"The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and
worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne." - Rev.4: 10.
Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy. As I dwell on His
exceeding goodness, praise often immerges from my heart and cascades off
of my lips, for He alone is worthy of all my benefits.
We should never forget that it was the Father's extraordinary love that
called us out of darkness into the light so that we may know Him and His
fellowship. God, alone, opened our eyes so that we could see the
necessity of our salvation. It was the Lord, our Provider, who imparted
to us the Holy Spirit so that we would have everything we need to live a
life of godliness. God needs no one to accomplish His purposes. Still,
He continues to show us His love by giving each of us a spiritual gift
so that we can experience true joy as we serve Him and others.
While God graciously allows us to be co-laborers with Him, still, He
does it all. In the Master's hand, we are only tools for accomplishing
His kingdom purposes. It is the Lord, who independently gives us new
life, purifies, and re-creates us. Yet, there are times when we steal
God's glory. We steal His glory when we take credit for a job well done,
while failing to acknowledge Him. We steal God's glory when we proclaim
the success of our achievements, while knowing apart from Him anything
we do is insignificant. At times, it is easy to keep the blessings for
ourselves instead of offering them back to the One to whom they belong.
I'm reminded of the Israelites as they traveled the desert. They were
desperately dependant on God for all their needs. Throughout their
journey, the Lord graciously provided for them. Their clothes and shoes
never wore out, and He even fed them bread from heaven.
The Israelites were instructed by God to gather only enough bread to eat
for each day. However, instead of trusting God to provide their daily
bread, some of them gathered extra. The next morning, they found that
the bread had rotted and was unfit to eat. Our blessings are like that.
If we hoard them for ourselves, they will only rot.
While it's acceptable to cheer for and encourage one another, don't
forget to rejoice with the Father as well. Offer a sacrifice of praise
to God for your blessings, because the victory is His alone. When we
offer Him praise with a grateful heart, He'll continue to pour victories
through us as we acknowledge the Victor. Otherwise, we will end up with
rotten blessings.
The Bible says that when we seek the praise of others, we have already
received our reward. Yet, there is a day coming when Christ shall return
bringing our rewards with Him for the good works we've done. If we have
already received our reward from men, then we won't receive His.
Wouldn't you rather acquire His reward than anything man can offer? I
know that I would! Besides, when we see our Lord face to face in heaven,
it will be our desire to bow down before the One who sits on the throne,
and with praise on our lips and gratitude in our hearts, cast all our
crowns before Him; for He alone is worthy of all our benefits.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
CALLED TO CRAFTMANSHIP
"Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the
son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit
of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set
stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship." -
Exodus 31:1-5
Bezalel was called by God to perform a most important work for Him. I am
sure that Bezalel believed that he was naturally gifted with his hands
to make fine crafts with gold, silver, and bronze. He probably did not
associate it with God's work. But the Scripture tells us that God chose
him and filled him with God's Spirit to enable him.
Does God call men and women into their vocations to fulfill His purposes
- to fulfill that which needs to be accomplished throughout the world?
Have you ever thought about how many occupations there are in the world?
How did that balance of interest among each human throughout the world
happen? Did it just happen? Was it by chance that we have only so many
doctors, only so many accountants, only so many geologists?
Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. So many
workplace believers and even pastors have made the mistake of
encouraging us who have a deep desire to walk with Christ in the
workplace to pursue vocational ministry. To remove us from the workplace
where the greatest harvest is yet to occur would be to remove us from
where God called us. Do not take this bait. Serve the Lord in the
workplace where He has gifted you and called you.
Os Hillman said,"I almost made this same mistake when God drew me to Himself when I was 28 years old. I concluded that I must be called to be a pastor. I took
steps to fulfill this by leaving my job and entering a Bible school for
training. Upon completion, I took a job as an assistant pastor in a
church. But God's mercy allowed me to be removed from that position only
three months into it. I was "forced back into business," where God
wanted me in the first place. It was a great lesson. I was never cut out
to be a pastor in a church, but a "pastor" in the workplace."
son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit
of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set
stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship." -
Exodus 31:1-5
Bezalel was called by God to perform a most important work for Him. I am
sure that Bezalel believed that he was naturally gifted with his hands
to make fine crafts with gold, silver, and bronze. He probably did not
associate it with God's work. But the Scripture tells us that God chose
him and filled him with God's Spirit to enable him.
Does God call men and women into their vocations to fulfill His purposes
- to fulfill that which needs to be accomplished throughout the world?
Have you ever thought about how many occupations there are in the world?
How did that balance of interest among each human throughout the world
happen? Did it just happen? Was it by chance that we have only so many
doctors, only so many accountants, only so many geologists?
Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. So many
workplace believers and even pastors have made the mistake of
encouraging us who have a deep desire to walk with Christ in the
workplace to pursue vocational ministry. To remove us from the workplace
where the greatest harvest is yet to occur would be to remove us from
where God called us. Do not take this bait. Serve the Lord in the
workplace where He has gifted you and called you.
Os Hillman said,"I almost made this same mistake when God drew me to Himself when I was 28 years old. I concluded that I must be called to be a pastor. I took
steps to fulfill this by leaving my job and entering a Bible school for
training. Upon completion, I took a job as an assistant pastor in a
church. But God's mercy allowed me to be removed from that position only
three months into it. I was "forced back into business," where God
wanted me in the first place. It was a great lesson. I was never cut out
to be a pastor in a church, but a "pastor" in the workplace."
Friday, July 23, 2010
BEGINNING AGAIN FINANCIALLY
Have you ever wished you could "begin again" financially? I once heard
a sermon by a noted pastor in which he read a poem called "The Land of
Beginning Again." The pastor then presented the claims of Christ,
explaining that He is King in the Land of Beginning Again. Each of us
has experienced his share of errors, failures, and missed
opportunities.
We all have things that we would do differently if given a second
chance. What wonderful news to know that, in Christ, the slate is wiped
clean and we do have the opportunity of beginning again.
In a similar fashion, many who have become weighed down by debt wish
they could get free. They have learned that the satisfaction that comes
with spending is brief indeed compared to the pressure of making
monthly payments, which often go on for years. For some, it seems hopeless. You
may sometimes feel this way yourself.
If so, take heart! You can make great strides this year. It will
require planning, discipline, sacrifice, and singleness of purpose, but it can
be done!
A friend of mine likes to say that the most powerful force in the
universe (humanly speaking, of course) is singleness of purpose.
Individuals or groups, no matter how determined, disciplined, or
talented, will never realize their potential for growth and
accomplishment without singleness of purpose. Their time, money, and
energies must be focused on common goals. One thing that successful
people seem to have in common is an emphasis -- perhaps that's putting
it too lightly, make that an obsession -- concerning setting goals.
Without singleness of purpose and specific goals, we can become like
the person described in Scripture as double-minded. "That man should not
think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded
man,unstable in all he does" (James 1:7-8). So let me encourage you to
engage in a meaningful goal-setting exercise as you work to get
debt-free. Here are some suggestions for effective goal-setting in any
area of life; adapt them to your financial situation.
• Set goals that are consistent with God's Word. Many successful people
have accomplished much, yet remain unhappy. Having singleness of
purpose toward the wrong goals only leads to wrong results. Examine your
motivations, as well as your actions, in the light of God's wisdom.
• Ask God for His guidance. This is not the same as having Scripturally
sound goals. This has more to do with having the wisdom needed to set
the right personal priorities. God promises to guide us if we're
willing to submit to Him. It's not: "Show me Your will, Lord, so I can decide
if I'm willing." Rather, it's: "Before You even reveal Your will to me,
Lord, the answer is yes."
• If married, set your goals together. If two have become "one flesh,"
it's critical that they have a singleness of purpose in their
commitment toward common goals. Few areas will so quickly affect a couple's
relationship as a financial plan that limits their spending freedom
because it brings mutually conflicting goals into the open. If you
can't reach a meeting of the minds on what your priorities should be, perhaps
the marriage relationship itself needs some work.
• Put your goals in writing, signing your name and date. This act helps
cement in your thinking that you really have made a firm commitment of
your will to achieving your goals. It is also helpful to have your
goals posted where you will see them daily as additional motivation to stay
the course when the inevitable temptations to compromise arise.
a sermon by a noted pastor in which he read a poem called "The Land of
Beginning Again." The pastor then presented the claims of Christ,
explaining that He is King in the Land of Beginning Again. Each of us
has experienced his share of errors, failures, and missed
opportunities.
We all have things that we would do differently if given a second
chance. What wonderful news to know that, in Christ, the slate is wiped
clean and we do have the opportunity of beginning again.
In a similar fashion, many who have become weighed down by debt wish
they could get free. They have learned that the satisfaction that comes
with spending is brief indeed compared to the pressure of making
monthly payments, which often go on for years. For some, it seems hopeless. You
may sometimes feel this way yourself.
If so, take heart! You can make great strides this year. It will
require planning, discipline, sacrifice, and singleness of purpose, but it can
be done!
A friend of mine likes to say that the most powerful force in the
universe (humanly speaking, of course) is singleness of purpose.
Individuals or groups, no matter how determined, disciplined, or
talented, will never realize their potential for growth and
accomplishment without singleness of purpose. Their time, money, and
energies must be focused on common goals. One thing that successful
people seem to have in common is an emphasis -- perhaps that's putting
it too lightly, make that an obsession -- concerning setting goals.
Without singleness of purpose and specific goals, we can become like
the person described in Scripture as double-minded. "That man should not
think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded
man,unstable in all he does" (James 1:7-8). So let me encourage you to
engage in a meaningful goal-setting exercise as you work to get
debt-free. Here are some suggestions for effective goal-setting in any
area of life; adapt them to your financial situation.
• Set goals that are consistent with God's Word. Many successful people
have accomplished much, yet remain unhappy. Having singleness of
purpose toward the wrong goals only leads to wrong results. Examine your
motivations, as well as your actions, in the light of God's wisdom.
• Ask God for His guidance. This is not the same as having Scripturally
sound goals. This has more to do with having the wisdom needed to set
the right personal priorities. God promises to guide us if we're
willing to submit to Him. It's not: "Show me Your will, Lord, so I can decide
if I'm willing." Rather, it's: "Before You even reveal Your will to me,
Lord, the answer is yes."
• If married, set your goals together. If two have become "one flesh,"
it's critical that they have a singleness of purpose in their
commitment toward common goals. Few areas will so quickly affect a couple's
relationship as a financial plan that limits their spending freedom
because it brings mutually conflicting goals into the open. If you
can't reach a meeting of the minds on what your priorities should be, perhaps
the marriage relationship itself needs some work.
• Put your goals in writing, signing your name and date. This act helps
cement in your thinking that you really have made a firm commitment of
your will to achieving your goals. It is also helpful to have your
goals posted where you will see them daily as additional motivation to stay
the course when the inevitable temptations to compromise arise.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
BLAMELESS
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11
If you were running for political office, what approach would your
opponent take against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign,
would there be any ammunition for him to use? Think how you would feel
if the director of the opposing campaign came to you afterwards and
said, "Sir, we tried to find something negative to play up in our
campaign against you, but we couldn't."
What does it really mean to be a person who is blameless before God?
Being blameless before God does not mean we are perfect. No human being
is perfect. It means that we so fully trust in God that we are willing
to make things right when we fail. We are willing to humble ourselves
continually before the throne of God. "...blessed is the man who trusts
in You" (Psalm 84:12).
God has a specific plan for the people who fully trust in Him. He
promises to be their shield, to bestow honor on them. He will not
withhold any good thing from them. What a promise! What motivation to be
all that we can be in God.
Imagine living a life that God views as blameless which allows Him to
withhold no good thing. Pray that God would make you and me that kind of
person.
no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11
If you were running for political office, what approach would your
opponent take against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign,
would there be any ammunition for him to use? Think how you would feel
if the director of the opposing campaign came to you afterwards and
said, "Sir, we tried to find something negative to play up in our
campaign against you, but we couldn't."
What does it really mean to be a person who is blameless before God?
Being blameless before God does not mean we are perfect. No human being
is perfect. It means that we so fully trust in God that we are willing
to make things right when we fail. We are willing to humble ourselves
continually before the throne of God. "...blessed is the man who trusts
in You" (Psalm 84:12).
God has a specific plan for the people who fully trust in Him. He
promises to be their shield, to bestow honor on them. He will not
withhold any good thing from them. What a promise! What motivation to be
all that we can be in God.
Imagine living a life that God views as blameless which allows Him to
withhold no good thing. Pray that God would make you and me that kind of
person.
Monday, July 19, 2010
CALLED TO CRAFTSMANSHIP
"Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the
son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit
of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set
stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship."
Exodus 31:1-5
Bezalel was called by God to perform a most important work for Him. I am
sure that Bezalel believed that he was naturally gifted with his hands
to make fine crafts with gold, silver, and bronze. He probably did not
associate it with God's work. But the Scripture tells us that God chose
him and filled him with God's Spirit to enable him.
Does God call men and women into their vocations to fulfill His purposes
- to fulfill that which needs to be accomplished throughout the world?
Have you ever thought about how many occupations there are in the world?
How did that balance of interest among each human throughout the world
happen? Did it just happen? Was it by chance that we have only so many
doctors, only so many accountants, only so many geologists?
Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. So many
workplace believers and even pastors have made the mistake of
encouraging us who have a deep desire to walk with Christ in the
workplace to pursue vocational ministry. To remove us from the workplace
where the greatest harvest is yet to occur would be to remove us from
where God called us. Do not take this bait. Serve the Lord in the
workplace where He has gifted you and called you.
son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit
of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set
stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship."
Exodus 31:1-5
Bezalel was called by God to perform a most important work for Him. I am
sure that Bezalel believed that he was naturally gifted with his hands
to make fine crafts with gold, silver, and bronze. He probably did not
associate it with God's work. But the Scripture tells us that God chose
him and filled him with God's Spirit to enable him.
Does God call men and women into their vocations to fulfill His purposes
- to fulfill that which needs to be accomplished throughout the world?
Have you ever thought about how many occupations there are in the world?
How did that balance of interest among each human throughout the world
happen? Did it just happen? Was it by chance that we have only so many
doctors, only so many accountants, only so many geologists?
Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. So many
workplace believers and even pastors have made the mistake of
encouraging us who have a deep desire to walk with Christ in the
workplace to pursue vocational ministry. To remove us from the workplace
where the greatest harvest is yet to occur would be to remove us from
where God called us. Do not take this bait. Serve the Lord in the
workplace where He has gifted you and called you.
Friday, July 16, 2010
BECOMING A MIGHTY MAN
"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered
around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were
with him." - 1 Samuel 22:2
Have you ever felt that you could accomplish a whole lot more if you
had more talented people around you? Perhaps you are in an office and think
that some of your fellow workers don't quite measure up. Imagine what
David must have thought in the years following his anointing by the
prophet Samuel as the next king of Israel. He spent the next many years
running from King Saul. Now God was beginning to bring men to support
David. But what kind of men? The down-and-out. God gave David not the
elite or the sophisticated; He gave him those who were in debt and
discontented with life. David turned those men into the best fighting
men of their day. In fact, David never lost a battle during his entire
reign as king of Israel-quite a feat for a bunch of no-name, lowlifes!
Some of those men became an elite group known as David's Mighty Men.
These were the elite of the elite, the Navy Seals, the Few Good Men,
the Green Berets. Whatever you call them, they were exceptional warriors.
Jesus took a few men who weren't exactly the cream of the crop either.
He built His life into these men, which resulted in 12 men who turned
the world upside down. Are you one of God's mighty men or women? Are
you investing your life to build other mighty men or women? David and Jesus
set the example of what can be done when we invest in others. God does
extraordinary things through men who have an extraordinary God. Ask God
to use your life to be a mighty man or woman for a cause greater than
yourself. He delights in such prayers.
around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were
with him." - 1 Samuel 22:2
Have you ever felt that you could accomplish a whole lot more if you
had more talented people around you? Perhaps you are in an office and think
that some of your fellow workers don't quite measure up. Imagine what
David must have thought in the years following his anointing by the
prophet Samuel as the next king of Israel. He spent the next many years
running from King Saul. Now God was beginning to bring men to support
David. But what kind of men? The down-and-out. God gave David not the
elite or the sophisticated; He gave him those who were in debt and
discontented with life. David turned those men into the best fighting
men of their day. In fact, David never lost a battle during his entire
reign as king of Israel-quite a feat for a bunch of no-name, lowlifes!
Some of those men became an elite group known as David's Mighty Men.
These were the elite of the elite, the Navy Seals, the Few Good Men,
the Green Berets. Whatever you call them, they were exceptional warriors.
Jesus took a few men who weren't exactly the cream of the crop either.
He built His life into these men, which resulted in 12 men who turned
the world upside down. Are you one of God's mighty men or women? Are
you investing your life to build other mighty men or women? David and Jesus
set the example of what can be done when we invest in others. God does
extraordinary things through men who have an extraordinary God. Ask God
to use your life to be a mighty man or woman for a cause greater than
yourself. He delights in such prayers.
Monday, July 12, 2010
THE BUTTERFLY PRINCIPLE
The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he
pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. - (Exodus 14:8)
Overprotective parents do their children a great injustice. The
caterpillar that lies inside the cocoon will never become the
beautiful butterfly if someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely.
It is the struggle itself that allows the butterfly to emerge as
a strong, new creature of nature.
God understands how necessary this process is. That is why we are
allowed to experience difficult, often life-changing events. He
even orchestrates them-all for our benefit. What the Israelites
thought was a cruel joke when Pharaoh sent troops to pursue them
after they had been freed and penned against the shore of the Red
Sea became the stage for the most publicized miracle of all
time-the parting of the Red Sea. Generation after generation has
heard this incredible story of deliverance. God puts us against
the "Red Seas" in order to show His power in and through us. If
we do not know God can deliver, then we can never learn to trust
Him. Circumstances that go beyond our capabilities of solving
them place us at God's complete mercy. This is how He likes it.
Do not fear the calamity that comes your way. If you are faithful
to Him in the test, you will see God's power manifested like
never before. Just as the Israelites were able to sing a song of
deliverance, you too will have your own testimony of the Lord's
faithfulness; and you will be able to recall it for others to
build your faith and theirs.
pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. - (Exodus 14:8)
Overprotective parents do their children a great injustice. The
caterpillar that lies inside the cocoon will never become the
beautiful butterfly if someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely.
It is the struggle itself that allows the butterfly to emerge as
a strong, new creature of nature.
God understands how necessary this process is. That is why we are
allowed to experience difficult, often life-changing events. He
even orchestrates them-all for our benefit. What the Israelites
thought was a cruel joke when Pharaoh sent troops to pursue them
after they had been freed and penned against the shore of the Red
Sea became the stage for the most publicized miracle of all
time-the parting of the Red Sea. Generation after generation has
heard this incredible story of deliverance. God puts us against
the "Red Seas" in order to show His power in and through us. If
we do not know God can deliver, then we can never learn to trust
Him. Circumstances that go beyond our capabilities of solving
them place us at God's complete mercy. This is how He likes it.
Do not fear the calamity that comes your way. If you are faithful
to Him in the test, you will see God's power manifested like
never before. Just as the Israelites were able to sing a song of
deliverance, you too will have your own testimony of the Lord's
faithfulness; and you will be able to recall it for others to
build your faith and theirs.
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