Let it Ring

SCRIPTURE
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of sever suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia - your faith in God has become known everywhere.

I Thessalonians 1:4-8

OBSERVATION
What a success story of a new community of believers.  The church is Thessalonica began with a bang.  Paul commends the church for becoming a model to other believers.  It's interesting here that Paul uses the singular "model" emphasizing the community of believers rather than "models," which would emphasize individuals.  It seems like a portion of their success happened because they were a true community.  Of this community, Paul admired their "work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope."  The result, the message of the Lord rang out from Thessalonica to the ancient world.  

APPLICATION

What a community of faith!  Not only were the Thessalonicans a model to the believers in their day, but they are a model for us today.  And they are model not just how we are to live as individual believers, but as a community of Jesus' followers.  Together, we can pursue work produced by faith.  Together, we can develop labor prompted by love.  And together, we can experience endurance inspired by hope.  We truly are better together when we are a Christ-centered community.  If we can do this, then, like the Thessalonicans, our faith, love and hope will "ring out" to those around us.

PRAYER
Father, help Koinonia to be a place of true community characterized by faith, love and hope.  Use us to spread your message of grace and mercy to those who haven't heard.

Thanksgiving

SCRIPTURE
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:50-51

OBSERVATION
The crucifixion was a violent and brutal event.  Jesus was beaten, bruised and bloodied even before he reached the cross.  All this was done for the sake of restoring God with his creation, so that we could have a new life in God.  At the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  The curtain formed the entrance and barrier to the Holy of Holies.  It separated God's holiness from humanity's sinfulness.  Jesus' act on the cross removed this separation.  

APPLICATION
What a great reminder of Jesus' love for us.  He willingly endured suffering and death so that we could be made whole, so that we could experience a new life in God's presence.  How appropriate that this passage fell on Thanksgiving.  We have many things to be thankful for, but nothing should outweigh our thankfulness for God's love.  

PRAYER
Father, thank you for salvation.  Thank you for deliverance.  Thank you for grace and mercy.  Thank you for your love.

Religious Stuff

SCRIPTURE
Everything they do is done for men to see:  They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

Matthew 23:5-7

OBSERVATION
Here, Jesus talks about the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.  He says that their source of motivation is pride and recognition.  On the outside, they do all the "religious" stuff.  They not only do the religious stuff, they excel at the religious stuff.  They wore big phylacteries. Phylacteries are a pair of black leather boxes containing scrolls with biblical verses.  They were worn to serve as a remembrance of God's deliverance.  The same was true of the tassels.  Two items that were supposed to remind the Jews of God's deliverance and faithfulness were twisted into objects of pride.

APPLICATION
Like the Jews, how often have I taken something that is intended to draw me closer to God and used it to bring attention to myself.  Maybe a prayer, a comment, a message, a blog entry....  Like the Pharisees, I've take religious stuff and used it to build myself up in the eyes of others.  At times, I've let the opinion and perception of others cloud my pursuit of God.  But, I'm not living my life for others.  I'm living my life for God.  Or, at least, I want to be.  I need to consistently place my focus of God.

PRAYER
Father, forgive me for those times when I have drawn attention to myself rather than to your glory.  Help me to live my life solely and wholly for you.

490

SCRIPTURE
The servant fell on his knees before him.  'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'  The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.  But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.  He grabbed him and began to choke him.  'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

Matthew 18:26-28

OBSERVATION
Here is a story of a servant who has been forgiven greatly, but when given the opportunity to forgive another, he withholds grace.  Jesus tells this parable when asked by the disciples how many times we are to forgive someone.  The disciples were looking for a specific answer, something like, "7 times, that ought to do."  But Jesus responds by telling them they should forgive 70 times 7, 490 times.  490 times!  Jesus seems to take away the rational of trying to count how many times we've forgiven someone.  Who could remember that many instances?  Who would keep a tally?  And then, just after dropping the 490 bomb, he tells this parable.  The point?  It's not about numbers, it's about being a forgiving person.  Forgiveness is not something  a 'to do list,' but rather an inner attitude of the heart that stems from love.  

APPLICATION

I have to be careful not to look at forgiveness as something "to-do."  Sometimes, I can think I need to forgive someone out of Christian duty or obligation.  And while we are directed by Jesus to forgive others, Jesus seems to want us to be forgiving people.  People who forgive from the heart in response of the great forgiveness that has been extended to them.  That great forgiveness was motivated solely by love.  My forgiveness towards others should be the same.

PRAYER
Father, help me to become a person so full of your love, that I naturally forgive those who hurt me.

So What Are You Worried About?

SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


OBSERVATION
Matthew 6 verses 25-34 are all about not worrying about personal needs being filled. Whether food, clothes or the future, the passage reminds us that God is big enough to care for each and every one of us. Worrying does no good at all!

Verse 27 says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" And yet that is what we do all the time. In this time of economic downturn, it is so easy to start worrying about the future and about whether there will be enough for tomorrow. We start to worry and we start to hoard and hold rather then give and release. What good is it? None at all.

Above all, the principle to remember is that when we seek God's kingdom first, then everything else will be taken care of. Keep the priorities straight and He will supply all of our needs. It is so simple and yet we get distracted and filled with disbelief so often.

I had a father in the faith tell me recently, "God's people will be just fine in this economic downturn." This man had learned the principle of seeking God first, and has seen, time and again, that God provides for His children. He wasn't worried and He wasn't going to worry.


APPLICATION
Today I am not going to worry about the future. I'm not going to worry about the economic markets or downturn. Yes, I am going to pray about it, but I'm not going to be panicked. I'm not going to stop giving and I may even give more! After all, if God is the one who supplies, His economics are not dependent upon the world's!

PRAYER
Lord, today help me to keep my focus on pursuing You and Your Kingdom. You promise that you will supply all my needs (not all my wants) according to Your riches in glory. Let me not spend wasted time on worrying about things I can do nothing about. I love you! Amen.

Resist the Devil

SCRIPTURE
Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.


OBSERVATION
It is always instructive to look at how Jesus responded to the temptation of the Enemy and to also see how long the Enemy put up a fight! I have heard people yell at the devil many times — but one of the most effective strategies, I think, is this one modeled by Jesus. When the Enemy tempts Him in the wilderness, Jesus does not yell and scream, He simply resists the Devil's attacks by responding with the Word of God. If this is not spiritual warfare, what is?

Further, the devil can only fight for so long! I love this part! He attacks Jesus three times and then leaves.


APPLICATION
The Word of God is our sword -- it is our weapon that is suitable for, as Paul says to Timothy, "reproof, correction and training in righteousness." It is sharp and it is effective. But do I know how to use it? Do I apply the Word when the Enemy attacks? Or do I respond with noisy but not so effective responses? Today, I will use the Word to respond to the attack of the Enemy!

The C3 technique taught in the Battlezone men's discipleship training program is this. When encountering temptation:
1. Call a timeout.
2. Confess the temptation and ask God for the way of escape.
3. Choose to obey the Holy Spirit and walk away from temptation, declaring His Word appropriate to the occasion.

PRAYER
Lord, as I commit even more to hide your Word in my heart, teach me how to use this powerful weapon against the attack of the Enemy. Make me a warrior like Jesus! Amen.

Holiness is Key

SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 12:21
I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

OBSERVATION
Paul is very concerned with the purity of the church. In this section he spends a lot of time demonstrating his credentials so that the Corinthians know that he is qualified to speak to them with authority. He does so in order that they would respond to his message -- the message of repentance!


APPLICATION
My purity and holiness is VERY IMPORTANT! I am part of the church and Christ desires His bride to be pure and ready for His return. The question I must ask myself is, "What am I doing to maintain the bride's purity?" Similarly, I must encourage others to live their lives in purity for Christ's sake. It is so easy to mess up and then go on as if nothing every happened, but Paul is saying 'repent'!

PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for allowing impurity to creep into my life! It seems that I am surrounded on every side by a world that seeks to convince my that small compromises are okay — but a little sin is like a little leaven, it spoils the whole loaf! Father, help me to resist the enemy today and to walk in your power! Amen.

SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.


OBSERVATION
There is so much in this section! But I write today of what jumped out at me from the very beginning...the first verse! Paul is reminding those who believe in Christ to purify themselves. Believers are to purify themselves because of the promises — what promises? The promises Paul has been laying out from chapter one to chapter six: God has delivered us from the sentence of death, that we are victorious in Christ, that we are part of the New Covenant and have hope in the resurrection and in the presence of the Spirit of the Lord, and on and on.

Further, he is directing believers everywhere to purify themselves from EVERYTHING that contaminates body and spirit. Believers are to pure in both their physical body and in the spiritual beings.

APPLICATION
How quickly I forget that my job here on earth is not to make myself happy, not to accomplish my goals, and not to look out for number one. I can so easily find excuses for small compromises that demonstrate a decided LACK of faith in His promises. When I buy the enemy's lies that the Father's ways are somehow not fulfilling and that the way of the flesh will make me happy, I rob myself of the victory that He wants to demonstrate in me.

Today I declare that I am a vessel made for the Master and that His holiness will dwell in me! Today, I lay aside thoughts, impurities, greedy fingers, gossiping lips, deceitful words, wandering eyes — and I seek His strength and power!

PRAYER
Lord, thanks for the reminder and the encouragement! I am not my own, I am bought with a price! I sacrifice the desires of my flesh now so that Your holiness might be present in me. Because of your direction, I determine to walk in your ways, not by my power, but by Your Spirit. Amen.

Let Us Not Become Weary

SCRIPTURE
Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

OBSERVATION
I've often used this verse to encourage myself whenever the going gets tough or I just don't "feel like" doing whatever . . . and not because of the harvest I will reap. I press on because I know it's what Jesus did. How many times does the Bible record that Jesus was tired and yet the people followed Him, wanting more and more of Him. He pressed on, but did make time to get away and pray and, on occasion, rest.

Verse 10 goes on to say that 'as we have opportunity' we are to do good to others, especially Christians. Hmmm, how many times have I had an opportunity and let it pass me by? How many times has an opportunity presented itself and I was simply not sensitive enough or in tune with the Holy Spirit enough to see it as such?

APPLICATION
Here's what I'm taking away from these verses today. First, unless I'm praying or getting needed rest, I will press on - not becoming weary in doing good. God will give me what I need to overcome my weariness. Secondly, I am going to look, I mean REALLY look, for the opportunities to do good to all people on a regular . . . no, on a daily basis.

PRAYER
Father, I pray for supernatural ability, strength and energy when it comes to doing good. Please give me wisdom to discern what "good" I should be doing so I do not try to do everything. I know you have not called me to do everything. So I ask that it is clear to me what good I am to do. I also pray for Your sensitivity and love when it comes to opportunities I am to act upon. Let not another such opportunity pass me by due to lack of caring or awareness. Amen.

Zealous for the Right Purpose

SCRIPTURE
Galatians 4:18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.


OBSERVATION
Paul is writing this letter to the Galatians because they are being persuaded by others to go back to the old covenant law and away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul observes that they are falling back into old legalistic habits that the Pharisees observed to gain favor in God's eyes. He says that these people are zealous to win the Galatians over, but for no good. He even states in verse 11 that he fears he has wasted his efforts on them.

Paul goes on to state that it is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good.


APPLICATION
So, if Paul tells us it's okay to be zealous for the right purpose, we must only be zealous for Jesus. But not like a crazy zealout, who acts out in silly, embarrassing ways which might turn people away from Jesus. But, instead, to be on fire for the Lord in a righteous zealousness that can be used by the Holy Spirit in pointing others to the kingdom of God.

What attracted me to this verse is that Paul goes on to say to the Galatians that they are to do so even when he is not with them.

This immediately reminded me that I am to pursue righteousness and to be on fire for the Lord at all times, not just when people are watching. I am to live out Jesus' love constantly, not only when I'm in church or around other Christians. I am to be transparent in my life because the One King who matters most of all is always observing me.

PRAYER
Father God, please make me mindful, every second of every day, that You are observing how I reflect your Son. Keep me aware that, at times - to some people, I am the only representative of Christ they might see. Forgive me when I fall short of being on fire with a zealousness that would attract others to your kingdom. Thank you for Your son, THE example and for Your word, our guide to life. Amen.

Don't Take for Granted . . .

SCRIPTURE
Job 29:2-6 How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.


OBSERVATION
Job has lost everything - family and servants, wealth and material possessions, his respect and credibility in the community. He feels deserted by God. He feels that God has taken away all of His blessings.

In these verses, Job cries and longs for the days when all of these things were still a part of his life. He acknowledges that all of these blessings were from God and since they have all been stripped from him, he assumes that God is no longer with him.

He indicates that those were the days of his prime. When everywhere he went, God's light lit his way. It would be easy to see how he felt that God was gone. Not only is everything gone, but he is also being falsely accused of wickedness as a result of all of these curses.

How confused Job must have been through all of these trials. Here was a man, living a righteous life suffering horror upon horror! But even in the midst of all of this, Job does not curse nor blame God. He does not reject nor deny God. He merely feels separated from Him.

How often we question God over much smaller things. The Bible tells us our righteousness is like filthy rags. Yet we cringe at the thought of trials and losses much smaller than what Job endured. We are always asking, "why?".

APPLICATION
I think I can use Job as a model for me in two ways. #1 - Don't take for granted the blessings God has given me - family, children, home, provision, credibility, respect, and #2 - when I am feeling cursed or separated from God, realize that He is always there; He is always in control; He loves me more than I can comprehend; He has my best interest at heart; and He will deliver me.

PRAYER
Lord, I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for all that You have blessed me with! It is more than I deserve. I also ask forgiveness for the many times I have questioned You and pray that I will become totally blind in my faith and trust upon You - at all times and in all situations. AMEN.

I Will Maintain

SCRIPTURE
Job 27:2-6 As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.


OBSERVATION
Because Job is being persecuted, he has been accused of wickedness. Here he defends himself against these accusations and continues to stand up for righteousness. He states he will never admit to what he has being accused of and that until he dies, he will maintain his integrity. It sounds that he is not only defending himself but also reaffirming his Godly life - to others and to himself. It feels like he is encouraging himself to 'fight the good fight', despite the doubts of others.


APPLICATION
While reading these Scriptures, I was so moved by Job's stand. The entire chapter speaks to his determination even in the darkest of days. He's lost everything and nearly everyone he loves. His wife and his friends have mocked and accused him. And yet, he continues to stand firm for the Lord.

You know, I'd like to think and say that I would do the same thing if I were in Job's shoes. But, quite honestly, if all of these things had happened to me, I'm not sure how I would react. I often think about how I would conduct myself if I was persecuted for my faith and I imagine a strong stance. I think we all do. But we are weak in our humanness.

So, how to we combat the really BIG battles when and if they come? It has to start with mastering the small battles. It has to be on the foundation of a strong prayer life and relationship with Jesus. We certainly can't do it alone! As humans, we would fail. But, God can provide the supernatural everything that we need in the toughest of times.

I often think the main thing that separates believes from non-believers is that one fact. No matter what hardship we may encounter, we have a hope that is Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Father, strengthen me daily so that I can stand firm when the storms come. I want to remain steadfast in my reliance upon you. Strengthen my faith and keep me in a daily pursuit of righteousness. Amen.