May 14 18
Obstacles to Fulfilling Our Ministry
“Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” Colossians 4:17 NLT
The Bible tells us that every believer in Christ has a ministry to fulfill. The apostle Paul wrote: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17 NASB) And again, he stated: “Complete the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 4:5 NLT) What are some of the obstacles to fulfilling our ministry that we might face as we live our lives for Christ?
Sloppy living is one. Instead of living the selfless, holy lives that the Lord has called us to, we become self-absorbed and self-indulgent. We choose relationships outside of God’s will for us. We focus on worldly concerns, instead of on the Lord’s plans and purposes for our lives. We long for the approval of others, instead of the praise from God. Paul wrote: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians 1:10 NLT) Simply put, people pleasers will not complete their ministry. Neither will those who settle for a sloppy lifestyle. Scripture says: “Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.” (1 Timothy 4:16 TLB) Christlike character enables us to fulfill the call of God on our lives, and to impact others for Christ.
Another way we can leave our ministry unfinished is to wear ourselves out and quit. We neglect our health. We have poor eating habits. We don’t set reasonable boundaries for our work. And worst of all, we try to perform our work in our own strength, instead of depending on God’s. The Bible says: “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified.” (1 Peter 4:11 NASB) The Lord wants us to depend upon His Spirit for divine enablement, so that the work we do in His name will be fruitful, without wearing us out. When we are relying on God’s power in our work, there should be a “flow” to it; it should not be a major struggle. As a result, we will be less likely to quit and walk off the job. And as we prove ourselves faithful, the Lord increases our strength, and entrusts us with more opportunities and responsibilities. As Paul wrote: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him.” (1 Timothy 1:12 NLT)
Becoming angry, resentful, or indignant can also prevent us from fulfilling our ministry. We become results-oriented, and resent it when our expectations aren’t fulfilled. We chafe at a lack of recognition, reward, or pay. We become offended when others don’t do what they’re “supposed” to in our sight. We desperately want to feel significant, but we keep going about it the wrong way. Scripture says: “Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” (James 4:10 AMP) As we surrender ourselves and our desires to God, He will fill our lives with purpose and meaning, and He will use us, bless us, and promote us in extraordinary ways. Paul had the right idea when he said: “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:24 NLT)
Adopting the attitude that others will do the work instead can hinder us from completing our ministry. We may minimize our value or worth. We may think that others are able to do a better job than we can. We fail to understand that there are things that only we can accomplish for the Kingdom, and that no one else can fulfill our purpose on this earth. The Bible says: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) You were created by God with specific plans and purposes in mind. You have a divine destiny, and only you can fulfill it. There may be people on this earth that only you can reach. You have a job to do! Do it with enthusiasm, thankfulness, and joy – knowing that you will make an eternal difference in this world.
Lord, today I surrender to You anew all that I am, and all that I have. Reveal to me the nature of the ministry that You have called me to perform at this time in my life. Teach me how to rely on Your Spirit to equip and empower me to serve You. Thank You that as I follow Your lead, I will live a life of victory, blessing, and purpose!
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May 7 18
Be Merciful and Blessed
“How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ‘It’s his own fault’? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.” (Job 19:28-29 NLT)
When my husband, Joe, and I moved to our current home with our two young sons many years ago, we realized pretty quickly that the children in our neighborhood were, for the most part, troublemakers. So we made the difficult decision of forbidding our sons to play with them. As a result, we began experiencing a barrage of attacks on our home and property. The destruction to our house was so severe that our insurance company eventually paid to have all of our aluminum siding replaced. When the attacks were especially serious, we would call the police, and even get the courts involved, which, unfortunately, did us very little good. Once, when the police did come to our aid, Joe overheard one of our neighbors telling them, “They deserve it! They’ve brought all this on themselves!” We were shocked, and could hardly comprehend that this lady would think that we deserved such mistreatment because we set boundaries for our children which we knew were in their best interests. Not long after that, this lady’s husband left her for another woman, and her life and family have never been the same since.
When I think about this woman, I can’t help thinking about some verses in the book of Job which say – “How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ‘It’s his own fault’? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.” (Job 19:28-29 NLT) Our hostile neighbor never realized that her spitefulness was going to cause her to reap a bitter harvest that would tear apart her own family. I have learned over the years how wishing harm to come to someone can have a boomerang effect, and can come back to haunt us in the future. Jesus said as much when He told us – “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier.” (Luke 6:37 MSG)
Joe and I forgave our neighbor long ago, and we have been on good terms with her for many years now. We never bring up the past, or accuse her for her hurtful words or attitude. And God has blessed us greatly in this neighborhood by causing us to live in peace here, and to find favor with all of our neighbors.
Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 NIV) Who is it that you need to show mercy toward today?
Lord, I long to be merciful, just as You are merciful. Please work in my heart, so that I can show everyone the kind of love and respect that You do. Guard me from a bitter, spiteful, and critical spirit. Remind me that You have forgiven me for a lot, and I need to forgive others. (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32) Thank You for the rewards and blessings that I will reap as I love and live Your way!
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“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Let me ask you something today. How aware are you that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, as stated in the verse above? Is your awareness enabling you to receive all the benefits of your salvation? You and I may never have perfect faith, but the truth is that we only need the simplest of faith to receive many of the blessings of our righteousness – our right standing with God through Christ. Let’s look at two of them here.
Scripture tells us: “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT) This truth alone is enough to make Satan and his demons shudder. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians never realize the “great power” that their prayers have, so they have a tendency to pray less than they should. This passage of Scripture goes to great lengths to try to help God’s righteous ones to understand the power of their prayers, as the next verse says: “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (v. 17) Think about that. The prophet Elijah did some amazing things, as recorded in the Bible, yet the text here says that our prayers have just as much power as his did. Many times, when I’m praying, especially when my faith is being stretched to believe for a miracle, I will declare – “I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, and my prayers are powerful and effective!” (NIV) Then faith rises up in me to dispel all doubt.
Next, the Bible tell us that “[Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NASB) Because Jesus took upon Himself our sin, and gave us His righteousness instead, we are no longer slaves to sin. (Romans 6:22) We may still sin, but now, we don’t have to. Now we have a choice. And as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ all the time. (Romans 8:29) When the Scripture says, “by His wounds you were healed,” some Bible scholars and Christians believe that it only refers to spiritual healing, but countless more believe it refers to healing for our spirits, souls, AND bodies. I personally agree with the second group of folks, and I have proven it in my own life and body countless times. Because we live in a fallen world – and in fleshly bodies – we will still sometimes sin, and we will likewise sometimes suffer from sickness and disease. I not only pray for healing when I need it, but I speak authoritatively to my body – and to sickness and disease – and I have seen God work miracles on my behalf. I still have some health problems that persist, but that doesn’t stop me from praying and standing on God’s promises of healing for my mind and body. And when a symptom attacks my body, I declare with confidence and conviction – “I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, and by His wounds I am healed and made whole!”
I encourage you to spend extra time in the Scriptures searching out the benefits of your righteousness in Christ. Then work with God to reap the fullness of His blessings in every area of your life!
Lord, please give me revelation from heaven – and help me to apply it to my life – so that I always have a keen awareness of my righteousness in Christ. Teach me about all the benefits of my salvation, including answers to my prayers, and healing for my spirit, soul, and body. Thank You that as I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, I will have everything I need to live the abundant life in Christ! (Matthew 6:33)
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Apr 22 18
How to Maintain Your Peace
“God wants His children to live in peace.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 NLT
I have gone through periods of my life when I have let my problems – and the problems of others – bother and affect me more than is healthy or wise for me. When this was happening to me recently, the Lord showed me two ways to maintain my peace and joy right in the midst of my troubles.
First, He told me, “DON’T THINK ABOUT IT.” Before I began studying the Bible in-depth, I honestly believed that I had no control over my thought-life. Then I read, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV) The truth is that as believers, you and I have Holy Spirit power on the inside of us to “cast down” the thoughts that are opposed to God’s Word and ways. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV) Years ago, the Lord taught me to say – “I’m not having that thought! Jesus doesn’t think like that, and neither do I!” – every time a thought came into my mind that was opposed to “the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) Scripture promises that when we deliberately shift our thoughts to the Lord – trusting His character and His good intentions for us – we will enjoy His unshakable peace in the midst of problems: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
The Lord’s will for us is to be filled with His peace no matter what is going on in our lives, but He requires our cooperation. Remember the passage where Jesus tells His disciples that He’s leaving them His peace? In the Amplified translation, we find that we have a part to play in order to enjoy this kind of peace: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop ALLOWING yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not PERMIT yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” (John 14:27 AMP) Since Satan and his dark forces are constantly working overtime to steal our peace, we are going to have to be aggressive in holding on to it, with the Spirit of God’s help. In Psalm 55:22 (NIV), David the shepherd-king says, “My thoughts trouble me…” We are working against ourselves when we allow our own thoughts to make us miserable.
The second thing God told me was, “DON’T TALK ABOUT IT.” One of the truths that the Lord has been impressing upon me lately is in Proverbs 21:23 (AMP): “He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards himself from troubles.” The New Living Translation puts it a little more bluntly: “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.” The older I get, the more painfully aware I become of how many times I make my problems worse by opening my mouth when I should keep it shut. My loved ones can tell you how many times I have told them, “You can’t un-ring a bell,” when I was warning them to watch their words. So many times, I have wished that I could take my words back, and suffered unnecessary pain and damaged relationships because I simply said too much.
When I was growing up, there was a popular saying that went like this – “Tell it like it is.” There was even a popular song with that title at the time. Well, I’m here to tell you that according to the Word of God, “telling it like it is” isn’t always a good idea. One Scripture that has helped me in this area is, “Steer clear of foolish discussions which lead people into the sin of anger with each other. Things will be said that will burn and hurt for a long time to come.” (2 Timothy 2:16-17 TLB) Our words have consequences. God warns us about this fact time and time again in His Word, including in Proverbs 18:21 (AMP): “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.” God’s will for us is to live in peace, but we can actually relinquish our peace by speaking words that invite trouble, chaos, and strife into our lives and our relationships.
Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT) Let’s you and I cooperate with the Savior to maintain our peace, so that others will be drawn to Him through us!
Lord, You make it clear in Your Word that it is possible to live in this world while enjoying Your matchless peace. Teach me how to continually reject the wrong thoughts, and to replace them with Your thoughts instead. Instruct me how to speak words of life and healing when I am tempted to say the wrong things. Thank You that as I cooperate with You in this area, I will enjoy the peace that surpasses all comprehension all the rest of my days! (Philippians 4:7 NASB)
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Apr 16 18
How to Read the Bible
“I will not neglect Your word.” Psalm 119:16 NIV
Most Christians know that if they want to live the life of victory and purpose that Jesus died for them to have, they have to devote themselves to reading and studying the Bible. There are many ways to do that, but let me share some here with you, so that if you have been struggling in this area, you might be encouraged and inspired.
First, as we read the Bible, we should pray. It has been rightly said that the prayer that heaven answers is the prayer that originates in heaven. How do we pray the prayers of God’s heart? We begin with the revealed will of God, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. The apostle John wrote: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” I have been a praying Christian all my life. But not until I began studying the Scriptures did I experience the power of praying God’s Word.
Too often, believers pray problem-centered prayers. Then they wonder why their prayer life is “hit or miss.” But when they learn the principle of praying promise-centered prayers, they experience the power that Holy-Spirit-inspired prayer produces. Suppose you have a financial need today. You open your Bible and ask the Lord to lead you to principles and promises that will help you to receive His best in the matter. You then pray and stand on those Scriptures until your need is met. If your wait is long, or if your faith falters, you remind the Lord and yourself what His Word says. Isaiah 62:6 (AMP) says: “Put the Lord in remembrance of His promises.” Be determined to do that in prayer until your answer comes – and watch the Lord work!
Second, as we spend time in the Scriptures, we should worship God. Over the years, I have heard many men and women of God say that the best way to learn to worship the Lord is by praying the Psalms. This is how I learned to worship God myself. No matter how busy I am, I try to read at least one psalm a day. I declare the praises to God that it contains, and I pray the prayers back to Him. I have discovered that doing this can enable me to release my burdens and cares, and to receive healing for my mind, my emotions, and my body. The truth is that worshiping God is good for us. We don’t do it for selfish reasons, but it is the Lord’s nature to bless us when we bless Him. He can’t help Himself.
In Psalm 103 (NLT), David declares: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.” (v. 1) David calls upon his whole being to join his lips in worshiping God. Then he moves on to reminding himself and the Lord of all of His blessings toward His servants: “May I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” (v. 2-5) As we voice God’s Word in praise and thanksgiving, we call forth the rewards and blessings that He longs to have us receive by faith.
Third, as we read the Bible, we should listen for the Lord’s answers. The psalmist declared: “I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say.” (Psalm 85:8 AMP) When we approach the Lord with an open Bible, prepared to listen and obey, He will speak to our hearts. Proverbs says: “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT) As we spend time in God’s Word – reading it, studying it, and meditating upon it – we will receive instruction from the Lord that will lead to victory and wholeness for every area of our lives.
But there’s more. Scripture says: “Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from your law; You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.” (Psalm 94:12-13 NIV) If we will allow God to use His Word to instruct and correct us, there’s a good chance that He won’t have to use painful circumstances or other people to do it, and we will save ourselves a lot grief and humiliation. God longs for us to come to Him with an open Bible and an open heart. Let’s not keep Him waiting.
Lord, give me a passion for You and Your Word that will cause me to seek You each day in the Scriptures. Teach me how to use Your Word to pray and to worship You in ways that please You most. Thank You that as I spend more and more time in Your Word, I will become more and more sensitive and obedient to Your voice!
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Apr 9 18
Keep Yourself from Being Polluted
“If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” Proverb 25:26 NLT
My husband, Joe, and I used to have an African Violet plant in our home that refused to bloom. We would give it the proper sunlight, and would water it according to the directions, but we still couldn’t get it to bloom for us. Then one day, I decided to stop giving it tap water, and to give it filtered drinking water instead. Suddenly, beautiful purple flowers began springing up, and Joe and I were amazed and delighted.
While thinking about this plant during my prayer time one morning, the Lord led me to Proverbs 25:26 (NLT), which says, “If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” He began teaching me about the importance of “water quality” in the life of a believer. And He told me that when we yield to wickedness, instead of opposing or reproving it, we become polluted, and we lose the opportunity to make a difference for Christ.
The apostle James talks about this when he says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this…to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27 NIV) If we are sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading, it is entirely possible for us to keep ourselves from becoming polluted. The Spirit of God will let us know when we are about to watch or look at something that has the potential to pollute us. He will warn us when we are about to say something that we will regret later on. And He will guide us in establishing boundaries in our lives and our relationships that will protect us from oppression, burnout, and abuse.
As followers of Christ, you and I have a high calling on our lives. (Philippians 3:14) And if we want to fulfill our God-given destiny, we are going to have to say “no” to a lot of the things that the world is saying “yes” to. The Message Bible beautifully records the Lord’s pleas to us in this area when it says: “‘So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,’ says God. ‘Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for Myself.’” (2 Corinthians 6:17 MSG)
Lord, I regret the times that I allowed myself to be polluted by people and things that were not Your best for me. Make me sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit’s leading in all things, so that I can discern the good from the bad, and always choose the good. Show me how to establish godly boundaries, and enable me to enforce them consistently with Your help. Thank You that as I refuse to compromise with wickedness and worldliness, I will reach my full potential in Christ, and I will become a world-changer for Your glory!
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Apr 2 18
By the Obedience of One
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:15 KJV
This verse, written by the Apostle Paul, has special meaning for me. I can still remember the day the Lord showed it to me in a fresh new way. I was feeling very discouraged over the lack of faith of several of my loved ones, and I was pouring my heart out to the Lord, lamenting over my powerlessness to make a difference. He led me to this Scripture, and it fairly leapt off the page into my heart. It became God’s special promise to me that if I would just concentrate on devoting myself to Him, and focusing on my own behavior, He would honor and reward my obedience by using me to impact my loved ones and draw them to Him.
Proverbs 10:17 (NIV) says: “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” The devil will try to convince us that it doesn’t matter how we live, but the Bible says otherwise. Each day, by our actions, we choose to influence others in a positive or negative way. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: “He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.” (Proverbs 10:17 AMP) Just as we can do others a lot of good by living disciplined lives wholly devoted to the Lord, we can also do them a lot of harm by living “sloppy” lives.
When you say this to some Christians, they bristle because they simply don’t want to be held accountable to that extent. But whether they like it or not, God sees them as role models, and they will answer to Him for their selfishness and lack of concern for their fellow man. Instead of seeing this responsibility as a burden, believers should rejoice that they have God-given power to make a real difference in this world for His glory. Job 22:30 (NIV) says: “He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” We don’t have to be perfect to have the “clean hands” that Scripture refers to here. We just need to have a heart that is bent toward God’s will – a heart that wants above all else to please Him. Then the Lord will save even those who are “not innocent,” simply because of our devotion to Him.
James 5:16 (NLT) says: “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” It’s easy for us to doubt the truth of this verse when we have prayed and stood in faith for someone’s salvation and deliverance, and have seen little to encourage us. But God doesn’t want us to depend on what we discern through our five senses. He wants us to go deeper than that, and to firmly believe and hope in His Word. If you have trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, your prayers have immeasurable power. Satan wants you to doubt that, though, because if you don’t, you will persevere in prayer and eventually see the evidence of your prayer power.
One of the main reasons why we don’t see a greater move of the Spirit of God in the lives of others is because most Christians lose heart and give up before they see the answers to their prayers and the fulfillment of God’s promises. I have a relative who I have prayed for and ministered to for years, and who has persisted in unbelief and bitterness toward God and others. Recently, I got so disgusted that I decided I would continue to pray for her, but to do no more than that. I was astonished when shortly afterwards, she began telling me about all the wonderful Biblical teaching she was listening to and being blessed by. These radical changes in my loved one seemed to come “out of the blue.” But the truth is that they were a direct result of the multitude of prayers I said for her, and my determination to set a Christlike example for her.
If there are some loved ones in your life who you long to see saved and delivered, please know that “by the obedience of one,” many can be “made righteous.” You can make a difference in your family, your school, and your workplace. If you will just concentrate on serving the Lord with all your heart, and glorifying Him with your daily life, He will honor your obedience by using you in mighty ways to lead multitudes to Him!
Lord, I thank You for giving me the privilege and the power to touch and change lives for Your glory. Today, I renew my commitment to love and serve You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30-31) Thank You for using me in new and exciting ways for Your glory as I walk in obedience to You!
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Mar 19 18
Gratitude vs. Greed
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
My husband, Joe, has been in the workforce for 50 years, and he is seriously considering retiring in the near future. Now, more than ever, he is surrounded by coworkers who are constantly expressing their fears about not having enough money for their retirement. The interesting thing about this is that many of these people already have more money than they could ever spend in one lifetime. Some of them are collecting multiple pensions, and have a surplus of savings in their bank accounts, in addition to their present ample income.
Whenever Joe talks about these fearful folks, it’s plain to see that my husband simply cannot fathom their rationale. In my case, I “get it,” because I always think of the above-mentioned Scripture saying, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” The truth is, I pity these people who will never be “satisfied.” The more they accumulate, the more they will crave, simply because they “love money.” And they will never be happy, because we were designed by God to find contentment, fulfillment, and satisfaction in Him and Him alone.
A few verses down in this passage of Scripture, it says, “We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.” (Ecclesiastes 5:15 NLT) If we live our lives keeping this truth in mind when we are tempted to envy others, or to strive for more than God knows is best for us, we will be able to maintain the proper perspective and priorities. And our hearts will be filled will gratitude, instead of greed.
The Bible says that we should always be “overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7 NIV) How thankful are you today?
Lord, forgive me for the times when I have envied others for having more than I do. Remind me often that when I give You Your rightful place in my life, You will supply all that I need, and I will never suffer lack. (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 34:9) Thank You that as I refuse to love money, and wholly love You, You will give me the ability to enjoy – and be satisfied with – my income and my possessions! (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
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Mar 12 18
God Sees Your Future
“I am God, and there is none like Me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.” Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT
A lady that I know asked me for advice concerning a major decision that she needed to make. I have ministered to her many times over the years, but I wasn’t sure that I was making any lasting impression on her. So when she told me that she was praying and asking the Lord for His guidance, I knew that the seeds that I had planted over the years had taken root.
This woman had been in business for herself for 30 years. She was currently renting her place of business, and she just got word from her landlord that she had to vacate the premises within the next two months. Should she look for another place to rent? Or should she go to work for someone else? I understood her quandary, because her decision was going to affect her, her husband, and her children for years to come.
I told this lady that if she wanted God’s best for her life, then she needed to tell Him that. I explained to her that while the Lord can see “the end from the beginning,” we can’t. (Isaiah 46:10 NASB) Compared to God, we are very shortsighted. I like to say that while God sees the big picture in every situation, we can only see a snapshot. As we spoke, I could tell that this woman was terrified that she would make a mistake that she would regret for the rest of her life.
We can’t make decisions for other people, but we can point them in the right direction. We can tell them that God created them with very unique and specific plans and purposes in mind, and that He will keep them on course as they seek His will for all of their decisions and circumstances.
When I have a decision to make, I always think of God’s declaration in Isaiah 46:9-10 (NLT): “I am God, and there is none like Me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.” My husband, Joe, and I have been together for almost 45 years, and I know that he loves me dearly. But he can’t see the future, so while I often ask him for his input when I have a choice to make, I still go to God first, and I allow the Lord to have the final say.
The Amplified translation of this verse says that God declares “the end and the RESULT from the beginning.” There are consequences attached to every decision that you and I make. If we want the consequences to be positive, rather than negative, then we must consult the Lord – and follow His lead – in order to avoid getting the kind of results that we are going to regret later on. Do you want God’s best for your life badly enough to consult Him in everything, and to submit to His will?
Lord, I am so grateful that You created me with specific and unique plans and purposes in mind. Work in my heart so that my first instinct will be to turn to You for wisdom and direction whenever I have a decision to make, whether large or small. Remind me that only You can see the future, so while others may have sound advice and good intentions for my life, they are woefully shortsighted compared to You. Thank You that as I consult You in everything, and seek to do Your will, I will reap the results that bring me the greatest rewards!
*Check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store EASTER SALE! All books are 25% off for a limited time at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
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*Join the new J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with all-new mini devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
Mar 5 18
