Jesus Calling

December 20, 2016

Jesus Calling

WHEN I JOINED THE RANKS of humanity, born into the humblest conditions, My Glory was hidden from all but a few people. Occasionally, streaks of Glory shone out of Me, especially when I began to do miracles. Toward the end of My life, I was taunted and tempted to display more of My awesome Power than My Father's plan permitted. I could have called down legions of angels to rescue Me at any point. Imagine the self-control required of a martyr who could free Himself at will! All of this was necessary to provide the relationship with Me that you now enjoy. Let your life become a praise song to Me by proclaiming My glorious Presence in the world.

JOHN 2:11; LUKE 23:35-36; PSALM 92:1-5

Dios Se Preocupa Por Ti

Déle todas sus preocupaciones y cuidados a Dios, porque Él se preocupa por usted (1 Ped. 5: 7}
Muchas personas son incurables. Ellos simplemente deben tener algo de qué preocuparse de lo contrario sería totalmente miserable! Se preocupan por su salud, sus finanzas, su familia y sus amigos. Se preocupan por el futuro, por "lo que pasa en el mundo", se quejan del clima, el crimen y la violencia, y se sienten frustrados porque "las cosas van de mal en peor".
Peter tenía muchas preocupaciones reales. Podría perder su vida cualquier día debido a la persecución de creyentes cristianos. Y lo mismo podía hacer con la gente a la que se dirigía. La fe que defendía podía ser aniquilada. Podría ser socavado por falsas enseñanzas, o por conflictos internos. Casi sucedió - y sin embargo Pedro sabía que Dios estaba allí, sobre todas estas cosas. Él sabía que Dios se preocupaba por él y por todas las personas que estaban amenazadas por estas cosas.
Dios también se preocupa por usted, si está preocupado o no. Él te vigila y Él te verá a través de ti. Por lo tanto, entregue sus cuidados a Él: lo real y lo imaginario, lo grande y lo pequeño. No contenga nada. Permítale que los tome a todos y encuentre paz en él. Él tiene el mundo entero en Sus manos. Cuando Jesús se estaba muriendo, oró: "Padre, confío mi espíritu en tus manos" (Lucas 23:46). ¿Por qué no rezas también ahora, en medio de tus preocupaciones? La paz está a su alcance.
Señor Jesús, toma todas mis ansiedades y preocupaciones y déjame encontrar descanso en Tu cuidado. Amén.

Seize Every Opportunity {Read Colossians 4:1-6}

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity {Col. 4:5}.

 

Some people who run businesses have a sixth sense when it comes to opportunities in the business world. One businessman built up a large business by selling shoes for a manufacturer. One day he heard that the factory had hired transport to distribute their goods. He hired a truck and asked the manufacturer to let him deliver the shoes to the shops. It was not long before he ran his own transport business.

 

Paul encouraged the Christians of Colosse to be on the lookout for opportunities to recommend the gospel and to testify for Christ. He was in fact saying, “Develop a sixth sense and make use of every opportunity to speak and act for Christ.” He was devoted to his task as a preacher and missionary.

 

The local Christian community had to go on proclaiming the gospel, putting the truth into practice and testifying about Christ. It was not only Paul’s preaching that would untie the knot in Colosse. It was how the Christians lived, spoke and died that would confirm or deny the gospel. They would have to make the most of every opportunity to testify, do good deeds, show love and act responsibly.

 

We must do the same so that the gospel is reflected in our everyday lives. One way is to look out for the poor and weak, and take care of them. Another is to speak about Jesus. We must make the most of every opportunity to promote the gospel.

 

God of grace, enable me to have an open heart for every opportunity to serve You. Amen.

God Cares {Read 1 Peter 5:1-11}

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you {1 Pet. 5:7}

Many people are incurable worriers. They simply must have something to worry about otherwise they would be utterly miserable! They worry about their health, their finances, their family, and their friends. They worry about the future, about “what is going on in the world,” they complain about the weather, crime and violence, and they are frustrated because “things are going from bad to worse.”

Peter had many real worries. He could lose his life any day due to the persecution of Christian believers. And so could the people he was addressing. The faith that he stood for could be wiped out. It could be undermined by false teachings, or by internal strife. It almost happened - and yet Peter knew that God was there, above all these things. He knew that God cared about him and about all the people who were threatened by these things.

God also cares about you, whether you are worried or not. He watches over you and He will see you through. Therefore, hand your cares over to Him: the real and the imaginary, the big and the small. Don’t hold anything back. Allow Him to take them all and find peace in Him. He has the whole world in His hands. When Jesus was dying, He prayed, “Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!” {Luke 23:46}. Why don’t you also pray this now, in the thick of your worries? Peace is within your grasp.

Lord Jesus, take all my anxieties and worries and let me find rest in Your care. Amen.

What characteristics make a good friend? Are you those things to your friends?

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A Friend in Need

The best thing that I can say about friends is they are there when you need them. It seems, as the Proverbs say, that they were born for times of adversity and that they’ll love you at all times (Prov. 17:17). They are your friends during times of sorrow, during times of loss, during times of success, during times of joy, and through good times and bad. That’s why the Bible tells us to never forsake our friends (Prov. 27:10) because the day will come when we’ll need them and they’ll need us. Can you think of any other characteristics that make a good friend? Do you have any of these characteristics? Do you have a close friend? If not, find one and become their friend. The older I get, the more I value friends and don’t take them for granted.

A Friend in Deed

Your real friends will tell you the truth. They’ll tell you that you have food stuck in your teeth or on your chin. They’ll tell you that your blouse has a button missing or your hair is sticking up in the back. Friends will risk telling their friends the truth because they love them enough to do that. That’s why the wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy (Prov. 27:6). I would rather have a friend tell me when I’m wrong than to find out the hard way. Just like oil and perfume (or cologne if you’re a man) cheer up the heart, so too does the sweetness that comes from a friend and his or her sincere counsel (Prov. 27:9).

Need a Friend? Be a Friend

When my son was very young, he complained to me that he didn’t have any friends. I asked him a few questions and found out that he never acted friendly to anyone at all. To have a friend or to find a friend, be one. A lot of people say that they are friends with someone, but when someone talks behind their back and that person says nothing to defend them, are they really their friend? Many like to proclaim they’re loyal to someone, but who’s really trustworthy determines whether they’re a real friend or not (Prov. 20:6). When David had to run for his life from Saul, it seemed all of his “friends” had vanished from the human race (Psalm 12:1). David’s only real, true friend was Jonathan. They were so loyal to each other, risking their lives for one another, it was as though their souls were knitted together, and David loved Jonathan as he did his own soul (1 Sam. 18:1). What about you? What characteristics make a good friend? Do you have these same characteristics to the friends you have now?

A Closing Prayer

Father, You have befriended us by reconciling us to Yourself through the death of Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ. I thank You for being there for me, through thick and thin, good and bad, and in the mighty name of Jesus I thank You and pray.

Amen

Grow in Your Knowledge of God {Read 2 Peter 1:1-9}

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge {2 Pet. 1:5}

Many good Christians pay little attention to knowing God better, which stunts their spiritual growth. Although they get away with it up to a point, they complain that they sometimes don't know how and what to pray; they don't have enough time; they don't know what to say to God; their thoughts wander in all directions. Many simply lose heart and give up.

The truly great Christian disciples have one thing in common - they make time for God in their lives. They persevere in this through thick and thin, because it invigorates and refreshes them. They know God has always loved them and continues to love them in Christ. They know that, no matter how intense the pressure, they are in urgent need of regular contact with God. They also know that it is during the time they spend with God in solitude that they get new perspectives on life, new strength to really live life, and understand themselves better. When they face problems, they involve God in the matter and find that they are able to press ahead. They enter into the presence of God and experience the assurance that He accepts them, and come to know that they can accept themselves.

Many wrestle through crises, sickness, disaster, doubt and problems with newfound strength and power. They know where their secret lies: in the renewal that takes place as a result of their intimate walk with God. Try it and experience the amazement.

Holy Father, grant me time in Your presence, getting to know You more. Amen.

Jesus Calling

December 19, 2016

Jesus Calling

DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN by the clutter in your life: lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order. If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover that they are endless. They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.

Instead of trying to do all your chores at once, choose the ones that need to be done today. Let the rest slip into the background of your mind so I can be in the forefront of your awareness. Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My Face continually throughout this day. Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being.

PROVERBS 16:3; MATTHEW 6:33