What do you look for in a friend? Are those the same traits you display to your friends?

Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A Friend Closer Than a Brother

I have a very close friend who is closer to me than my own blood brother. He is such a prayer warrior and devoted to Christ. We always share each other’s lives, confide in one another, and have the trust in each other that it’ll be kept in strict confidence. The proverb says that whoever has many companions may end in ruin, but there is usually that one close friend who sticks closer to us than a brother or sister (Proverbs 18:24). Do you have such a friend? I find many who are looking for such a friend in his or her life, but I tell them to find a friend, be a friend, and be the type of friend you’d want to have.

A Friend Loves at All Times

There are many so-called fair weather friends who have come and gone in my life. They said they were my friends, but when the going got tough, they got going. Others were my “friends” only because they needed something: a loan, a ride, or a favor. When I found out I was being used, I found out they were not really my friends at all. In nature we call these “leeches.” They always suck the life out of you and never give anything in return. The proverb says that a true friend loves you at all times, good and bad, and there is a brother and sister born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). That’s the kind of friend you want, isn’t it? That’s the kind of friend you should be to someone. You love them during the good times and bad, during the joyful times and times of grief. True friends don’t bail out when the going gets tough.

Need a Friend? Be a Friend!

If you are looking for a friend, you must be the kind of friend that you’d want. No one wants a “one-way” relationship. That’s no fun at all. Once we have a friend, we should never forsake them in their old age, and neither should we forsake a friend of the family (Proverbs 27:10a). If you do, you’re not really his friend. Jesus said we are His friend if we do what He commands us to do (John 15:14). If you disobey Jesus, is He really your friend? God spoke to Moses, as it were, face to face as one would a friend (Exodus 33:11). Why did God consider Moses His friend? Because, just as Jesus said, we are God’s friends if we obey Him, which is why Moses was a friend of God. Let me ask you the same question I ask myself: What do you look for in a friend? Are those the same traits you display to your friends? If not, then you’re not really their friend and you’re not someone that others would want to have as a friend

A Closing Prayer

God, You are such a friend of sinners. I just look at myself as a supreme example. I am amazed at Your grace. I want to be a friend of Yours, God, so please forgive me when I don’t act like one. In Jesus’ glorious name I pray.

Amen

Are you waiting for a sign from God? Could he be waiting for you to make the first step of faith?

Matthew 16:4

An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

Which Comes First?

When Peter asked Jesus if he could come to Him and walk on the water, Jesus didn’t give him a sign for nor did Peter ask for a sign before taking the first step. After Jesus said come (Matt 14:29), He expected Peter to take the first step, a step of faith, and sure enough Peter walked on the water (Matt 14:22-33). It went well until Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked down at the water and that’s when he began to sink. Do you think Peter waited for a sign from God like something supernatural or did Peter have to take the first step before the miracle happened and Peter actually walked on water? Peter had to make the first step, a big step of faith, and then Jesus suspended the natural laws of nature by His miraculous powers. If someone wants to see a sign from God before they step out on faith, then is that really faith?

A Radical Faith

Have you ever heard of George Mueller? He started by building five large orphan houses and cared for 10,024 orphans in his lifetime. When he started in 1834 there were accommodations for 3,600 orphans in all of England but twice that many children under eight were in prison because they had no place else to live. Fifty years after Mr. Mueller began his work, at least one hundred thousand orphans were cared for in England alone and the astounding thing is that he never asked anyone for money. What did he do to secure the much needed funds to care for so many children in so many orphanages? He simply prayed. He prayed that if God really wanted him to build these orphanages and care for these thousands of orphans, He would have to provide the funding for it so Mr. Mueller determined to never solicit help from anyone for anything for these orphanages and the needs of the orphans and he was a man of his word. He took the first step of faith and God met him there. If he had waited on a sign from God first, not one orphanage would have ever been built and thousands of orphaned children in England would have probably died. This man had a radical faith and one that trusted God completely.

Walking on Faith

Peter didn’t really walk on water, he walked on faith. Could he really or can any of us really walk on water? No, it takes a powerful faith but God will meet us where are faith takes us. It’s almost like what Solomon wrote that whoever observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap (Eccl 11:4) because they’re waiting to see a sign first before they sow their seed. Consider that the farmer must plant the seed in faith and expect the rains to come and the crops to grow. If the farmer keeps waiting for a sign first, like the coming rains or the warming weather, he might be too late. James wrote that people who say they have faith, but do nothing, really prove that their faith is useless (James 2:14). What about you? Are you waiting for a sign from God? Do you think He may be waiting for you to make the first step of faith?

A Closing Prayer

Father, I know that I lack the faith that You desire in me and that I sometimes hesitate to take that first step of faith. Please help me to know when to take that radical step of faith and when not to and to not keep looking for signs from You first and in Jesus’ great name I pray.

Amen

Are you teaching the children in your life by saying or doing?

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.

What is Seen over What is Heard

I believe that we can talk till we’re blue in the face but our actions will always drown out our words. Children can see right through hypocrisy a mile away. You just can’t fool children. If our actions don’t match our words, our words can be useless. Instead, let our actions do the talking for us. When our children hear us say things like “Tell them I’m not home” (after someone calls for you) or if we talk badly about someone behind their back after speaking to them in a nice way in front of them, children will see that our words mean nothing. They can’t hear what we say if our actions are drowning out our words. They will do what you do, not necessarily what you say, so the question is, are we teaching our children by what we are saying more than by what we are doing? You surely know the answer to that

Watch Your Actions

In the Old Testament, God frequently talked about what parents do more than what they say. Why? It’s because our actions communicate more loudly than our words do. God tells parents to be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live and make sure to teach them to your children and to their children after them (Duet 4:9). Notice that God said to be careful, watch our actions closely, don’t’ forget what our eyes have seen, don’t let them fade from our memory and teach them to our children and even our grandchildren. This command is based upon what is seen more than what is said. God was concerned that our children learn to revere Him as long as they live and that means we must teach them to our children (Duet 4:10) but the best teacher is the visual one.

More is Caught than Taught

I remember the story of a father who saw a tiny baby bird that had fell out of its nest. As his young son watched, the father took a ladder out of the garage and put on some latex gloves and lifted the tiny fledgling off the ground and placed it back into the nest. The boy asked his dad why he used the gloves. The boy’s father said that if the mother had smelled the human scent then the mother would have rejected the young fledgling and the baby bird would have starved to death. By this father’s tender, loving action, he taught the boy that we are to care for God’s creatures because God loves His creation and His creatures too, although He loves us much more (Matt 10:31). The boy never forgot this and without a word, the boy’s father taught the young child more than a hundred lectures ever could so again I would ask you and I ask myself this same question; are we teaching the children in our life by saying or by doing?

A Closing Prayer

Father, You are so kind to me and You love me with a tender heart and as a child of Yours, I can see by Your actions in Your Word that You are faithful to Your Word and the greatest display of love by You was not in words but in action; what Jesus did on the cross and so I thank You and praise You in the great and glorious name of Jesus.

Amen

Are you more concerned about your duration or impact on this world?

James 4:14

You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

A Lasting Legacy

C.S. Lewis and Charles Spurgeon are among my favorite people. Compared to today’s lifespan, they didn’t live very long lives, but, wow, did they ever impact our world. Even those who are not believers love the writings of C.S. Lewis, and even though he had a biblical theme of redemption in all of his writings, he is very popular among those who are not Christians. These two men were not that concerned with the duration of their lives, but they still made a huge impact on the world. What about you? What about me? Are we more concerned with our duration in this life or with the impact that our lives will have?

Brevity of Life

If we look at the eternality of God, our lives are nothing more than a vapor or a morning fog–the sun comes up and it’s burned off and gone (James 4:14). Our days are nothing more than a breath and a fleeting shadow, and when the sun appears, poof, it’s vanished (Psalm 144:4), which is why we can’t even brag about what we’ll do tomorrow, for it may never come (Proverbs 27:1). Doesn’t this make you desire to have an impact on the world? No, none of us will ever impact the world like C.S. Lewis or Charles Spurgeon, but we can impact our own little corner of the world: our workplaces, our families, or our communities. Why then should we be concerned about having a long life? What we do for others will live on well beyond after we’re gone.

Passing Away Before our Eyes

Heraclitus once wrote that you can’t step into the same stream twice. Why? Because it changes the very moment you step out of it. Everything is changing except God and His Word (Malachi 3:6). We’ll never get a second chance, and not another minute can our money buy. Our lives are just a passing breeze that moves past us, never to return again (Psalm 78:39). We must redeem every single day and use it for God’s glory (Ephesians 5:16). So ask yourself, are you more concerned about your duration, or are you more concerned with your impact on this world? We know what will have a longer lasting effect, don’t we?

A Closing Prayer

God, I know my finite existence is here today and gone tomorrow and why I need to focus on impacting the world for Your purposes and not my own. What I do for myself will be gone forever, but what I do for others for Your sake lasts forever. For this I am thankful and pray in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen

Do you concentrate more on what other people think about you or what I know about you?

John 12:42-43

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

An Audience of One

The older I get, the more I don’t care what other people think about me. I only know that I want to please God. The reason many didn’t put their trust in Christ was because of what the Pharisees thought and that they’d be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42-43). How sad to let the fear of what others think be the determining factor over what they should or shouldn’t do. The fear or concern of what others think is a huge stumbling block to people (Proverbs 29:25). Who cares what others think–they don’t know your heart anyway. I only care what God knows. We should live for an audience of One, and that is God Himself.

God Plus One

I love what Martin Luther once said, that God plus one is a majority, which is so true. Realize this: If God is for you, why would you ever fear who could be against you (Romans 8:31)? If you know that there’s no condemnation before God (Romans 8:1), you can be at peace about your relationship with Him (Romans 5:1). Isn’t that all we should be concerned about? For those who have repented and put their trust in Christ, they have no need to fear what man can do (Psalm 118:6). At the worst, they can kill the body so all we need fear is that if we’ve never been saved, God can destroy both body and soul (Matt 10:28). If we’ve been born again, we don’t even have to fear death.

The Approval of God

I don’t care if others don’t approve of me. They’re not my ultimate judge anyway. I will stand before God and not before them. Paul asked the rhetorical question of whether he was seeking the approval of man or of God. Was he trying to please man? If he were still trying to please man, he would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). Paul’s point is that if we are seeking only the approval of man, we are not being a servant of Christ. The Greek word for “slave” is “doulos.” What slave is concerned about what someone who is not their master thinks? Do you concentrate more on what other people think about you or what God knows about you?

A Closing Prayer

God, please forgive me for caving into the pressure of what others think. I know that I truly only need to focus on pleasing You because what You think is important, not what others do. Help me to focus on this, and in Christ’s precious name I pray.

Amen

God has given you a purpose on this earth. Are you fulfilling yours or putting it off?

Isaiah 43:7

Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

The Creation

We know from many Scriptures that the creation was intended for God’s glory. Many of the psalms actually say they declare the glory of God and proclaim His work (Psalm 19:1). In this psalm the word “proclaim” is Hebrew for “caphar” and it means “to count, to reckon” and this is a mathematical term and so if you see what Psalm 19:1 is saying is that the vast expanse of the universe all adds up to the glory of God. Why? Because of its appearance of infinity and the enormous size of the universe and by its huge size it proclaims or adds up to our God being even greater. The rule is that something that is created is never greater than the one who created it. Then the word “nagad” in the Hebrew for “declare” means “to be conspicuous, tell, make known” so if the creation declares, proclaims, and makes known God’s glory, what would you imagine would our purpose be for?

The Creator

The tendency of fallen mankind is to worship or serve the creation and not the Creator which is why Paul said that they basically worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself (Rom 1:25) and instead of worshiping Him who is worthy of eternal praise, they worship what they see. If you watch any cable or surf the Internet, you can see how the nature and science shows are fixated on what is created and what creatures there are. They stand so amazed at how this universe operates and the wonder of the creatures in this universe, all the while, ignoring and refusing to give glory to He Who created it. They really know in their hearts that there is a God but because they loved their sin, they neither glorified God or were thankful to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened and they claimed to be wise but they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for that of the images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles (Rom 1:21-23). Just look at these nature programs today and the many ancient cultures of antiquity; both worship the creatures and creation and not the Creator.

The Creature

If you were called by God, then you are called to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). You do this with your praise (Psalm 86:12). You do this in your body (1 Cor 6:20). We were called for His glory (2 Pet 1:3) and we are instructed to declare His glory to others (1 Chro 16:24). Do you see the point in all of these? The creation declares God’s glory. God Himself as Creator is full of glory. And we, His creations, are called to declare His glory. God has given us a purpose here on earth and it is to glorify Him. Are we fulfilling our calling or are we putting it off? Maybe the way in which we live we don’t always glorify Him. I know that I don’t so let’s focus on our purpose; to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

A Closing Prayer

Father, I know that I don’t always glorify You in word and in deed and so please forgive me for how far short of Your glory I fall (Rom 3:23) and help me to focus more on my purpose for which I was created for You are worthy to be praised and to You belong the glory and in Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

What area of your life do you want to change most? What are you going to do about it?

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Renewing My Mind

I have a daily struggle against the flesh, but I’m in good company. So did Paul. For one thing, I don’t do the good that I want to do; instead, I sometimes do the evil that I don’t want to do (Romans 7:19). That’s because no good thing really dwells in me (Romans 7:18), and none of us really seek after God and are righteous in ourselves (Romans 3:10-11). I needed to have the mind of Christ dwell in me richly (Colossians 3:16) and choose the good. I needed not only a new mind, the mind of Christ, but a heart transplant because my heart was desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I needed a new heart and not one of stone but of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26), which means a heart that is soft and pliable where change can take place. How about you? What area of your life do you want to change the most? What will you do about it?

Be More Childlike

To be more childlike doesn’t mean to be more childish. When I was a child, I had to learn to put away childish things and reason like an adult (1 Corinthians 13:11). What Jesus meant was that unless I turned and became like a child, I would never be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). I did change and humble myself, but that change could only come by God’s Spirit. Without God’s Spirit, I had the desire to do what was right but not the ability to carry it out (Romans 7:18). We all must humble ourselves, as children often do (Matthew 18:4), because whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God like a child is never going to enter it (Luke 18:17).

My Own Change

I determined not too long ago to have this be my rule: no Bible, no breakfast. So now I read some from the Old Testament and some from the New Testament every morning before I eat anything. I also started to consistently pray every morning before I did anything else. I know that this will change me because prayer changes me–God and the Bible have power, not me. Without this daily bread and this daily communication with the Father, my day would be a disaster; I can almost guarantee that. What area of your life would you like to change the most? What will you do about it? I asked myself these same questions. Your answers might be different from mine, but change I must. It’s a daily process.

A Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for sending me Your Spirit or I could never change. Please help me to focus on You and Your Word so that I can change, because of myself I can do nothing, and nothing is not a little something. I need Your help by Your Spirit, by Your Word, and by speaking with You every day, and in Jesus’ glorious name I pray.

Amen

How often do you rationalize not helping a person in need?

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Assumptions

I heard a man actually say about someone a church helped years ago that he wouldn’t have helped him and said, “He made his own bed, so now let him sleep in it.” This man didn’t know the whole story. He was a faithful church member but lost his job due to a freak accident, and since he was self-employed and had only liability insurance on his vehicle, he lost his job, too, because he was a newspaper carrier. The man was trying to rationalize his not helping this man hurt in the accident and who’d lost his job by saying he must have done something wrong and, therefore, the church shouldn’t help him. This man assumed wrong. Fortunately, there were enough people who knew what really happened and helped him, and now he’s back on his feet and working again and even supports the church with his offerings. The one man had assumed that he only wanted to take advantage of the church, but that was not true at all. Have you ever done that? Do you know someone who has tried to rationalize not helping someone with a very real need?

A Dead Faith

James once asked what good is it if a brother or sister is poorly clothed and hungry and somebody says “Go in peace; be warmed and filled” but doesn’t help them at all (James 2:15-16). What good is that? That’s like saying “I’m really sorry; I’ll pray for you” but then doing nothing to help them in their real need. What kind of faith is that? James calls it a dead faith (James 2:17). We are commanded to share what we have with the Lord’s people who have need, which is called practicing hospitality (Romans 12:13). The author of Hebrews says that we shouldn’t ever neglect doing good for others and to share what we have because these are the kinds of sacrifices that are very pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16).

Rationalizing

Some people rationalize their disdain for society, possibly because they’re unemployed or under-employed, that it’s okay to steal. At a job I had a few years ago, employees customarily stole from the company and rationalized it by saying, “The company’s making millions of dollars, so they won’t mist it. It won’t hurt them.” That won’t fly in a court of law. You can try to rationalize helping yourself all you want–it’s still stealing. That might have even been a problem in Paul’s day and why he told the church at Ephesus to stop stealing and work for a living so that they’ll have something to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28). The so-called “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31:20 is a woman who opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Jesus Himself said that it’s more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b). Galatians 6:10 says that every time we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. Even so, many rationalize not helping others by assuming they don’t deserve help, thus rationalizing their refraining from helping those in need. How often have you done that? I know I have.

A Closing Prayer

Father, please forgive my tendency to rationalize not helping others, just like I do with trying to rationalize my sins. I have no excuse. Please help me see them the way You see them and not try to explain it away so that I won’t feel I need to help someone in real need. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

How many people on their deathbed do you think have ever said they wished they had a bigger house or better car?

2 Timothy 4:6-7

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Deathbed Wishes

I’ve had the sobering experience of witnessing to people on their deathbeds, and I have yet to hear one of them say they wished they had made more money in their lives. None were concerned with how much they didn’t make. Their only concern at that time was what was going to happen to them after they died. Where would they go? Would it be in the presence of Jesus? Would it be hell? Jesus spoke twice as much about hell as He ever did the kingdom of heaven. Why? Because He didn’t want anyone to go there, and God desires that none should perish apart from being saved (2 Peter 3:9), which should be our desire, too. What about you? What are you most concerned about today? A new car, a new job, more pay, a bigger home? That won’t matter one bit on the day of your death. We all have an appointment with death and, after that, the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Deathbed Conversions

Our elder’s wife had her father move into her home so that she could take care of him since he was dying. Being a nurse, she was qualified to care for him, and she didn’t want to move him to a nursing home, sensing that he didn’t have much time left–she was right. She had the skills to take care of him and also the tender heart to know that he wasn’t saved. A few visits from the chaplain didn’t get through to this man. Our elder wasn’t able to talk to him about knowing Christ. I decided to visit him on a Monday and asked him some questions: Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe that Jesus was sinless and died for your sins and for those who would trust in Him? Do you believe that He was raised from the dead? We went through what is called “the Roman Road” and verses like Romans 3:10-12, 3:23, 10:9-13 and Romans 6:23. He finally believed after a long lifetime, and even though he was too weak to be baptized, that man died in the faith. I visited with him on Monday to share the Gospel. On Friday he was gone.

Last Words

In talking with our elder’s father-in-law, I noticed he never said that he wished he had a nicer car in life, and he never mentioned he wished he had a better job or a bigger home. His only regret I think was that he hadn’t spent more time with his family and that he hadn’t wasted his life, but I reminded him of the thief on the cross. He never had a chance to attend a temple service, and he didn’t have a chance to do any good works for God, yet he was saved on the very last day of his life. Jesus told him he would be with Him that very day in paradise (Luke 23:43). What about you? Have you ever heard anyone on their deathbed say they wished they had accumulated more wealth and possessions? Probably not.

A Closing Prayer

Father, You are so merciful to so many, just like you were to me. You didn’t give me what I truly deserved (called mercy) and then gave me what I didn’t deserve (called grace), and for that most precious of all gifts, I thank You in Jesus’ holy name.

Amen

Is it possible to really fail in life if you are following My lead?

Proverbs 24:16

For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

We All Stumble

We know the proverb says that the righteous can fall, even seven times, but will rise again (Proverbs 24:16). So, yes, it is possible to fail and to fall in life even if you’re following God’s lead. James said that all–that means all of us–stumble in many ways. If no one ever falls, then they’re perfect (James 3:2), so that would rule me out since I’m about as far from perfect as possible. Failure is how we actually learn the way not to do things. I think it was Thomas Edison who said that after failing thousands of times to make a light bulb that worked, he learned by how not to make it work; his persistent failures finally brought success. If you’re following God’s lead, I believe it is possible to fail in life because everything that happens to us always works out for our best (Romans 8:28).

Peter’s Restoration

On the night before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, Peter boasted that he would never betray Jesus (Luke 22:33), but Jesus said that he would do so three times (Luke 22:34). And Jesus told him to strengthen his brothers that when he returned to Him (Luke 22:32). Sure enough, Peter failed Jesus three times by denying Him (Luke 22:56-60). Right after that, Jesus looked at Peter (Luke 22:61), and Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denying Him three times and went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). Just think about how big of a failure Peter must have thought of himself. It must have been an enormous feeling of guilt, remorse, and regret. He had failed Jesus big time, yet Peter was restored and preached one of the greatest sermons in the Bible (Acts 2:14-39). Because of that sermon, about 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41). So Peter’s failure in his life played right into the plans of God.

Paul’s Failure

Paul was about as successful as any man in Judea could be at that time. He had reached a pinnacle that most of the religious leaders only dreamed about. He was of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, a persecutor of the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless (Philippians 3:5-6). He had it made, that was until God struck him down on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-20). He greatly failed in his mission to destroy the church, but then he became the greatest missionary the world may have ever known and perhaps the greatest of all the apostles, although many debate that. In any case, it appeared to the Jewish leaders that Paul had failed in his missionary work, at times being beaten, stone, whipped, flogged, imprisoned, and even left for dead (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). However, what appeared to the world as failure was actually Paul following God’s lead, for He was told that He would suffer many things for Christ’s sake (Acts 9:16), and it proved to be true.

A Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for picking me up when I fall and when I fail. Thank You for the knowledge that even failure is a part of Your plan, intended to make me dependent on You and to trust You through it all, and in Jesus’ mighty name I pray.

Amen

Jesus Calling (February 28, 2017)

STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority, sometimes a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

     Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.

LUKE 6:37; JOHN 3:16-17; ISAIAH 61:10 NASB; PROVERBS 3:11-12

Jesus Calling (February 27, 2017)

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME! Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up. As your circumstances consume more and more of your attention, you are losing sight of Me. Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand. I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

     Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.

PSALM 73:23; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13

Jesus Calling (February 26, 2017)

I AM LEADING YOU, STEP BY STEP, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy--even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you.

     Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me. I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that. Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.

DEUTERONOMY 29:29; PSALM 32:8

Jesus Calling (February 25, 2017)

REST IN MY PRESENCE, allowing Me to take charge of this day. Do not bolt into the day like a racehorse suddenly released. Instead, walk purposefully with Me, letting Me direct your course one step at a time. Thank Me for each blessing along the way; this brings Joy to both you and Me. A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I shower upon you daily. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven's throne room when they are permeated with thanksgiving. In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you.

COLOSSIANS 4:2; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NASB

Jesus Calling (February 24, 2017)

BE STILL IN THE LIGHT of My Presence while I communicate Love to you. There is no force in the universe as powerful as My Love. You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others'. But there is no limit to My Love; it fills all of space, time, and eternity.

     Now you see through a glass, darkly, but someday you will see Me face to Face. Then you will be able to experience fully how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. If you were to experience that now, you would be overwhelmed to the point of feeling crushed. But you have an eternity ahead of you, absolutely guaranteed, during which you can enjoy My Presence in unrestricted ecstasy. For now, the knowledge of My loving Presence is sufficient to carry you through each day.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 KJV; EPHESIANS 3:16-19

Jesus Calling (February 23, 2017)

BE ON GUARD against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don't even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why I tell you to be on guard.

          There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling.

PSALM 89:15-16; HEBREWS 12:1-2 NASB

Jesus Calling (February 22, 2017)

YOU NEED ME EVERY MOMENT. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice--deep dependence on Me or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:17; JOHN 16:24 AMP

Spiritual Maturity {Read Colossians 2:6-15}

Spiritual growth consists most in the growth of the root, which is out of sight.

~ Matthew Henry ~

And now, just as you accepted Christ as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and you will overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7).

 

     One of the dark clouds hovering over the Church of Christ is the large number of immature disciples - people who claim to love Jesus, but because their love lacks substance, their witnessing is ineffective. They need to be fed milk because they are still babies in the faith, though they should already have been on solid food long ago.

     These people gave their lives to Jesus with great sincerity, but there was no spiritual development. The Word tells us to evaluate our spiritual progress in all honesty. The point of departure for spiritual growth is primarily a meeting with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. God leads us to the Word incarnate through His Word. We dare not stop short at this meeting, but allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to deeper knowledge of the Living Christ.

     In doing so, we gradually reach spiritual willingness to discipline and feed our thoughts from the sources God has made available to us: His Word, prayer, meditation, worship and spiritual conversations. This leads to increasing obedience to His will as the Spirit reveals it in our hearts. Without us being aware of it, the image of Christ is revealed more and more in our lives as we grow toward spiritual maturity. Our faith blooms to the enrichment and adornment of that part of earth we occupy in His name.

 

Thank You, Holy Spirit of God, that You help me grow to spiritual maturity. Amen.

Shallow Spiritual Water {Read Luke 5:1-11}

There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit.

~ Dwight L. Moody ~

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish" (Luke 5:4).

     Jesus gave the above instruction to His despondent disciples. They had been fishing all night, without success. Despite physical fatigue, disappointment and the fact that they knew Jesus was not a fisherman, they obeyed Him. 

     Christ gave us His Spirit in our hearts to make us holy. He calls on His followers to venture bravely into deeper spiritual waters, and not flounder in shallow muddy water. Too many of His children waste their spiritual strength on the surface, without ever reaching for the abundant depths.

     Like the early church of Laodicea, we are neither hot nor cold. Because we are lukewarm, we cannot reach, or make use of, the full depths of the life that Christ has in mind for us through His Spirit.

     If this is happening in your spiritual life at the moment, make a decisive and honest effort to do something about it. Be as serious in your approach to your spiritual growth as the situation deserves. Ask the Spirit to let you take to heart the challenge in John 15:4-5: "Remain in Me ... you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me." Don't settle for second best. If His Spirit leads you to the full depths of your relationship with your Savior, you will be rich and strong, surging forward to where Christ wants to take you and use you.

Holy Spirit of God, lead me to the depths so that I may fearlessly follow Christ. Amen.  

Who Rolled the Stone Away? {Read Luke 24:1-12}

Without the resurrection there will not be a Christianity - Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection, and this single factor makes Christianity remarkably one of a kind.

~ Steve Kumar ~

They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance (Luke 24:2).

     When someone is healed from a serious illness, we might say, "The age of miracles has not yet passed." During Easter we celebrate one of God's greatest miracles of all time - the resurrection of Jesus from the dead!

     The question at that moment was, "Who rolled the stone aside?" How did Jesus' dead body come to life again and how did He leave the rock tomb when a heavy stone was covering the entrance? At that time, the guards that were specifically appointed to prevent the body from being stolen fabricated the story that the disciples stole the body. By means of a mighty act of His power, the Eternal God rolled away the stone, brought His Son back to life, and by doing this introduced a new era in history.

     That same God still rolls away stones. He rolls away the stone of our unbelief that declares, "This is impossible! Dead people don't return to life!" He rolls away the stone of our desperation that claims, "In the end, He is also subject to nature and death." He rolls away the stone of our fear and says, "I entered death and tasted the glory of resurrection from death. And so will you!" There is only one explanation of what happened that first Easter morning in the garden - God! Don't seek or ask for any other answer: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

Living Lord Jesus, because You live, Your children will also live. Amen. 

An Independent Opinion {Read Luke 23:44-56}

God can never receive too much praise. ~ Anonymous ~

When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, "Surely this man was innocent" (Luke 23:47).

     Soldiers are usually hardened people. Warfare makes those involved tougher than they would otherwise be. Being a soldier is not for the faint-hearted.

     The officer in charge of Jesus Christ's crucifixion was of a senior rank, a centurion.  He had been part of military life for many years and had probably served in various places. To be put in control of a hundred soldiers meant that he was no fool. To be in control, often in difficult circumstances, you had to be sharp-witted. You had to earn the respect of those under you.

     This officer probably knew something about the farce that Jesus' hearing turned out to be. It is very likely that he saw right through the hypocrisy of the priests and of Pilate and was on guard while his soldiers mocked Jesus. He was in no way unfamiliar with death, and blood was nothing new to him. It was highly probable that he had heard about all the miracles.

     While watching Jesus' last moments, Pilate quietly spoke words that revealed insight and conviction. He could see that Jesus was not an ordinary criminal and he was undoubtedly disappointed that Roman justice had sunk so low to allow this good man to die. His considered opinion was "surely this man was innocent" (v. 47). And, like thousands through the ages, he praised God. Join him today in doing the same!

Lord, our God, we live to praise You. Amen.

Jesus Calling (February 21, 2017)

TRUST AND THANKFULNESS WILL get you safely through this day. Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining: those "sister sins" that so easily entangle you. 

     Keeping your eyes on Me is the same thing as trusting Me. It is a free choice that you must make thousands of times daily. The more you choose to trust Me, the easier it becomes. Thought patterns of trust become etched into your brain. Relegate troubles to the periphery of your mind so that I can be central in your thoughts. Thus you focus on Me, entrusting your concerns into My care.

COLOSSIANS 2:6-7; PSALM 141:8; 1 PETER 5:7

Jesus Calling (February 20, 2017)

LEARN TO LIVE from your true Center in Me. I reside in the deepest depths of your being, in eternal union with your spirit. It is at this deep level that My Peace reigns continually. You will not find lasting peace in the world around you, in circumstances, or in human relationships. The external world is always in flux--under the curse of death and decay. But there is a gold mine of Peace deep within you, waiting to be tapped. Take time to delve into the riches of My residing Presence. I want you to live increasingly from your real Center, where My Love has an eternal grip on you. I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory.

COLOSSIANS 3:15; COLOSSIANS 1:27

Jesus Calling (February 19, 2017)

YOU ARE FEELING WEIGHED DOWN by a plethora of problems, both big and small. They seem to require more and more of your attention, but you must not give in to those demands. When the difficulties in your life feel as if they're closing in on you, break free by spending quality time with Me. You need to remember who I Am in all My Power and Glory. Then humbly bring Me your prayers and petitions. Your problems will pale when you view them in the Light of My Presence. You can learn to be joyful in Me, your Savior, even in the midst of adverse circumstances. Rely on Me, your Strength; I make your feet like the feet of a deer, enabling you to go on the heights.

EXODUS 3:14; HABAKKUK 3:17-19

What in your life have you been putting on hold that I have been asking you to do for a long time?

Ephesians 5:15-16

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Why the Delay?

Have you been thinking about doing something that God has laid on your heart for a long time but you’ve been putting it off? What is it for you? Is it trying to start that home Bible study? Is it inviting your neighbor to church for the first time? Is it accepting the open positon for a Sunday school teacher or substitute at your church? Is it trying to talk to that family member about their need for the Savior? We know that we only have a certain number of days (Ephesians 5:16), and you don’t want to enter the kingdom with any regrets, so take that first step of faith and trust God. If you know it’s God’s will and you feel He’s calling you to do it, don’t stick your toe in the pool–jump in and make the most of every opportunity God is giving you (Colossians 4:5)!

Rewards for Risks

We know that great rewards come for those who take great risks. So what is it that you’ve been thinking about doing for a long time but keep putting off for fear of failure? Some things are risky, but the rewards are often deeply satisfying. I started a nursing home ministry once and had no idea what I was doing. I had wanted to do this for a long time, but the uncertainty of it all kept me from doing it. I had no training, no formal preparation and had no clue about what to expect. So what did I do? I just walked in and visited with the administrator and took it from there. The first time I went in to visit the residents, residents’ family members, and the staff, they all looked at me like “Who is that? What are you doing here? What do you want?” Today they know why I’m there. I finally did what I felt God was asking me to do. Was it easy? Nope. Was it satisfying? Yep!

The Disease of Procrastination

Anyone who’s been infected with what I call the disease of procrastination knows it can be deadly, debilitating, and disabling. It can be overwhelming. It literally freezes you up. I learned in college to always to do the hardest things first. That way things became easier in my assignments as the week progressed. At first I kept procrastinating, like the proverbial Christmas Eve shopper who waits until the last day to do his or her shopping. If there is something you need to do that God’s been calling you to do, let me suggest some advice from my hard teacher called “experience.” Get the hardest part over first. Then it gets easier and you’ll stop putting off what you’ve always wanted to do in your life. This was how it was when I first witnessed to strangers in the mall. It was scary, but afterwards it was such a joyful experience heading home because I stopped putting off for so long what I knew God was calling me to do. What is that for you?

A Closing Prayer

Father, I know it is scary to start something new or to do something I’ve never done before. But if I know it’s in Your Word, which means it’s Your will that I should do it, and I’ve been putting it off for a long time, help me to overcome that first step because I don’t want to resist Your will and want to be obedient to You. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

Are you looking for more meaning in life? Are you searching for it from this world or Me?

Philippians 1:10-11

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What Is God’s Meaning for Our Lives?

According to Isaiah 43:7, everyone who is called by His name was created for God’s glory in whom He formed and made. We know we are referred to as the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3) and that we are God’s own handiwork (Ephesians 2:10a). If the heavens declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1-2), does that mean the creation was created to glorify God too and, since we’re part of His creation, that we were meant to glorify God? It would seem to fit what many Scriptures in the Bible say.

Created for God-Glorifying Works

Did you know that we were created as God’s handiwork and that He appointed us in advance for good works (Ephesians 2:10)? We are actually His instruments who were cleansed for special purposes, made holy, to be useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work that He sets before us (2 Timothy 2:11). Jesus told the disciples that He appointed them so that they should go and bear fruit, and that fruit is intended to glorify God (John 15:16). If you’re looking for meaning in life, are you searching for it in this world or from the trustiest of sources–God? Whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) because that’s why we were created.

Created in God’s Image

Mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and we are intended to be in the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). That’s why we need to put on the new self. We were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24), and what counts is this new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15). No wonder the psalmist says we should praise Him and glorify His magnificent name (Psalm 86:12). Over time we are being transformed into the image of God. So why keep looking for the meaning of life in this world? We already know it’s in doing good for God’s glory and to be remade or refashioned into the image of Christ, day by day.

A Closing Prayer

Father, I am so far short of Your glory (Romans 3:23). I need Your help to become more like Your Great Son, Jesus Christ, so that whatever I do or say will glorify Him, for You desire glory for Your Son, and I know that I should, too. I pray for this in Your Great Son’s name, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Jesus Calling (February 18, 2017)

I AM WITH YOU.These four words are like a safety net, protecting you from falling into despair. Because you are human, you will always have ups and downs in your life experience. But the promise of My Presence limits how far down you can go. Sometimes you may feel as if you are in a free fall, when people or things you had counted on let you down. Yet as soon as you remember that I am with you, your perspective changes radically. Instead of bemoaning your circumstances, you can look to Me for help. You recall that not only am I with you; I am holding you by your right hand. I guide you with My counsel, and afterward I will take you into Glory. This is exactly the perspective you need: the reassurance of My Presence and the glorious hope of heaven.

ZEPHANIAH 3:17; PSALM 73:23-26

Jesus Calling (February 17, 2017)

I AM THE RISEN ONE who shines upon you always. You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone.

     It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don't try to force-fit today into yesterday's mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life.

MATTHEW 28:5-7; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

What is your biggest passion? Have you tried doing this for Me lately?

Romans 9:3

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Paul’s Passionate Desire

If you have read the Book of Romans, you can tell what Paul’s greatest passion was. It was to save as many as God would give him to help save, and one time Paul wrote that he’d even be willing to have his relationship cut off from Christ if only his fellow Jews could be saved (Romans 9:3). Can you imagine that? He was willing to trade his eternal soul in everlasting punishment if only his brothers and sisters might know Christ and be saved. Paul had such a passion for seeking the lost that he was willing to endure beatings with rods, floggings, tortures, and whippings and being stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, freezing, hungry, and thirsty just so he would tell others how they might be saved (1 Corinthians 11:23-27).

Paul’s Passionate Focus

According to historians, both secular and church, Paul was one of the most brilliant men of his day. Yet what was Paul’s passionate bottom line? He was resolved to know nothing more than Jesus Christ and Him crucified, determined to know nothing more than Christ and make Him known among the Corinthians and that Jesus was crucified for them (1 Corinthians 2:2). He deeply desired to know Jesus and His power and the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings, and to even become like Him in His tortuous death (Philippians 3:10). Compared to knowing Christ, he counted everything else as garbage (Philippians 3:8). If he boasted about anything at all, it would be on the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14).

The Disciples’ Biggest Passion

Listen to how the apostles all died and see if you can figure out their biggest passion. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Matthew was impaled by spears and beheaded. Bartholomew, or Nathaniel, as he was sometimes called, was whipped or flayed to death. Philip was impaled with hooks through his ankles and died hanging upside down. James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded. Jude was crucified. Matthias was stoned to death and, even after death, beheaded. James (the lesser, not Jesus’ half-brother) was thrown off the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death. Peter was crucified upside down, thinking himself unworthy to die as Christ did. The Apostle Paul was beaded. Why did they all die? It was because they were willing to go into all the world to preach the Gospel as they were commanded (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). Your passion might not be the same as these men So what is your biggest passion? Have you tried doing this for Jesus lately?

A Closing Prayer

Father, I have such a passion for the lost because someone had compassion enough to tell me how to be saved. I pray, Father, for a daily divinely set appointment that I might tell others how to know the Savior and why they need saving (John 3:36b), and in my Savior’s blessed name I pray.

Amen

Have you ever noticed how inspiring the Bible is, even though it has been the most dissected book in history?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Word Abides Forever

Regarding the Bible, people over the last 2,000 years have burned it and banned it, but never have they broken it. The Word of God cannot be stopped, just like God. The Word of God abides forever (1 Peter 1:25) no matter what people have tried to do. His Word still stands firm in the heavens even after thousands of years, and it will stand forever because, just like God, it is eternal (Psalm 119:89). Everything we see will pass away, but not so with the Word of God (Isaiah 40:8). People have tried to destroy the Bible, but that’s impossible. People have tried to destroy belief in God, but who can destroy God?

Dissecting the Word

I remember dissecting frogs in my biology class in school. This was really not fun, but it was deemed necessary so we could learn more about living organisms and how they function. You can do the same with the Bible but not with the results of what happened to the frog because you cannot kill it. People have tried doing the same thing to the Bible. The Bible has been disparaged, despised, and debated, but it has never been dissected successfully to show that it’s not the Word of God. That’s like saying Jesus is not the Word of God, which the Gospel of John clearly says that He is (John 1:1, 14).

The Inspired Words of God

The Bible is the very power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16) to bring about what God sends it out to do (Isaiah 55:11). It is alive and powerful and cuts down into our innermost thoughts and even the intents of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). The words are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). Try as they might, they cannot destroy it; they can only hate it or love it. The Word does cut, but it cuts in order to heal. Even a surgeon cuts in order to heal, but the Word wounds to bring life. But for those who reject it, it brings eternal destruction. Have you ever noticed how inspiring the Bible is, even though it has been the most dissected book in history? Who can mute the Word of God? Occasionally in my sermons, I say, “Today part of my sermon will be perfect! The part where I read out of the Bible. My part? Not so much.”

A Closing Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your Word, as it brings eternal life to those who believe it. I would not know you except by Your Word, and it stands forever, from generation to generation and for all time, and is just like You–it abides forever and has no end. I thank You for Your Word in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Are you feeling like you need to be better before you can talk to God?

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

No Condemnation

We were all essentially on death row awaiting our execution (Revelation 20:12-15), but then Jesus stepped in and died for us and cleared us from this certain condemnation. So why do many still feel condemned? Why do we feel we are not good enough to talk to God? In reality, none of us are good in and of ourselves (Romans 3:10-12), but Jesus’ shed blood gives us the righteousness of Christ so that now the Father sees us as He sees His own son. This means that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We cannot trust our feelings, but we can trust the Word of God. Who’s going to condemn us? Nobody because Jesus died for us and now intercedes for us, being at the very right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34), and that’s as intimate of an access to God as there is.

Our Mediator Intercedes for Us

Jesus Christ has every right, being God and perfectly sinless, to speak to the Father. But did you know that for those who’ve repented and put their trust in Jesus, they too have this right? But they still need a Mediator or an Intercessor. That Mediator is Jesus Christ. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those of us who draw near to God through Him because he always lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Without this Mediator, we’d have no access to the throne room of heaven. But now, with Christ entering into the Holy of Holies with His own blood, we can speak directly through Jesus to the Father.

The Reconciler

Jesus reconciled us to God by His own blood, by His own death, and the sinless became sin for the sinners. Those of us who were before His enemies are now His very own children, and we’ve been reconciled to God (Romans 5:10) because He died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Our sins had previously separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:11) through Jesus Christ. There was no other way this could have been done except by Jesus (Acts 4:12). So are you still feeling like you need to be better before you can talk to God? You can’t get any better than having the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

A Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through Your Son’s supreme sacrifice, which made it possible to have access to You through my Mediator, Who intercedes for me when I need You, and I need the forgiveness of my sins (1 John 1:9). I thank You in Jesus’ precious name.

Amen

If you had one more day on Earth, what would you wish you had done more?

2 Timothy 4:5

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

One Last Chance

If you knew that you were going to go to be with the Lord tomorrow and this was your very last day on Earth, what would you do? Would you do the work of an evangelist, fulfilling your calling (2 Timothy 4:5)? Would you go to every person you knew who was not saved and plead with them that if they die without believing in Christ, they will face the judgment of God? Jesus told the religious leaders that unless they believed that He was the Great I AM, they would die in their sins (John 8:24). Would you tell them that? Would you be concerned about offending them if you knew this was your very last chance to tell them how to avoid the wrath of God (Revelation 20:12-15)?

Bring Someone With You

I love the idea that we can bring as many men, women, and children with us to heaven as our God permits. When I do funerals, I make sure to tell those who are saved that it’s not goodbye but see you later. But for those who’ve never repented and trusted in the Savior, it’s a final farewell and forever goodbye. I tell them that if they have any hope of seeing their loved one again, they must trust in Christ because unless you believe in Him, you will not be joining your lost loved one in the New Jerusalem. I know that one of my greatest desires is to participate in the harvest of human souls because none of us really knows when our last day will be. So why not act like every day’s your last day on Earth? It will really motivate you to seek the purpose of God, which is that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

Many Profess, Few Possess

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus says in a couple different places that many will believe on Him, but this same many will be told to depart from Him because He never knew them at all (Matthew 7:21-23). Most of the people I talk to believe they’re good people, and that’s why they think they’re going to heaven. But the truth is that none of us are good (Romans 3:10-12), and every human ever born falls far short of God’s holy standard (Romans 3:23). So we need to remind people that nothing they could ever do will save them; it’s what Jesus did (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once more I ask: If you had one more day on Earth, what would you be wishing you had done more? Is it witnessing to the lost? Is it giving to the poor? Is it spending more time with your family? If so, do it today because for all we know, it could be the last day on Earth for us, or Christ could come back today.

A Closing Prayer

Father, help me to make the best of each and every day because each day I’m alive is one more day I can make a difference is this life for others because I might not get a second chance and tomorrow may never come. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen