September 2011

The blue letters

Read > Psalm 56

I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? (v. 4).

During an airline flight, a woman seated next to my friend pulled out a brand-new Bible – still shrink-wrapped. My friend pointed to the unblemished book and remarked; “Now that’s a new one!”

The woman smiled and explained that her old Bible, which she quickly retrieved from her carry-on bag, was “full.” The blue-ink notes and insights she had written in its margins had left little white space in the bulging, tattered book. So, she was cracking open a new one!

It’s obvious that my friend’s co-passenger is a woman who literally clings to God’s Word. She reminds me of David, who wrote in Psalm 56, “I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised” (v. 10). David wrote this song to recount his dreaded experience of being seized by the Philistines (v. 1; 1 Samuel 21:11-15). He ended up having to fake being crazy to escape his enemies’ clutches. But God comforted him as he safely made it from captivity to freedom (Psalm 56:9).

Both the blue-letter woman – who expressed to my friend her great faith in Jesus – and David shared a common reason for holding on to God’s Word: Trust. “I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God” (vv. 4, 11).

You may not be big on writing in the margins of your Bible, but I hope you’re spending a lot of time in the Word. Without those trust-building moments of meditation, observation, and application, we can be left in a state of devastation when tough times come.

As he celebrated God’s deliverance from the Philistines, David wrote, “I can walk in Your presence, O God, in your life-giving light” (v. 13). Blue letters don’t just happen and neither does deep trust in God. Keep basking in the trust-building light of His Word (Psalm 119:105). – Tom Felten

More >

·         Psalm 27:1

·         John 14:1

·         Hebrews 10:35

Next >

What happens to your trust in God when you neglect the Bible? How will you increase your blue-letter times spent in His Word?

Rejoice!

Read > Psalm 16

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety (v. 9).

Throughout Africa, from Sierra Leone to Uganda, rebel leaders have abducted hundreds of thousands of innocent boys and girls and converted them into soldiers. Forced to commit unspeakable crimes and murderous acts, often against their own relatives, these child soldiers are seldom able to forgive themselves or to re-enter society after the rare event of being freed from their conscripted service.

However, when the miraculous takes place – when a child is able to forgive himself and experience forgiveness through the grace of God – there is reason to rejoice!

I recently watched 100 former child soldiers sing and praise God for rescuing them from the hands of their oppressors. Their rejoicing centred around Psalm 13:4-6, which says, “Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.”

While in the hands of their captors, the children had prayed, “O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against You” (Psalm 5:10).

Though much time elapsed between their prayers and their deliverance, the children were ultimately able to reflect the continuation of that psalm, which says, “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love” (Psalm 5:11-12).

What a beautiful example of redemption and restoration is displayed when children, once trapped in a wretched existence, rejoice because of what the Lord has done for them. – Roxanne Robbins

More >

·         1 Samuel 2:1-3

·         Psalm 13:4-6

·         Psalm 35:8-10

Next >

What can you do to help the child soldiers of the world? How does the redemption of those once held in physical captivity inspire you to seek freedom for those trapped in spiritual chains?

Larger than our fear

Read > Genesis 26:1-11, 19-25

Do not be afraid, for I am with you (v. 24).

I have two boys who are afraid of assorted things: dentists, dark rooms, green peas. Our most recent bout surfaced when our first-grader refused to walk into his classroom by himself. When he balked, I was tempted to point out a kindergarten girl happily strolling into her class alone. I considered sitting him down for a rational conversation with reasons why his fears were foolish.

Thankfully, I resisted, recognizing Wyatt didn’t need logic or tips. He certainly didn’t need shame. Wyatt just needed me to hold his hand and walk with him. Isaac, one of Israel’s forefathers, had many reasons to fear. Having no home, he had to scratch out an existence in a strange land. When Isaac arrived in Gerar, he lied to Abimelech the king, saying his beautiful wife Rebekah was his sister because he “was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me” (Genesis 26:9).

Years later, after Isaac had finally pieced together a life, Abimelech demanded he leave the land. Where would he go? How would he start over – again? Packing up, his brood bounced from spot to spot, forced out by conflict and resistance each time. Would his family ever have a future? The gloom hung heavy, fear rampant.

Then God spoke. “I am the God of your father, Abraham … Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (v. 24). God spoke against Isaac’s fear, not by cataloguing all the reasons fear was unnecessary or by instructing him in how to think more positively. God spoke against fear by giving Himself, His name, His presence. In the incarnation, God did this for all humanity (Matthew 1:23). Jesus entered our world of fear and sin. Our fears require a God larger than them, a God who will come and be with us. Jesus is that reality. – Winn Collier

More >

The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries [God has] set (Jeremiah 5:22).

Next >

What is your deepest fear? How does God’s presence reorient your fear?

September 2011

maranatha

Read > Psalm 96

He is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with His truth (v. 13).

My children were so excited about their cousins coming over that they rode their bikes to the end of our road in anticipation of their arrival. As I watched them stand sentinel at the top of our hill, ready to escort their cousins’ van to our house, I was reminded of the ancient word parousia. A parousia, or appearance of royalty, sparked a celebration in which an entire city would go out to meet the visiting king and accompany him back to town. Parousia is often used in the New Testament to describe the second coming of Jesus.

Paul wrote that when “the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God,” then “we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Some people may not look forward to Christ’s return because they think this passage teaches that Jesus is coming to simply whisk us away. In reality, Paul is merely describing the first part of the parousia. We will go up and out to meet the Lord and then later return with Him to planet Earth.

Jesus is not coming to evacuate the earth, but to restore it to a beautiful thing. He’s returning to reward the righteous and punish the oppressors. And He will establish an everlasting reign of peace and prosperity, beating swords into plowshares and dwelling forever with His people on a restored and rejuvenated planet.

Are you weary of the injustice in our world? Are you groaning from the brokenness of sin? Then pray the shortest prayer in the Bible: Maranatha! Meaning, “Our Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22). – Mike Wittmer

More >

·         Isaiah 2:2-5

·         Micah 4:1-5

·         James 5:7-8

Next >

Do you want Jesus to come today? What can you do to increase your anticipation of His return?

tomorrow

Read > James 4:13-17

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring (Proverbs 27:1).

Let’s talk about tomorrow – today. What will your tomorrow be like?

Tomorrow could bring death. From the moment we’re born, we’re dying. Someone has said that death is one appointment you may postpone, but can’t cancel (see Psalm 89:47-48).

Tomorrow could bring about sickness (Job 14:1-2). We desire a healthy life. But we have to deal with the fickleness of life and our fragile bodies.

Tomorrow could bring about trouble and suffering. Our days are filled with pain and grief (Job 5:7, 7:1; Ecclesiastes 2:23). We live with frustration, disappointment, and bitterness (Psalm 90:9-10; Ecclesiastes 5:17).

Tomorrow may of course bring no change. Just the mundane grind of sameness. Tomorrow is just like yesterday and the same as today (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Tomorrow could bring about success and rewards. (Ah, finally something positive!) A promotion? Good profits? Life is good and you can’t wait for tomorrow to come (Isaiah 56:12).

But what about the next tomorrow? Will tomorrow’s tomorrow change your good fortunes – bringing death, sickness, or suffering? Your life comes full circle (Ecclesiastes 1:5-6, 9, 3:15).

Ira Stanphill sums up our response to our tomorrows with these lyrics: “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to grey. I don’t worry [about] the future, for I know what Jesus said; And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.” – K. T. Sim

More >

·         Psalm 37:1-8

·         Psalm 39:4-7

·         Matthew 6:25-34

Next >

What kind of day is your tomorrow shaping up to be? What fears or worries about tomorrow do you need to bring to God?

Walk forward

Read > Exodus 16:2-7

Back in Egypt … we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted (v. 3).

His father described him as down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, and unselfish. Maybe that’s why so many people were shocked when Australian-born actor Heath Ledger died of a prescription drug overdose. Before his death, Ledger was reportedly fighting an addiction to heroin.

We all struggle with habitual cravings – food, gambling, and porn are just a few of the things that can enslave us. Fortunately, God can free us, as surely as He released the Israelites from slave status in Egypt. But once He sets us free, He wants us to move forward.

A short time after the Israelites left Egypt, they developed an attitude. “Back in Egypt … we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted” (Exodus 16:3), they whined. Shaky circumstances led them to idealize the “good ol’ days.” But that kind of backward thinking sabotages our efforts to move forward, following “the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).

God wants us to keep taking steps of faith – believing that He will provide what we need each day. When the Israelites realized that their new zip code didn’t include any grocery stores, God said, No biggie. I’ll send some manna their way – “as much food as they need for that day” (Exodus 16:4). Similarly, we should live one day at a time, trusting God to provide an escape route from our selfish desires. God “will not allow the temptation to be more than [we] can stand” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we’re tempted, He will show us a way out.

If God has shown you the escape hatch, don’t look back. Don’t “let sin control the way you live” (Romans 6:12). Instead, walk forward each day, trusting that “you will see the glory of the Lord” on your journey through the wilderness (Exodus 16:7). – Jennifer Benson Schuldt

More >

·         Jeremiah 30:8

·         Romans 8:2

·         1 John 5:3-5

Next >

If God has freed you from an addiction, how can you walk forward? Why is it important to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives?

Miraculous joy

Read > John 2:1-11

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him (v. 11).

Something strange happened last fall in the village of Milano, Italy. Residents turned on their home water taps and white wine flowed out! No, this was not a modern-day miracle – merely a mix-up.

A local worker accidentally connected a line flowing with the fermented grape juice to a water main, instead of to a public fountain in the town square. You see, each year Milano celebrates a festival that includes having vino gush forth from the fountain – allowing the cheerful citizens to fill their glasses. This year, they simply turned on the tap to taste a local vineyard’s finest.

It’s interesting that Jesus did turn water into wine at another joyous celebration – a wedding (John 2:1). He brought a blessing to the master of the wedding banquet, the bridegroom, and – ultimately – all of the wedding party and guests (v. 9).

Jesus’ miracle brought unexpected joy to the people, even as it revealed His glory for the “first time” (v. 11). His instant wine recipe had the necessary ingredients for filling the disciples with “first” faith. For after He performed this supernatural act, the “disciples believed in Him” (v. 11). John wrote later that all of Jesus’ miraculous signs, including turning water into wine, were done so that we would “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name” (20:31).

For 2,000 years, Jesus has been filling people with faith, eternal life, and joy – not converting water into wine, but sinners into believers (Ephesians 1:18-19). Unlike the bitter water of the legalist or sour drink of the doubter, Jesus’ “new wine” flows into hearts and makes them bubble over. By faith, you can “trust Him; and … rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Celebrate the miracle of your changed heart by drinking deep of His joy today. – Tom Felten

More >

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7).

Next >

What has robbed you of joy lately? As you think of the miracle of your changed heart in Jesus, how does that bring you joy?

Life words

Read > Psalm 145:17-19

The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth (v. 18).

In 1990, Bette Midler recorded the song From a Distance. Her rendition became an instant hit – soaring to the top of the pop charts. Not only did it win a Grammy, it went on to become one of the most requested songs on Saudi Band Radio during the First Gulf War.

The chorus to the song states, “God is watching us. God is watching us. God is watching us – from a distance.”

God is watching us. That reassuring thought is a likely reason why so many in the military were drawn to the song. But the song has it wrong – God is not watching over us from a distance.

God isn’t peering over the edge of heaven’s walls, looking down on us from far, far away. The message of the Bible is that God is near (Psalm 145:17-19). That’s why the baby Jesus received a very special name: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23). The apostle John wrote that Jesus “became human and made His home among us” (John 1:14). And after rising from the dead, as He was about to ascend into heaven, He said to His followers, “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Though Jesus is “away” from us in His glorified body, God’s Spirit lives in the hearts of those of us who are His children by faith (Galatians 4:6). The New Testament encourages us to “come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8).

That’s anything but distant.

God is truly with us – not simply to keep us in line but to help us overcome the evil one, and to live the life He meant for us to live (1 John 3:8). – Jeff Olson

More >

God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us (1 John 4:13).

Next >

Does it feel like God is close or far away? Why? How does it change your view of today’s tasks as you consider that He is near?

Idols in us

Read > Micah 1:1-7

Why is this happening? … Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the centre of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital! (v. 5).

While attending a conference in Nashville, my husband and I decided to use some free time to visit the city’s replica of the Parthenon – the temple of the Greek goddess Athena. While the artwork inspired awe, we couldn’t shake the hollow and cold feeling that settled on us when we entered. Towering over 40 feet high, the glided statue of Athena was the all-consuming focal point of the main room. My heart became heavy as I thought of the multitudes who had once knelt before the real statue.

The temptation of idolatry exists within each of us. We struggle with the desire to create a god who serves us versus a calling to be a people who serve God. In the days of the golden calf, Israel’s idolatry was not simply an outright rejection of Yahweh. Rather, they had wrongly tried to make an image of God Himself (Exodus 32:4-6).

Generations later, King Jeroboam made the fateful decision to direct where the people would worship. His pride led the people into a time of spiritual captivity. During King Manasseh’s reign, Judah worshiped in the right city, but they allowed the surrounding culture to shape what they were worshiping. Manasseh actually placed pagan altars and an idol in God’s holy temple (2 Chronicles 33:7-9). Talk about the wrong focus!

Consider the following facts about God in order to avoid worshiping a god of your own making:

·         He alone is worthy of our worship (Habakkuk 2:18-20).

·         We do not define Him; He defines us (Romans 1:21-23).

·         He is completely sovereign; any lesser view is manmade (Isaiah 45:9).

Call out to God today and ask Him to reveal the idols in your heart. A pure heart will lead to your pure worship of Him. – Regina Franklin

More >

You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods (Exodus 20:5).

Next >

How have you tried to define God in wrongful ways? What areas of your life have you not submitted to His control?

Represent

Read > 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (v. 20).

Ambassadors are the highest-ranking, appointed diplomats that represent a country. They are normally appointed by a president or an organization to serve as the official representative and spokespersons for their country. Sometimes countries also appoint highly respected individuals as Ambassodors at Large. These people are given specific and temporary assignments to tackle. Historically, the ambassador is a permanent citizen of his own country, but also a resident representative of the country where his work is being conducted.

In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Corinthians and reminded them that they were Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). They were ambassadors by appointment, for they didn’t earn their title by personal merits or by their own strength. The grace of the Sovereign God of heaven brought them to Himself through Jesus’ work on the cross. The result was new life and a message of reconciliation to share with others.

This meant that they should only say what God had given them to say. It was not about their own agenda. The message was clear: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them” (v. 19). God provided a way for people to be restored to Him. He made Christ the offering for our sins so that we could be made right with God.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to realize that as ambassadors they were citizens of another world – heaven. So they were resident representatives on earth, reflecting the King of glory with their words and their lives. As Jesus-followers, we’ve been given the awesome responsibility to be ambassadors for Jesus in our world. Let’s represent Him well as we tell others His message. – Marvin Williams

More >

·         Ephesians 6:19-20

·         Colossians 4:3-6

·         1 Peter 3:15-16

Next >

How will you be an ambassador of Christ to your friends and co-workers this week? What does it mean for you to represent Jesus?

Hope at last

Read > Deuteronomy 10:17-19

He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing (v. 18).

You won’t find it [Kibera] on your tourist map – or any other map. It’s a squatters’ camp, an illegal, forgotten city, and at least one third of Nairobi lives here,” explains BBC East Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding. Located in Kenya, Kibera is an enormous slum. And it was there that a friend and I encountered an elderly man in a shabby suit who epitomized faith. “I’ve just come from church,” he proclaimed. Undaunted by the trash and wretched stench that permeated his 600-acre neighbourhood, he thanked us for visiting and added with a smile, “The Lord loves us [slum dwellers] and will provide for us.”

That man profoundly grasped these truths:

·         God “lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honour. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and He has set the world in order” (1 Samuel 2:8).

·         God “rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful” (Job 5:15).

·         God “will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas” (Psalm 102:17).

·         “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory [God] will reveal to us later” (Romans 8:18).

·         God, who “did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all,” will “also give us everything else” (Romans 8:32).

·         Nothing can ever separate us from Christ’s love, not even severe financial poverty. “Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37). Amen. – Roxanne Robbins

More >

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9).

Next >

How has God met your deepest needs? What will you do today to help others see their circumstances through the eyes of faith?

Who cares?

Read > Malachi 1:6-14

Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated Me! (3:8).

The book of Malachi was written around 420 BC as a warning to the nation of Israel. God accused the priests of offering “defiled” sacrifices (Malachi 1:7). Specifically, He was concerned with the nation’s direct disobedience in not giving Him their best (v. 8), and for withholding the tithes He had commanded them to give for His work (3:8-14).

So what does this have to do with us? We don’t bring God animal sacrifices. The death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ was the one-time sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-18). Malachi doesn’t apply to us, right? Surely we’re not guilty of giving God blemished sacrifices! Or are we?

Let’s look at just a couple of areas where I give God “blemished sacrifices”:

Time. I get up in the morning and have a hundred things to do. So I race into my day planning to take time to pray and read God’s Word in a minute. All throughout the day, I sense a nagging urge to spend time with God. Eight or nine hundred minutes later I’m tired and ready for bed. Not only did I not give God second-best – I didn’t give Him anything!

Money. There are so many things I need! I tell myself I’ll give money to the Lord’s work next month, when I can afford it. But the biblical principle is clear: God wants our best in every area. He doesn’t need my money; He wants me to invest it in His work so that He’ll have my heart. “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21).

Because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, we don’t sacrifice bulls and goats anymore. But God should still come first in every aspect of our lives – time, money, talent, friends, choices. What sacrifices do you need to make today? – Tim Gustafson

More >

The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God (Psalm 51:17).

Next >

What kind of “sacrifices” do you give to God? Are you stealing from God by giving Him second-best?

All the truth

Read > Genesis 4:1-12

The Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” (v. 9)

In the 1930s, Spain endured a civil war when General Francisco Franco joined a coup to unseat Spain’s leftist Popular Front. While 500,000 died in the conflict, another 114,000 simply “disappeared” in the first years of Franco’s rule. When Franco died in 1975, no one was initially willing to investigate this dark history. After years of the victims’ families pressing for answers, however, Judge Baltasar Garzon ordered a criminal investigation to begin in 2008 – including opening 19 unmarked mass graves. The process, though gruesome and unsettling, will be necessary for Spain’s healing.

In the first of many gruesome accounts recorded in Scripture, Cain murdered his brother Abel because of his jealousy over God’s positive response to Abel’s sacrifice (Genesis 4). Cain lured his brother out of their house and into one of their family’s fields. Once he had his brother alone, his seething anger erupted and “Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him” (v. 8).

He knew he was guilty, but when God confronted him about the whereabouts of Abel, Cain played dumb. “I don’t know …. Am I my brother’s guardian?” (v. 9). God, however, would not leave him alone, pressing further: “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!” (v. 10).

In the end, Cain had no choice. God forced him to own up to his evil actions. And once Cain faced his sin, he lamented that he would be removed from God’s presence.

Though many of us expend a great deal of effort attempting to cover our sin and hide our guilty secrets, it only exacerbates our shame. Our hope depends on a deep healing – and healing can only happen if we open ourselves to this deep work. We must come clean – acknowledging our failures and desperation to God. For to be healed for our future, we must be honest about our past. – Winn Collier

More >

·         Psalm 32

·         1 John 1:9

Next >

What have you been trying to hide from God? How does your hiding work against your healing?

Freak folk

Read > Psalm 73

Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? (v. 13).

Freak folk, psych folk, and folk-pop are terms used to describe genres within folk music. Musically, freak folk features acoustic instruments, mostly guitar and occasionally violin or flute, accompanied by percussion instruments such as bongos. Psych folk is a blending of folk music and psychedelic rock or pop. The varieties of folk music just keep unfolding.

The Bible has its own kind of folk music. It’s found in the Psalms. These marvellous ancient “folk” songs recount the experiences of various men and women. They tell the tale of the emotional upsets, problems, and disturbances that believers in God endured.

Take Psalm 73, for example. It starts like some of the folk songs of our day, with the author (singer?) grousing about injustices in the world. The lyrics are striking in their brutal honesty. Asaph, David’s chief musician, was wondering if his pursuit of living for God had been worthless (vv. 13-14). Self-centred, irreverent people were “enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply” (v. 12). They mocked God and seemed to be getting away with it. Asaph wondered if he was a freak for keeping his heart pure. Was it worthwhile?

But as he went into the sanctuary of God, he found new perspective and understanding (v. 16). Asaph was reminded that the wicked and their ways would come to an end. He sensed anew his need for a change of heart before God (v. 21). And he understood that nothing in heaven or on earth was better than being near the Sovereign Lord (vv. 23, 28).

We learn from this timeless tune that when we turn our eyes to God, we gain His perspective. We see that life is not all bleak and dreary. And we see clearly that God is in control and that He does care for us – His Jesus freaks. – Poh Fang Chia

More >

·         Psalm 37:1-7

·         Matthew 5:3-10

·         Hebrews 11:13-16

Next >

What situations today might make you feel like a freak for following God’s instruction? How can you keep Him at the centre of your vision?

Get going

Read > Philippians 3:7-14

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (v. 12).

Every spring, we plant nearly 40 tomato plants. Every fall, when we find that we have more tomatoes than we can possibly eat, can, or turn into sauce or salsa, we give lots away to grateful friends and family. It makes me wonder, however, why our thankful recipients – lovers of tomatoes that they are – don’t grow even one plant of their own? It’s not appropriate to say that they’re lazy, for they work hard in other pursuits. So I think it’s simply a case of inertia. Despite hearty appetites for tomatoes, they never get around to doing anything about it.

How much of our lives are mediocre because of inertia? We would like to pray more, enjoy deeper intimacy in our marriages and friendships, take more outings with our children, read more books, find a more satisfying job, eat better, and exercise more – but we never actually do anything about it. So we continue to coast, settling for the way things are now rather than working toward what they could be.

I’m challenged by Paul, who – being far more mature in his spiritual walk – humbly declared, “I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:13-14).

What area of your life would you like to move beyond mediocrity? If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’re likely to get what you’ve always gotten. So make a change. Go ahead – pursue a stronger marriage or better parenting or a closer walk with God. What steps can you take in that direction? First commit your goal to God in prayer. Then write it down. Now go do it – and press on! – Mike Wittmer

More >

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Next >

What area of your life most needs work? What will it take for you to do something about it?

Plumb-lined

Read > Amos 7:7-9

I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight (v. 7).

A must-see for tourists visiting Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Tuscany. The 8-story tall cathedral bell tower, completed in 1370, was once upright. Today, however, it’s tilted. In 1990, the tower’s top was 15 feet (4.5m) off vertical and the whole thing was in danger of toppling. So it underwent 12 years of extensive stabilizing work, and – for the first time since the 12^th century – the tower finally stopped tilting. It was declared “safe for the next 300 years” in 2001.

In the third of 5 visions given to Amos, God is seen holding a plumb line beside a wall that “had been built using a plumb line” (7:7). Israel was built according to the plumb line. Just 3 months after exiting Egypt (Exodus 19:1-2), God gave Israel His commandments (ch. 20), to be a holy nation (19:6). God established a clear standard: “You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

Seven hundred years later, God plumb-lined His people “to see if [they were] still straight” (Amos 7:7). And, like the leaning Tower of Pisa, Israel had become seriously tilted. God could not ignore the aberrant angle (v. 8). A wall in danger of collapsing had to be toppled (v. 9).

God has set His standards for us in His Word. We’re to live holy and godly lives (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Peter 3:11). One day, we too will be plumb-lined. Yet, God is patient with us, for He wants us to repent (Romans 2:4-6; 2 Peter 3:9, 15). But we shouldn’t take His patience for granted. For there will come a time when He says, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer” (Amos 7:8 NIV).

When God uses His plumb line, will you be found upright or tilted? – K. T. Sim

More >

·         Jeremiah 2:5

·         Romans 2:4-10

·         1 Peter 1:13-19

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What has God’s plumb line revealed in your life? What excuses have you been offering to God for not living a holy life?

Show us the way

Read > Psalm 23:1-4

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to His name (v. 3).

I read of an Indian guru who will sell you “inner peace” for about $300. His brand of self-controlled breathing and meditation is all the rage among India’s stress-worn business people and millions of others worldwide. Fortunately, it can be learned in one weekend and requires just 30 minutes of practice each day to keep the good vibes coming.

Sure, taking a few deep breaths may help lower our blood pressure, but stress relief for our souls comes from God. We need Him to show us the way to peace. David pointed this out in his famous psalm when he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (23:1). This thought is simple, but it floors me every time I read it. When I feel the pressure build and my thoughts begin to rotate like a whirlwind, I remember that “His peace will guard [our] hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:7). He is all we need.

Because He is sufficient, God is more than able to “[guide us] along right paths, bringing honour to His name” (Psalm 23:3). The real antidote for stress is to overcome it with His power – to honour Him!

Maybe you’re thinking, That’s just great, but my mailbox is overflowing with bills and I can’t sleep. There’s chaos at our house 24/7. When David was stressed, he wrote, “I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me” (v. 4). God’s guidance is a close, protective leadership meant to “restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10).

Whether you work in an office or a factory or with a busy 2-year-old, stress is unavoidable. Fortunately, God can help us manage it, and His brand of inner peace is not for sale. He just wants to show us the way. – Jennifer Benson Schuldt

More >

·         Psalm 4:8

·         John 14:27

·         2 Thessalonians 3:16

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How have you attempted to relieve the stress in your life? Why does God want us to overcome stress His way?

Land and deeds

Read > Acts 4:32-5:11

[Barnabas] sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles (v. 37).

Do you have a special place where you’d like to be right now – a place you feel passionate about? I love serving others at Upper Peninsula Bible Camp. It’s a beautiful place in the woods of northern Michigan where campers have enjoyed God’s creation and heard the Good News for more than 70 years.

Recently, a family donated a cabin to the camp – allowing for even more people to come and experience God at UPBC. The gift was a selfless act with God’s work clearly in mind.

In Acts, just prior to the infamous account of Ananias and Sapphira, we read of a man who sold a field and gave the money to the apostles (4:37). His nickname, given by the church fathers, was Barnabas – “Son of Encouragement” (v. 36). Unlike Ananias and Sapphira, who died as a result of their financial deceit (5:1-11), Barnabas gave all the money he received for his land. He willingly signed over the deed to help meet the needs of other believers. But he went on to do so much more …

This Jewish believer showed grace and acceptance to a newly converted Saul of Tarsus (Paul) in Jerusalem (9:27). He then left his home church to strengthen the church in Antioch (11:22).

Do you get the picture? Barnabas gave his land, but then he gave his life away for Jesus – showing grace to others, leaving behind what was familiar to strengthen new believers, and serving with a warm, encouraging heart.

It’s great to bless others by giving cash and gifts for God’s work. But the example of Barnabas shows us there’s so much more to living for Jesus. Go ahead and “sign over that deed,” but don’t forget to live out the deeds God has laid before you – selfless acts that glorify Him and encourage others. – Tom Felten

More >

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

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Why is it easier to write a check than to show grace, strengthen others, and serve? What “good deeds” has God called you to do this week?

Full tank

Read > Romans 15:13-19

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 13).

Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12^th-century French abbot, once said, “The man who is wise … will see his life more like a reservoir than as a canal. The canal … pours out as it receives. The reservoir retains the water until it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself.”

Quite the insightful word picture, huh? It reveals the wisdom of giving to others from a full spiritual tank rather than simply pouring out ministry as quickly as it flows in. Paul reflected this same truth in a prayer for the church in Rome, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Paul wanted the confidence of the church in Rome to stem from a tank that was already full of hope. Perhaps this is one reason he prayed for the saints in Ephesus to “be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19).

Paul’s prayers reflect the idea that living out of a sense of fullness is the best way to live vibrant lives in Jesus. And here’s the good news – it’s truly possible to live more like a reservoir than a canal! As Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart” (Luke 6:45). The Lord’s words assume there can be a “treasury” of abundance that one can live from. But it doesn’t just appear out of thin air. An abundance within – a full reservoir – occurs when we’re actively pursuing God and His spiritually strengthening truth.

You can run on low fuel for only a limited time. Turn to the One today who longs to restore your soul and fill your spiritual reservoir to overflowing (Psalm 23:5; John 7:38). – Jeff Olson

More >

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy (John 15:11).

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How can you begin to refill your spiritual tank? From where did Jesus gain power and strength as He continued to pour out ministry?

Drawing close

Read > 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (v. 15).

My 6-year-old son loves Magnetix. Unlike Legos, which are snapped together and pried apart, magnetized pieces that attract or repel make building easy. According to my son, his set will even jump out of its storage area and onto the floor without any assistance. Yeah, right …

When it comes to relationships, attraction is definitely not to be toyed with. For believers in Jesus, God’s Word commands us to pursue romantic relationships only with persons of the opposite sex who are also true believers (v. 14). We should be deliberate in our closest relationships (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Paul wasn’t advocating that we hide in a Christian subculture. He knew how important it is for us to have relationships with unbelievers so that we can tell them about Jesus (Colossians 4:5-6). Boundaries in our relationships, however, are important. And they have everything to do with understanding koinonia. The Greek word for fellowship, koinonia implies communion and intimacy. It means much more than simply getting to know someone. The idea is that your intimate fellowship will allow you to draw life from each other.

To grow that close to an unbeliever can lead us to adopt their views and choices (Exodus 23:32). In our relationships with people who don’t know Jesus, we must be on our guard against compromise with sin (Psalm 1:1). This includes not taking on attitudes and actions that deny God’s call to make healthy changes in our own lives (Romans 16:19).

David made a commitment to draw strength only from those who made the Lord their dwelling place (Psalm 119:63). We should do the same. Our ability to reach others for Jesus is greatly influenced by those we draw closest to. – Regina Franklin

More >

·         Proverbs 27:17

·         Galatians 5:9

·         Hebrews 10:23-25

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Why is it important that your closest relationships be with true believers? How can you avoid relationships that hinder your obedience to Jesus?

Living under the influence

Read > Ephesians 5:18-21

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 18).

Driving a car or another vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can lead to tragedy and – of lesser consequence – a traffic ticket. Depending on the degree to which a person’s mental and motor skills are impaired, their offense will be labelled a DWI – driving while intoxicated; OWI – operating while impaired; DUI – driving under the influence (of alcohol and/or drugs). Sadly, each year thousands of people die or are injured or arrested because of the effects of mixing driving and drugs or alcohol. Paul urged the believers at Ephesus, as followers of Jesus Christ, to live under another influence. In Ephesians 5:18, the apostle Paul said, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.” Unfortunately, just as it is today, getting inebriated was a common practice among the people of the ancient world. An intoxicated person was no longer in control of his words and actions. The apostle continues, “Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” What did he mean? Paul was telling the Ephesians that being in Christ meant being controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit.

The grammar is helpful here. The phrase “be filled” is a present imperative in the Greek language. This means that being controlled by the Holy Spirit was a command for the Ephesians – it was to be a continuous, everyday experience. Paul wanted the church of Ephesus to experience the Spirit’s guidance, control, and power to live for Jesus every day. The result of being filled with the Spirit was life and inner joy through worshiping and thanking God – not the destruction and death that comes from drunkenness.

Let’s pursue a LUI life – “living under the influence” of the Holy Spirit. As we remain under His control, our words and actions will influence others for Jesus. – Marvin Williams

More >

·         Romans 8:5-16

·         Galatians 5:16-25

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How does your life show that you’re being controlled by the Holy Spirit? What areas of your life still need to be yielded to Him?