In the sweltering heat of the Sinai desert, Moses was anxious and troubled about his ability to lead the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. He kept coming up with excuse after excuse regarding his weaknesses, until God asks, “What is that in your hand?” God’s question shifts Moses’ attention away from his anxieties to what God had put right in front of him. God showed Moses, that he could use an ordinary staff to perform miracles for unbelieving people. As Moses followed God’s directive, his own trust in God increased, and so did the miracles that God was able to perform through him….
Thank you God!
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8: 3-4
Father, when I consider the vast universe you have created, the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth with its rich vegetation, the deep mysterious forests, the majestic blue ocean, the lakes and rivers teeming with sea-life, the birds of the air, and the vast array of animals of every size and color, what indeed is humanity that you care for us?
Thank you for creating us in your image (Genesis 1:27), and what a wondrous, incomparable image it is, this body, this mind and this soul uniquely constructed to glorify you. Thank you, Lord, for placing us a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), and yet denying us nothing, and instead elevating us to a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), to friends (John 15:15) and to co-heirs of the Kingdom (Romans 8:17).
Thank you, Lord, for the hard times, the lean times, and the mean times because they cause us to wait on you and trust in you. We thank you for the heartaches, the tears, the persecutions, the confusion and doubt, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance, perseverance; character, and character, hope (James 1:3-5).
Thank you, Almighty God, for the good times, the joyful times, and the bounteous times because they cause us to praise you and testify to your goodness. You alone, are our sun and shield. Thank you for favor and honor, for open doors, for health, for purpose, for family, for friends and for love. No good thing will you withhold from those who walk blameless before you (Psalm 84:11).
And when we feel unworthy Father, remind us yet again, not for what we have done or not done, but only for what he has done for us. This wonderful Jesus, loving us, while we were yet sinners, freely giving up his life for us, that we might be reconciled forever to you, through the shedding of his blood, and the forgiveness of our sins.
Today, I just want to say, “Thank you!” Amen.
He Is
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:13
His name is El Shaddai-The Lord God Almighty; He is Adonai-The Lord, our Master; He is Jehovah Nissi-The Lord My Banner; He is Jehovah Raah-The Lord My Shepherd; He is Jehovah Rapha-The Lord that Heals; He is Jehovah Shammah-The Lord who is There; He is Jehovah Tsidkenu-The Lord Our Righteousness; He is Jehovah Jireh-The Lord Who Provides; He is Jehovah Sabaoth-The Lord of Hosts. He is all these things and more.
Some call him, Wonderful, others Counselor, some just call him Lord and Savior. He defies description, he breaks through boundaries, he transverses cultures, he is simply, the Great “I AM.” The One who declares himself the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is worthy of worship and of adoration. All praise belongs to him.
Today, bow down and worship him in the beauty of his holiness; worship him because he is glorious; worship him because he is a good, kind, generous and faithful God. Adore him, for he alone is God, he alone is worthy, he alone is majestic over all the earth.
So, call on that powerful name, YAHWEH! There’s no other name by which humanity will be saved. YAHWEH, YAHWEH, YAHWEH, let your kingdom come. Amen.
The Power of One
Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
Exodus 3:13
How often have you heard the phrase, “But I’m just one person?” Too often, Christians shy away from an important task or responsibility because we don’t see the difference one person’s effort will make in a situation, especially when it is a complex one. Sadly, many of the world’s problems are complex and overwhelming. Think about poverty, illiteracy, human trafficking, corruption and all manner of injustice. How can one person make a dent in these?
In Exodus 3, Moses was facing a complex problem. He had many years earlier killed an Egyptian soldier before he fled from Pharaoh’s court to the Midian. Now God was sending him back to Egypt to free the children of Israel from Pharaoh’s oppressive rule. Who was going to believe him? To those who had witnessed the deed, he was the individual who had committed murder and then ran away. How could anything he said make a difference? Moses needed assurance, and just like that, God gave it to him. And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” In other words, God had chosen Moses for this task, and God was going to give him all that he needed to accomplish the task. God spoke of a future that Moses could not yet envision.
Dear friend, you may be sitting on the fence undecided about whether you should do something you feel called to do. You may be wondering whether to pursue a new calling on your life. You might be confused and afraid because the world has trained you to think one way, and God’s way appears contrary; it offers less certainty and higher risk. It’s the road less travelled. I want you to know that the same God who gave Moses the assurance he needed, is ready to give you the assurance you need. As the Psalmist confidently declares, “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others (Psalm 25:3).
You have every reason to be afraid. The task is too big for you, and you are incapable of putting a dent in it, in fact you are completely unqualified for it. But just as he came through for Moses, God will come through for you if you put your trust in him. For the Bible says, “When you are weak, he is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10); you are finite, but he is infinite (2 Chronicles 2:6); you are fickle, but he is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). And he is all you need for this thrilling new journey. He will supply all that you need to accomplish the calling upon your life. He will equip you for this responsibility. Moses chose to trust God and go back to Egypt despite his insecurities and we know the outcome of his choice. How about you, “What will you choose to do?” Indeed, “What do you plan to do?”
Father in heaven, l honor you today. Lead me and guide me in this decision. I will obey you and follow you, for I know that your word is true. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Peace, Be Still
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"
Mark 4:39
Our current world is fraught with danger; fraught with rumors; fraught with worry and all manner of ugliness and confusion. I would even dare say; a perfect storm is brewing. It is easy to get carried away by the sludge; it is easy to get immune to the wickedness. It is easy to want to withdraw from it all and pretend, “sanity” will return. It is quite easy to normalize this corrosive, oppressive, unsound and ungodly environment. But this is not our resting place.
When the disciples found themselves in a similar predicament, they woke Jesus up. When the storm threatened to overwhelm them, they knew exactly whom to run to. They did not WhatsApp their kin, they did not send a tweet to their neighbor and they did not call their friends on the phone to talk about the ridiculousness of it all. Instead, they woke Jesus up; they went directly to the solution giver, because he was the only answer to their problem.
Dear friend, do you feel like you are sinking? Does this fast-paced, name-calling, ridiculous- tweeting, 24-hour breaking news cycle world overwhelm you? Do you feel as though you are in a life-threatening storm? It’s time to run to him and wake him up! It’s time to bombard the gates of heaven, and seek his intervention.
When the disciples sought his help, Jesus spoke to the waves and calmed the storm. He commanded, “Quiet! Be still!” He can do so again. Sometimes, however, depending on his purposes, he may not calm the storm, the waves may get worse. But if you wake him up, you will feel better knowing that his alert, all-knowing and all-powerful presence is right there with you. And as the Psalmist says, “Those who trust in the LORD, are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Psalm 125:1).
Dear Heavenly Father, All-Mighty and Everlasting King, we need you. We need your presence; we need your word; we need your wisdom and your guidance for these unsettling times. Give us a sense of urgency, so that we will do your good works, while there is still daylight. Most of all, Loving Master, give us your peace which endures despite the storm. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
God Opened Her Eyes
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So, she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
Genesis 21: 19
If you walk down the main streets of many modern cities in the world, you will notice beautiful, bold, well-designed and well-constructed buildings. You will notice the well-coiffed, collared, and well-heeled individuals who hurry about with their briefcases and important looking binders. Quite often you will also notice the panhandlers who lurk in the shadows of all this worldly success, and place themselves strategically at street corners, begging for pennies and handouts, day in and day out, stuck in the rut of poverty and squalor, going nowhere fast. Why?
Sadly, this is how many Christians live. That’s right! Many believers live like paupers in the shadows of heaven’s bounty, when they should live like kings and queens and heirs to the Kingdom of heaven. John 10:10b reminds us, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” But instead of this abundant life, we settle for crumbs that fall off the world’s table; a little plaque with a title, a promotion that is here today but could be gone tomorrow, a few extra dollars that don’t quite cover the inflation rate…you get the drift. Why?
Genesis 21: 19, reveals the story of Hagar and her son. They were in the wilderness and her son was about to die of thirst. Hagar had searched everywhere but could not find water. Water was essential for keeping both mother and son alive. Amid this unfolding tragedy, something shocking happened, God opened her eyes and she saw a well. The amazing thing is that God did not create the well, it had been there all along, but Hagar did not see it, until she began to search diligently, desperate to save her life and that of her child, only then did God open her eyes, so that she saw life, in a place where only death had beckoned earlier.
Dear friend, Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us that, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Hebrews 11: 6 further states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” Don’t settle for crumbs in the wilderness. Don’t settle for things that thieves, can steal, kill and destroy. Don’t settle for blessings that only affect you. Don’t set your bar that low. Instead, be a Hagar, get desperate! And if you must pursue anything, pursue the Water of Life, Jesus Christ Himself. Just as he responded to Hagar’s desperation, he will respond to your desperation. He will open your eyes so that you will be able to see the abundant opportunities that surround you. You will see the endless possibilities that lead to living life in the shadows of heaven’s bounty. And when you do, this is his firm promise to you, that if you “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” then “all these things shall be given unto you.” When you receive these blessings, you will become a conduit of blessing to others. Hagar thrived and saved her son’s life in the process because she placed her hope in God; and you will become a source of greater blessing to others, if you do likewise. Aim higher; he is worth it!
Loving and gracious God, forgive me for settling for crumbs in this wilderness. Teach me how to aim higher. Manifest yourself in me, that I might truly understand, that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Stir up within my heart, a hunger and thirst for you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
The Hand of God
"Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Happy New Year to you! Dear friend, despite the highs and the lows of 2017, you made it! That took more than mere luck or wishful thinking. It took the hand of God. More than 3, 400 years ago, Joshua was about to lead the people of God into the promised land. Joshua was uncertain of the outcome; his responsibilities were enormous, and the task was dangerous. He was afraid and needed a little encouragement for the journey. God’s word came to him, assuring him that the hand of God would be in the details of his life, “Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
A new year is an exciting occasion, as evidenced by all the New Year parties, the countdowns and fireworks around the world. 2018 is no different, and yet the new year comes with lots of questions: Will the marriage improve? Will the family dysfunction be resolved? Will I stay with my old employer or find a new job? Will the politics and the economy improve? Will I lose the extra weight this year….? Once again, God speaks into this swirling cyclone of fear and doubt saying, ““Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
Child of God, celebrate him and his faithfulness. His hand has been weaving the details of your life from before your conception (Jeremiah 1:5) and he will never stop. He encourages you to trust him, lean on him and submit to him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6). Whatever happens in 2018 will not happen by chance. God is completely in control and he will not depart from your side (Psalm 121:8). Enter the new year with full confidence knowing that he who has begun this good work in you will bring it to completion, in his own way and in his own time (Philippians 1:6). Have a truly blessed New Year, and may his hand of blessing and guidance rest on you in 2018!
Almighty God, who was, who is and who will come to judge the living and the dead, may your name be praised throughout the earth for who you are, for what you have done, and for what you continue to do for your children. Thank you for your presence in the lives of your people, and particularly in my life. Because of your unfailing love, I will not be afraid or discouraged. What can mere mortals do to me (Psalm 118:6)? I am placing my hand in your hand, Spirit of God, lead me into 2018. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Highly Favored!
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:28
Many of us understand what it means to be favored. It means that we receive special attention from someone, and usually for something that we have done or for something we represent. Well performing athletes for instance, are highly favored by coaches looking to build a winning team. Beautiful women are favored by agents looking to sign up attractive models or actresses but most of the human population expect to be ordinary, and perhaps Mary felt ordinary too, until God interrupted her ordinary life.
There was nothing particularly outstanding about Mary. She was a young teenager, living in an obscure village. She was female and thus relegated to a lower station in Jewish society at that time, and she was unmarried; betrothed to a lowly carpenter, named Joseph, not Brad Pitt or George Clooney, just Joseph. But the angel of the Lord visits her and declares words that forever change her history and her station in life, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary had done nothing extraordinary to deserve this favor; she had no special talent that set her apart from all the other young women in her village, but there was something about Mary, that attracted the God of the universe to her, and that something was the fear of the Lord.
The Bible says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Beloved, if you are feeling ordinary this Christmas season, I want you to know you are already highly favored because God’s attention is on you. Christmas comes as a reminder, that God favors ordinary (Luke 4: 18-19). If you feel like you’ve been left out or locked out socially, emotionally, psychologically, financially or even spiritually, look to God, seek his face and walk in the fear of the LORD. He alone has the power to turn your ordinary into extraordinary this season. Christmas is the declaration that humanity is highly favored; so favored in fact that even though you and I may not have done anything particularly outstanding, even though we were steeped in sin, God was willing to divest himself of his divinity, take on the full likeness of humanity, and be born in a humble stable so that we might inherit an extraordinary legacy, as heirs to the Kingdom of heaven, through him.
This Christmas, you may not receive a special gift from any special someone; and you may not be favored for your looks or for your talent, but celebrate the season anyway, because he has already given you the greatest and most priceless gift of all, his presence through the Holy Spirit. Christmas is the reminder, that you are highly favored and that your life will never be the same again. Christmas is the reminder that he is with you, and that he will never leave you nor forsake you. Christmas is the reminder that what the world considers ordinary is extraordinary in God’s eyes because of what Jesus Christ has done.
Loving God, thank you for the gift of Christmas. I rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus has come. Give me the joy, faith and wisdom of Mary that I might celebrate God among us without reservation or hindrance. Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life, create in me a clean heart that I might abide in your shadow forever. Amen.
Emmanuel-God With Us!
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:5
As Christmas approaches we are reminded once again, that our God “Emmanuel,” came down from heaven, and dwelt among us. He did not come as a conquering King, but as a baby, weak and defenseless. Yet unbeknownst to the wise men and the shepherds, in that lowly manger, lay both the Presence and the Power of God. God was with us, that quiet, starlit night, and he was about to radically change his relationship to humankind!
That same Presence and Power has continued to dwell with God-fearing men and women through the ages. For instance, despite his human limitations, God chose to work through Moses, in setting the Israelites free from Egypt. When Moses hesitated at the great responsibility before him (Exodus 4:10), God responded with these words, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” In other words, I will be with you; I will dwell with you.
After Moses, came Joshua. Understandably, Joshua felt intimidated by Moses’ legacy. How could he possibly live up to Moses’ legacy as a leader? But God comforts Joshua with these words, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you!" Once again, God promises his Presence and Power to Joshua.
More than 400 years later, a young woman wrestling with her inadequacies and human limitations, would voice her concern, and disbelief that she would be the mother of Jesus. “How will this be, “… “since I am a virgin (Luke 1:34)?” And once again, God answers, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Simply put, I will be with you and will dwell within you.
God’s words for Moses, Joshua, Mary and many stalwarts of the faith are also for us today. You may be the most ordinary, unconnected, unrecognizable person on the planet, but you serve a great God, and he is able to do extraordinary things through you too, if you would just say “Yes.” This great God is not just with you, and within you, but he is also for you, so that whatever you do in his name, you are on the winning team and no one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.
Beloved, let this Christmas be a reminder that he came for you (yes, inexperienced, unconnected, and ordinary you), and he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Acknowledge his Presence and Power within you and go do exploits for the Kingdom (Daniel 11:32), as you continue the work that helps transform his relationship to humanity. Time is running out, so give the gift that matters. He is coming soon!
Loving God, I acknowledge you Presence and Power within me. You are the God that is always with me, within me and for me. Fill me with that sense of urgency that drives me to do your will, while there is yet time. Present me with opportunities today, to give the gift that matters. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Run Your Race!
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
Every runner knows that running a good race, takes discipline and hard work. Among other things, a runner needs good nutrition, sufficient rest and practice, practice, practice. Without these building blocks, one may as well take a seat on the grandstand and watch. There’s another secret ingredient to winning a race, when the starting gun goes off and the race has begun, focus on the finish line, no matter what happens, keep your eyes on the prize. That’s the end goal. Avoid the temptation to look sideways or backwards at the other competitors. They have their own race to run, and that mini-second glance, will only distract you from executing your own race. It could even cost you the prize. Ignore the roar of the crowd; ignore their taunts too. This is not about them, it is about you and the goal ahead of you. There’s a lane on this earth, marked out just for you. Find it, and run your race.
Towards the end of Paul’s life, he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Is Paul referring to three different activities? Of course not! Just one; he is talking about his divine race of faith. Paul reveals that this faith is worth fighting for; it is worth completing; and it is worth keeping to the end of life. Many are the saints who have lost their lives throughout the centuries for this faith. In the foreword to Christine Caine’s book, “Unstoppable (2014),” Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv writes, that running this race “involves faith, perseverance and possibly even danger.” On many occasions, Paul faced danger and rejection (Acts 9: 15-16; 1 Corinthians 15: 30-32; 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12; 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28), but he kept his eyes on the prize, and he finished his race.
How about you? Are you running, the race you were born to win? Are you moving towards the finish line at the pace God intended for you, or have you been side-tracked and distracted by the whistles and catcalls of the spectators? Have you slowed down to pick up the souvenirs the crowds have thrown at your feet? Or have you checked out of your lane because of the strains, the pains, the frustrations and exhaustion that have come upon you. Paul did not cave in despite the exhaustion, and the danger he encountered along the way. And if he could push through under those circumstances, we can do no less.
Now get this, you are not running alone. You are part of a divine relay. There are others who are waiting for you to hand off that spiritual baton. So, run my friend, with the Holy Spirit fueling your fire and desire to fight and win. Run, with your eyes focused on Jesus who is waiting at the finish line, as heaven’s grandstand cheers you on. Whatever, you may be facing today, don’t let it distract you from the goal. God is able to handle everything that concerns you. Cast your burden on him, then get back in your lane, and run your race. And as you run, remember these encouraging words from Hebrew 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Loving God, you have brought me this far, and I will not go back. Give me the strength to run my race without fear of persecution. I know that those who trust in you will never be put to shame. I commit all the other runners to you, protect them and guide them in their race. Thank you for the victory that is already ours, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Let Us Pray
After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Mark 6:46
If anyone had a reason not to pray, it was Jesus. After all he was God incarnate and had foreknowledge regarding all things. He knew the outcomes of events and circumstances and still he prayed. Jesus was known to pray early in the morning (Mark 1:35); he was known to pray at night, sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). Jesus was known to pray before important events such as his baptism (Luke 3: 21-22) and after important achievements, such as when he healed the woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5: 30). Jesus even prayed before he ate (Matthew 14:19). In other words, Jesus prayed all the time. He prayed without ceasing.
How is your prayer life? Does it measure up? I must admit, mine doesn’t. Sometimes I am too tired to pray, sometimes the day is jam-packed, and the thing that goes out the window is prayer. But here’s the challenging thing, Jesus prayed without ceasing, even when his day was jam-packed, and he even prayed when he was weary. And because he prayed, success followed Jesus wherever he went, while the disciples often experienced failure (James, John, Peter and Judas etc..) because they did not pray. Believing prayer made the difference. Jack Hayford once wrote, “If we don’t, he won’t.” And John Wesley said, “God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer.”
So, pray we must. We cannot afford not to. Satan understands the power we have through prayer and will do everything he can to trip us up and mess us up so there is no time left to pray. Has your prayer life felt weak lately? There’s a reason for that, your breakthrough is close, so lean in and ask that the Holy Spirit would help you to pray. You must ask, believing that God wants to work in those areas of your life where Satan seems to be succeeding. You must seek, believing that he will lead you to discover the deeper secrets of his word. And you must knock, believing that you will overcome any obstacle standing between you and God’s provision for you. Pray without ceasing, knowing that it is the Father’s delight to make a gift to you of his overruling power (Luke 12:32).
Wonderful Father, thank you for your readiness to release your overruling power in my life whenever I pray. Holy Spirit come, help me to pray according to the Father’s will, so that I might experience spiritual success, even as Jesus did. Amen.
Thank you God!
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8: 3-4
Father, when I consider the vast universe you have created, the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth with its rich vegetation, the deep mysterious forests, the majestic blue ocean, the lakes and rivers teeming with sea-life, the birds of the air, and the vast array of animals of every size and color, what indeed is humanity that you care for us?
Thank you for creating us in your image (Genesis 1:27), and what a wondrous, incomparable image it is, this body, this mind and this soul uniquely constructed to glorify you. Thank you, Lord, for placing us a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), and yet denying us nothing, and instead elevating us to a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), to friends (John 15:15) and to co-heirs of the Kingdom (Romans 8:17).
Thank you, Lord, for the hard times, the lean times, and the mean times because they cause us to wait on you and trust in you. We thank you for the heartaches, the tears, the persecutions, the confusion and doubt, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance, perseverance; character, and character, hope (James 1:3-5).
Thank you, Almighty God, for the good times, the joyful times, and the bounteous times because they cause us to praise you and testify to your goodness. You alone, are our sun and shield. Thank you for favor and honor, for open doors, for health, for purpose, for family, for friends and for love. No good thing will you withhold from those who walk blameless before you (Psalm 84:11).
And when we feel unworthy Father, remind us yet again, not for what we have done or not done, but only for what he has done for us. This wonderful Jesus, loving us, while we were yet sinners, freely giving up his life for us, that we might be reconciled forever to you, through the shedding of his blood, and the forgiveness of our sins.
This Thanksgiving, I just want to say, “Thank you!” Amen.
Wait for Him
…for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
Waiting for anything can be very difficult. Waiting can make us uncomfortable, impatient, sluggish and complacent (as in the case of the foolish virgins), but waiting can also heighten our anticipation. If you’ve ever tried to wait for the stock market to go up, or for the price of your favorite car to come down, or for your baby or grandbaby to be born or for grass to grow, then you know what I mean.
The believers in Thessalonica were young and impatient. They were also experiencing persecution and were wondering, when Jesus would return. They also had pressing questions about what would happen to their loved ones at death. And while they waited, they tried to figure out the exact time of Christ’s return. Paul reaches out to them, to let them know, that all their guessing was futile. Christ’s return was as inevitable as the birth of a child, once labor pains have begun. Paul tells them to understand the season they were living in and what it pointed to.
Dear friend, do you understand your season? Do you know what the signs in our world point to? Are you waiting for something and wondering why it is taking so long? Could it be that like the Thessalonians you are wondering how much longer you must put up with the craziness of this world? Are you wondering whether Jesus will ever return? God’s word reminds us that Jesus will return suddenly, like a thief in the night. Matthew 24: 40-41, reminds us that “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
If Christ’s return is inevitable, then understand the signs and get ready. Don’t worry about the date or time. Get ready. He has called us to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5: 13); the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus died for us, so that awake or asleep, we will be reconciled to him and live with him. He’s taken care of his part? Have you taken care of yours? Are you ready for his return?
Heavenly Father, here I am waiting for you. I welcome your presence into my life now, even as I wait for the fullness of your return. Help me, by the power of your Spirit, to be a faithful ambassador of your word; a wise steward of your gifts and a compassionate friend to your people. In Jesus; name I pray, Amen.
Jesus: The Light of the World!
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Light is a powerful resource. Light helps crops to grow through the process of photosynthesis. We use light (fire) to cook food for our nourishment. Light illuminates our way on a dark night. Light brings beauty to any setting. Light bestows a sense of hope and wellbeing to humanity. It would be difficult to do life without light.
Yet there can be no light without a power source. Natural light comes from the sun; artificial light comes from a socket. Each connection must be secure for the light to come through. Heavy clouds will block the sunlight, while a loose socket will hinder electricity from flowing through, in fact it could endanger life.
In John 8:12 Jesus declares, “I am the Light of the world.” The Pharisees found this statement baffling and even blasphemous. They did not understand what Jesus meant. With the “I am…” Jesus was declaring that he is the power source; he is the ultimate response to any dark situations you may face; he is the only answer and the only hope that humanity should look to, to illuminate the way.
Beloved, amid this dark world, that seems to be getting darker with each passing day, look no further than Jesus, the Light of the world. Plug into this source securely, because plugging in loosely will endanger your soul. Many will not understand your faith stance; don’t worry about them. They will think you are weak and naïve. Pray for them. They will find your faith baffling, just as the Pharisees found Jesus’ declaration baffling. Continue to lift Jesus’ name up so that many will be drawn to him.
If you are facing a dark situation today, all you need to remember, to illuminate your way is that, on that dark day on the cross at Calvary, Jesus’ death brought life and light to a broken world. Only he could do that. Today, he alone brings life and light to your broken life. He desires that you follow him in thought, in word, and in deed and you will never walk in darkness, because his light will completely saturate your life and deliver his peace to you. Jesus, has declared, “I am the light of the world.” Nothing and no-one can change that!
Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son, to be the Light of the world. Thank you for his death and resurrection which has given me victory over sin and death. Holy Spirit, help me to plug in securely into the Power Source so I can be light in this darkened and darkening world. Amen.
The Lion of Judah
Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed.
Revelation 5:5
A few years ago, my son and I visited the Nairobi Game Reserve in Kenya, where we came across all kinds of animals, among them the magnificent lion. We noted that there were four lions laying idly on rocks, seemingly unaware of the crowds mulling around the fenced enclosures with camera’s. I remember, having a tightness in my stomach, the result of the nerves that gripped me at being that close to such a powerful animal. I held tightly to my son’s tiny hand, so that he would not go too close to the fence surrounding the lions. Deep inside, I knew that despite the fence, my internal system was tuned to “RUN!”
You see, despite the mild nature of those lions, I knew they were dangerous creatures. I had been taught in elementary school, that lions are the king of the jungle. One roar is enough to send a whole village diving for cover. An encounter with a lion is often fatal. The lion fears nothing, but is feared by everyone. Even the other animals know their place in the presence of a lion. And that morning, I knew my place in that National Reserve.
The Bible refers to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Often, he may seem as though he is doing absolutely nothing. There may be times when he may appear to be absent or even harmless. There are those who mock him as a figment of the imagination of people with weak minds; others consider him not as LORD, but as one of the many gods that they can choose to worship. Even his arrival on this earth as a baby, has led many to believe that he is harmless and the crowds at the cross mocked him, because he seemed defeated. And there might be times in your life when you wonder, “Why is he so quiet, so ineffective; Why can’t he do something!!!!” Perhaps that time is now.
I want you to know dear friend, that in the presence of the Lion of Judah, the enemy knows his place. His internal system is tuned to "RUN" at the presence of the Lord. The enemy knows more than you do, about the King of Heaven. The enemy understands that the Lion of Judah has already prevailed; that at his name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD. Satan is not fooled when Christ appears mild-mannered, instead he is terrified! And he is terrified of you too because he knows of the power that lives in you; power that caused Jesus to rise from the grave. Today, take up your authority in Jesus Christ and declare to the enemy God’s promises for your life. And as you do, listen carefully to the sounds of victory as the Lion of Judah roars for you. And let that roar remind you he has already prevailed on your behalf in any situation you are facing, or will ever face.
Loving God, thank you for the victory I have in you. Thank you for the reminder that the battle is not mine, but yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Abandoned, Yet Held
Then he returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.
Matthew 26:40
Have you ever felt abandoned? Have your friends or family members ever failed to show up in your hour of need? If we are honest, it happens more frequently than we would like to admit. When we feel abandoned it is not a pleasant experience. As a matter of fact it is painful. Sometimes it may lead us to react with sadness, anger, or even with a “who cares” attitude.
In Matthew 26:40, Jesus was entering a critical stage in God’s divine plan for humanity. The hour was dark and he was praying in the garden at Gethsemane. If anyone needed prayer support, it was Jesus. If anyone needed morale support, it was Jesus. His mantle was heavy, his soul was consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Jesus was about to be crucified and in his hour of greatest need, he found himself alone.
Where were his friends at the critical hour? Where were the disciples who had kept him company over the past three years of ministry? Where were the brothers and witnesses who had watched him teach the crowds with divine authority, heal the sick, feed the hungry, and resurrect the dead to life? They were sleeping, and completely disconnected from his need. As Jesus labored in the garden, agonizing over what was about to happen to him, those that should have been faithful to him; those that knew him best, were missing in action. Three times Jesus checked on them, and three times, he found them sleeping. That’s harsh!
But beloved of the Lord, if Jesus, who is God incarnate was abandoned by his followers; if he who loved us while we were yet sinners was let down by those closest to him, you will too. Don’t be surprised if family members, friends or other believers let you down. You will be abandoned not just once, but repeatedly. That's the bad news.
Now here is the good news. In his hour of greatest need, Jesus turned to the ONE who would never leave him nor forsake him. This same faithful God is available to you. He will strengthen you when you are weak. He will comfort you when you are disappointed. He will be your companion in your hour of darkness. He will give you peace when others desert you. You don’t need an attitude. You need God. As Jeremy Camp sings in his song, Give Me Jesus:
Give me Jesus; Give me Jesus
You can have all this world;
Just give me Jesus
If you have Jesus, you have all you will ever need. Hold on to him, he will never abandon you. You are safe in Him.
Father, I want more of you. You are my shelter and my hiding place. I know that in this world I will find trouble, but I am running to you, because you have overcome the world. Let my spirit find rest in your love. Amen.
Your Safe Place
(This devotion is from Our Daily Bread)
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
My daughter and I were arranging to attend an extended family gathering. Because she was nervous about the trip, I offered to drive. “Okay. But I feel safer in my car. Can you drive it?” she asked. I assumed she preferred her more spacious vehicle to my compact one so I responded, “Is my car too cramped?” “No, it’s just that my car is my safe place. Somehow I feel protected there.”
Her comment challenged me to consider my own personal “safe place.” Immediately I thought of Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” In Old Testament times, the walls and watchtower of a city provided warning of danger from without and shielding for its citizens within. The writer’s point is that God’s name, which stands for His character, person, and everything that He is, provides true protection for His people.
Certain physical places promise longed-for safety in moments that seem dangerous. A sturdy roof overhead in the midst of a storm. A hospital offering medical care. The embrace of a loved one.
What is your “safe place”? Wherever we seek safety, it is God’s presence with us in that place that provides the strength and protection we really need.
Dear God, thank You that no matter what worries and concerns we have today, when we think about You, we find safety in Your presence.
Angels in Charge
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…
Psalm 91:11
In her book of Bible illustrations, Ruth Peters re-tells the story of a little boy who asked his mother if he could take his baby sister out to play. She had just begun to walk alone and could not step over anything that lay in the way. His mother said, “Yes, if you’ll be careful not to not let her fall.” The man who originally tells this story says, I found them at play, very happy, in the field. I said, “You seem to be very happy, George. Is this your sister?” “Yes sir,” he replied. “Can she walk alone?” “Yes sir, on smooth ground.” “Then how did she walk over those big stones between here and the house?” “Well, mother told me to be careful she didn’t fall, so I put my hands under her arms and lifted her up when she came to a stone so she wouldn’t hit her foot against it.”
Beloved, the Bible declares that whoever trusts in God, whoever makes God their dwelling place, will be secure in him. Trusting in God is more than mental assent, it is more than going to church and engaging in Bible study, it is even more than giving to the poor. Trusting in God means living a life of absolute dependence and commitment to God, even when one’s life is falling apart. It is daring to live a life that causes people to ask questions about the God you serve. It is daring to believe that he will save you from the pit of fire; it is daring to believe that God will rescue you from the lion’s den; it is daring to believe that God’s promises for you will come to pass at whatever age he so pleases to fulfill them.
When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, God commanded his angels to guard him then. This same Almighty and loving God who watched over Jesus as he was tempted, will watch over you and will give his angels charge over every aspect of your life today. The angels assigned by God will bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone. But just as Jesus trusted in God’s word in that wilderness, you must trust in God’s word for you in your wilderness. You must trust that God’s word for you is true even when everything inside of you is screaming for you to let go of him.
Like the little boy and his sister, God’s angels will be there to lift you up over the stony parts of life, lest you dash your foot. Remember that as you shelter in God, he has charged his angels to lead and lift you over every difficulty that you are facing or will ever face. You are not alone; you will never be alone; take shelter in Him.
Sheltering God, thank you for your loving presence which offers me protection from every difficulty I could ever face. Thank you for the assurance that your angels are with me in the pit of fire and in the lion's den, and in whatever else I might confront today. I ascribe majesty, glory and honor to you only, because you are worthy. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
When it Doesn't Work
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Job 13:15
What’s a believer to do when Christianity doesn’t seem to work? What’s a believer to do when pain, disappointment, depression, financial hardship, illness, persecution and a host of other problems invade one’s life? What’s a believer to do when praying, confessing of sin, fasting and holding on to the word, appear to make no difference to the current struggle? What indeed is a believer to do when all our Christian formulas fall flat?
Many heroes in the Bible found themselves confronting similar dilemmas; among them Job. If anyone had the short end of the stick, he did. Yet even in the throes of his suffering, Job held on to hope, and would not curse God. Job continued to nurture his faith in God even as his problems mounted, and even as his wife and friends encouraged him to take matters into his own hands, by cursing God and dying. In God’s time, faith won and his struggle was vanquished.
Job’s story reminds me of a story I once heard. It is the story of an Eskimo who owned two husky dogs that he had trained as fighters. He would roam from village to village encouraging people to bet on the dogfights he staged., One dog was darker than the other, so he took turns betting on either the lighter or darker husky to win each match. Somehow, he always picked the winning dog and reaped huge profits. Finally, someone asked him, “How do you always know which dog will win?” The Eskimo replied, “Whichever dog I am feeding is the one that will win,” he replied.
As you confront life’s challenges this week, what will you feed? Fear, anger, or disappointment? When the formulas fail you, what will you feed? Job teaches us to feed faith, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” Amid your struggle, choose to defend God’s goodness, his love and his mercy toward you. Let those who bet on your demise be put to shame. As the prophet Isaiah reminds you, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1).” He who created you, is always for you, even in the deepest, thickest darkness.
Jesus, remind me each day, not to walk by sight or by feelings, but by your Spirit. Destroy all the false formulas that I have embraced and teach me to trust only in your word. Remind me today, that greater is he that is on me than he that is in the world. I declare my problems are defeated through the blood of Jesus Christ, my LORD and my Savior, Amen.
God Listened-God Listens
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.” God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.
Judges 13:8-9
With all the shocking news headlines bombarding us each day, it is becoming difficult to find anyone who will stop and listen. It seems that everyone has an opinion about everyone and about everything. Civil discourse has become an ancient relic of yesterday, and listening has become an abandoned art from the past, left lying crumpled on the noisy highway of modernity.
The arena of listeners may be barren but God still listens. He listened in the days of the ancient Fathers and he listens today. When Manoah received word that his barren wife was soon to be with child, he prayed to God seeking instruction on how to raise the child and God listened (Judges 13:9). Manoah said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born (vs. 8).” And despite what seems like unbelief, God sent the angel a second time to confirm his instruction to Manoah and his wife. This same God is in control of everything concerning you. You don’t need someone else’s opinion on the matter and you don’t need to be anxious about it either. Go ahead and tell God about your problems, because he is listening and he wants to hear from you. He is ready to confirm his promises concerning you during your barren situation. He is ready to cut through the noise to get through to you.
Others may be too busy with their barren situations and with their opinion-sharing to truly listen to you, and you may be too consumed with unbelief to hear him, but fear not, God says in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In other words, amid all the mean tweets and the noisiness of the airwaves; amid the roaring winds of hurricanes, rumblings of earthquakes and terrors of falling mountains; amid the cracking foundations of marriages and mutinous sounds of teenage rebellion; amid every barren situation and environment of unbelief, amid every disconcerting sound and unnerving movement in our modern lives, God is listening.
God is listening for the sound of your heart, as you open up to him and to his Holy Word. God is listening for the sound of your voice, as you raise up your praise, your worship, your prayers and your petitions to his Holy throne. God is listening for the sound of your footsteps, as you move in obedience towards him in response to his call upon your life. And God is listening for the sound of your groaning spirit, as you prepare to give birth to his promise in you. God is listening because he cares deeply for you.
Heavenly Father, you listened to Manoah; you listened to Moses; you listened to Job, to Hannah, to Elijah and to the children of Israel, and I know beyond a shadow of doubt, you are listening to me and to all those who call upon you today in Spirit and in truth. I commit my situation to you and I thank you for your intervention by faith. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.