HUMBLE YOURSELF

'Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.' Luke 18:14 NLT

Jesus said: 'Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: "I thank you, God, that I am not like other people - cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income." But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, "O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." 

I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be exalted' (vv.10-14 NLT). You can appear to be the most devout person in church yet have a heart filled with pride. And the worst part is that you don't know it. For example, when you take all the credit for things God enabled you to accomplish and acquire, that's pride. When you compare yourself with others, that's pride. When you think you can do the will of God without the power of God, that's pride. When you exclude people who don't fit into your peer group or social circle, that's pride. And it will cost you, because 'God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.' (James 4:6 NIVUK).

So if you want to walk in His favour today, then humble yourself before Him.

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU'RE HERE?

 'He chose us.' Ephesians 1:4

When it comes to God's will for your life, He decides it, and you discover it. It's not something you can change, a topic for debate, or a plan you get to have a say in. The truth is, you can miss God's will and be miserable, or do things His way and experience 'glorious, inexpressible joy' (1 Peter 1:8 NLT). The choice is yours.

'But I don't know God's will for my life,' you say. Then pray this prayer: 'Father, I'm tired of going through life with no real purpose because it brings no glory to You. You created every living thing, including me, that they may bring You pleasure (see Revelation 4:11). I know that You have a specific job for me to do. Your Word says You formed me in the womb to be Your servant (see Isaiah 49:5). I'm getting lots of input from other people, but I need to know the path You have chosen for me. Help me to stop ignoring and minimising the gifts and talents You have invested in me, acting like they're of no significance. I know we are all called to serve, and I need Your help to discern who, where, when, and how I should serve. I want to do what You have destined me to do and not be sidetracked by wrong priorities, busywork, or other people's desires and demands.

At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and say, like Jesus, "I brought glory to You here on earth by doing everything You told me to" (see John 17:4). In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

FINDING COMMON GROUNDS

'I try to find common ground with everyone.' 1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

To influence someone, you must first connect with them. And to do that, you must look for common ground. Paul writes, 'I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.' 

In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases Paul's words: 'Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralised - whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!' (vv 19-23 MSG). Note the words 'I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view'. When it came to preaching the truth, Paul wouldn't yield an inch. But when it came to reaching and influencing people for Christ, he tried to remove every roadblock between them and Christ. And you must be willing to do the same. 

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. That's why you must approach them heart-first, not headfirst. Before someone can receive the truth you have to share, they must be convinced that you love and care for them. And that means finding common ground.

MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

'We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God.' Psalm 48:9 KJV

Hopefully, by now you are convinced that the power that comes from meditating on God's Word is a power you need working in your life. But maybe you're a beginner, and you need a starting point. You're thinking, 'Yes, I know I need to spend more time meditating on God's Word, but how do I do it? Here are a few ideas to get started;

1) Meditate on God's blessings. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits' (Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV). Meditation leads to a thankful heart.

2) Meditate on your relationship with God. 'You receive the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God' (Romans 8:15-16 NKJV). 

3) Meditate on God's love for you. 'Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me' (Psalm 63:3-8) NKJV).

You can meditate on God's promises to protect you, or guide you, or instruct you, or correct you, or bless you. The point is, you need to get started!

DO WHAT GOD SAYS

'The Lord came to Abram in a vision.' Genesis 15:1 NKJV

When God gives you a vision for your life, He doesn't give you all the details up front. He simply says, 'Don't be afraid; just do what I say, and I will guide you and prosper you.' 

What did Abram's vision involve? 'The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation' (Genesis 12:1-2 CEV). How old was Abram? 'Abram was seventy-five...when the Lord told him to leave the city of Haran' (Genesis 12:4 CEV). What was Abram leaving? 'Abram was very rich...and had a lot of silver and gold' (Genesis 13:1 CEV). How did Abram respond? 'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going' (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV). Abraham couldn't have told you where his final destiny was or how he would get there. He just knew God told him to leave the safe harbour of where he was. Understand this: what you're willing to walk away from often determines what God can entrust to you. You say, 'But I need to have information.' You will know as you go! 

With each step of faith you take, God will reveal another detail. He will inform you on a 'need-to-know' basis. So, is the God who said to Abram, 'Go to the land that I will show you,' saying something similar to you today? Don't be afraid; just step out in faith and obey Him.

PRAYING GOD'S PROMISES

'Let my teachings become part of you.' John 15:7 CEV

According to one count, there are 3,573 promises in the Bible. That's almost ten promises for each day of the year. When you know which of these promises apply to you, and you fulfil the conditions that go with them, you can literally begin to pray God's promises into existence in your life (see John 15:7). Will your prayers be answered overnight? Some will, others won't. 'Be ...followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises' (Hebrews 6:12 KJA). 

The most powerful prayer you can pray is, 'Lord, you promised in your Word that you would...and today I am praying and believing you for it.' Here is how to pray:

1) When you need guidance and direction. 'I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye' (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).

2) When you need deliverance from a situation, or to be set free from a habit. 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me' (Psalm 50:15 NKJV).

3) When you need the strength to stand. 'Fear not; for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand' (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV). 

4) When you don't have enough to meet your needs. 'My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

If you meditate in God's word every day, each time a need arises, you will know which of His promises to claim in prayer (see 2 Peter 1:4).

MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

'In His law he meditates day and night...and whatever he does shall prosper.' Psalm 1:2-3 NKJV

Thomas A Kempis wrote, 'If you wish to grow in yourself to be caught up in the workings of the world, you must find time alone, away from the noise and confusion, from the allure of power and wealth.' You say, 'Does that mean God doesn't want me setting goals and achieving things in life?' No, quite the opposite! 

The Bible says, 'In His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper' (vv.2-3 NKJV). What's the secret of a tree's fruitfulness? Having deep roots that are connected to life-giving streams of water. And as the demands on your time and energy become greater, you must discipline yourself to spend even more time in Scripture, not less. When your inner life is not in order, your outer life becomes dysfunctional and begins to fall apart. And working harder will only make it happen faster. You will be like the pilot who announced to his passengers, 'Folks, there is bad news and good news. The bad news is, our instrument failed, and we don't know where we're going. The good news is, we're making great time!' 

What's the answer? David says: 'I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and contemplate your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes; I will not forget your word' (Psalm 119:14-16 NKJV).