From: The Upper Room Ministries
Isaiah 55:9 "As high as the Heavens are above the earth, so high are My ways above your ways and My thoughts above your thoughts."
One morning I had an appointment and was running late. After I had stopped at a light behind three or four other vehicles, the light finally turned green. But we didn't move. I craned my neck to see the problem.
A car that had made a right turn appeared to be blocking the way as it waited for another light. I could see a large gap between that car and the one ahead of it. "If that car would just move forward to close the gap, we could all get through our light," I muttered.
Eventually the car moved. As it did so, I saw that it was towing a very long, low trailer. I realized that I had been seeing only a part of the situation.
Afterwards, I wondered how many times I have made a decision based on what I could see without asking God to reveal the bigger picture. I thought of the times God seemed not to answer a prayer or to be responding differently than seemed logical to me.
God sees the whole picture, and acts in my life based on a higher view than mine. I have learned not to make decisions on my limited view but to trust God, who looks beyond what we can see.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Serve God By Serving Others
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
Mark 10:43 "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant."
The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.
Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world's idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it.
Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. We would rather be generals than privates. Even Christians want to be "servant-leaders," not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That's what He called himself.
While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant's heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs.
God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, "I don't have the gift of mercy or service." While you may not be gifted for a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one who is gifted at it is around.
Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant's heart will reveal your maturity. No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character.
How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, "You can tell what they are by what they do" (Matthew 7:16).
Mark 10:43 "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant."
The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.
Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world's idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it.
Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. We would rather be generals than privates. Even Christians want to be "servant-leaders," not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That's what He called himself.
While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant's heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs.
God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, "I don't have the gift of mercy or service." While you may not be gifted for a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one who is gifted at it is around.
Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant's heart will reveal your maturity. No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character.
How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, "You can tell what they are by what they do" (Matthew 7:16).
Sunday, September 14, 2008
God Is Preparing You
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman Ministries
Galatians 1:17 "Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus."
Paul tells us that he clearly understood the call Jesus placed on his life. He did not have to consult other men about this calling. But before he was released to begin his own mission, He went to Arabia for three years. Why did Paul have to go to Arabia for three years before he ever met another disciple of Jesus Christ?
The Scripture does not tell us plainly why Paul spent three years in Arabia. However, when God places a call on one of His children, it often requires a separation between the old life and the new life. There is a time of being away from the old in order to prepare the heart for what is coming. It can be a painful and difficult separation. Joseph was separated from his family. Jacob was sent to live with his uncle Laban. Moses was sent to the desert.
When God began a deeper work in my own life, it required a separation from all I had known before. He removed all that I had placed confidence in up to that point. He removed all my comforts and security in order to accomplish a much greater work than what I could see at the time. The picture is clear now. I understand why it was necessary, but I didn't at the time.
Perhaps God has placed you in your own desert period. Perhaps you cannot make sense of the situation in which you find yourself. If you press into God during this time, He will reveal the purposes He has for you. The key is pressing into Him. Seek Him with a whole heart and He will be found. "When you look for Me you will find Me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me and I will change your lot." (Jeremiah 29: 13-14).
God may have a special calling and message He is building in your life right now. Trust in His love for you that He will fully complete the work He has started in you.
Galatians 1:17 "Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus."
Paul tells us that he clearly understood the call Jesus placed on his life. He did not have to consult other men about this calling. But before he was released to begin his own mission, He went to Arabia for three years. Why did Paul have to go to Arabia for three years before he ever met another disciple of Jesus Christ?
The Scripture does not tell us plainly why Paul spent three years in Arabia. However, when God places a call on one of His children, it often requires a separation between the old life and the new life. There is a time of being away from the old in order to prepare the heart for what is coming. It can be a painful and difficult separation. Joseph was separated from his family. Jacob was sent to live with his uncle Laban. Moses was sent to the desert.
When God began a deeper work in my own life, it required a separation from all I had known before. He removed all that I had placed confidence in up to that point. He removed all my comforts and security in order to accomplish a much greater work than what I could see at the time. The picture is clear now. I understand why it was necessary, but I didn't at the time.
Perhaps God has placed you in your own desert period. Perhaps you cannot make sense of the situation in which you find yourself. If you press into God during this time, He will reveal the purposes He has for you. The key is pressing into Him. Seek Him with a whole heart and He will be found. "When you look for Me you will find Me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me and I will change your lot." (Jeremiah 29: 13-14).
God may have a special calling and message He is building in your life right now. Trust in His love for you that He will fully complete the work He has started in you.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Gift of Encouragement
From: The Upper Room Devotionals
Romans 12:6 "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us."
Marcus greeted everyone each workday with a beaming smile. Holding the door open for me, he would respond exuberantly to my "How are you today?" with this answer, every time: "Great! It's a blessed day! May God bless you today!" No matter how many times I saw Marcus during the day, he was never without that smile and some words of cheer.
Marcus worked as a janitor in our office. His broad smile, sparkling eyes, and his uncontained joy and zest for living always buoyed my spirits. His kindness and encouraging behavior were highly infectious. Marcus reflected God's love and stirred in me the desire to do the same.
Whenever I read Romans 12:6-8, I think of Marcus and his special gift of encouragement. In the world's view, Marcus was neither wealthy nor powerful; but this one person's willingness to use God's gift changed me. Because of Marcus, I see more clearly how God has graced us all with special gifts, no one gift more important than another. I believe God smiles when we encourage and uplift others. Let us seek opportunities to spread joy to others with a smile and contagious acts of kindness.
Romans 12:6 "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us."
Marcus greeted everyone each workday with a beaming smile. Holding the door open for me, he would respond exuberantly to my "How are you today?" with this answer, every time: "Great! It's a blessed day! May God bless you today!" No matter how many times I saw Marcus during the day, he was never without that smile and some words of cheer.
Marcus worked as a janitor in our office. His broad smile, sparkling eyes, and his uncontained joy and zest for living always buoyed my spirits. His kindness and encouraging behavior were highly infectious. Marcus reflected God's love and stirred in me the desire to do the same.
Whenever I read Romans 12:6-8, I think of Marcus and his special gift of encouragement. In the world's view, Marcus was neither wealthy nor powerful; but this one person's willingness to use God's gift changed me. Because of Marcus, I see more clearly how God has graced us all with special gifts, no one gift more important than another. I believe God smiles when we encourage and uplift others. Let us seek opportunities to spread joy to others with a smile and contagious acts of kindness.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wrong Motives
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
James 4:3 "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
A man was late for a job interview because he couldn't find any place to park. As he circled the block one more time, he cried out, "Please God. This interview is so important. If you will provide a parking space, I'll be on the front row of the church every week!" Just as he spoke those words, a space opened right in front of him. "Oh, never mind," he said. "I found one."
Perhaps this man exemplifies the extent of many of our prayer lives. But after all, some may say, The Lord's Prayer does tell us to pray for our daily needs. Yet one of the ways prayer can disappoint us is when we confuse needs and wants. We can get so wrapped up in praying for our wants that we begin to see God as somebody we can use to get what we want! And that's a terrible misunderstanding of God.
Is God going to give you everything you ask for? Absolutely not! Loving parents don't give their children everything they see in a toy store, and likewise God is not some genie saying, "Your wish is my command." James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
God wants us to seek His will so we can learn to understand our needs versus our wants. When we do, we can knock on the door of heaven and see God pour forth blessings to meet the needs of our lives.
James 4:3 "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
A man was late for a job interview because he couldn't find any place to park. As he circled the block one more time, he cried out, "Please God. This interview is so important. If you will provide a parking space, I'll be on the front row of the church every week!" Just as he spoke those words, a space opened right in front of him. "Oh, never mind," he said. "I found one."
Perhaps this man exemplifies the extent of many of our prayer lives. But after all, some may say, The Lord's Prayer does tell us to pray for our daily needs. Yet one of the ways prayer can disappoint us is when we confuse needs and wants. We can get so wrapped up in praying for our wants that we begin to see God as somebody we can use to get what we want! And that's a terrible misunderstanding of God.
Is God going to give you everything you ask for? Absolutely not! Loving parents don't give their children everything they see in a toy store, and likewise God is not some genie saying, "Your wish is my command." James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
God wants us to seek His will so we can learn to understand our needs versus our wants. When we do, we can knock on the door of heaven and see God pour forth blessings to meet the needs of our lives.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Choices
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Joshua 24:15 "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Our lives are like icebergs. Only 15 percent is visible; that's reputation. The rest, our character, is below the surface, hidden.
Character is what we think but never share. It's what we do when no one's watching. It's how we react to everyday aggravations. It's how we handle failure - and success. The thing that has made us what we are is our choices. At the end of a successful career, Joshua challenges the people of Israel: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." So the choice is yours!
French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld asserted, "Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them." Ever notice that people with the weakest character tend to place blame on their circumstances? They talk a lot about poor upbringing, financial difficulties, the unkindness of others, or other circumstances that have made them victims.
Your circumstances may be beyond your control but your character is not. You can no more blame your character on your circumstances than you can blame the mirror for your looks. Developing character is always your choice. Every time you make a character-based decision you take another step forward in your Spiritual growth.
Joshua 24:15 "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Our lives are like icebergs. Only 15 percent is visible; that's reputation. The rest, our character, is below the surface, hidden.
Character is what we think but never share. It's what we do when no one's watching. It's how we react to everyday aggravations. It's how we handle failure - and success. The thing that has made us what we are is our choices. At the end of a successful career, Joshua challenges the people of Israel: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." So the choice is yours!
French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld asserted, "Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them." Ever notice that people with the weakest character tend to place blame on their circumstances? They talk a lot about poor upbringing, financial difficulties, the unkindness of others, or other circumstances that have made them victims.
Your circumstances may be beyond your control but your character is not. You can no more blame your character on your circumstances than you can blame the mirror for your looks. Developing character is always your choice. Every time you make a character-based decision you take another step forward in your Spiritual growth.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Burning Focus
From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Do you know what the problem with many of us is?
Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24).
Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that.
You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.”
When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things contribute to the main thing.
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus and you’ve made it!
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Do you know what the problem with many of us is?
Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24).
Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that.
You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.”
When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things contribute to the main thing.
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus and you’ve made it!
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