Mature and Complete

September 18

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:4

“It seems like every time I get a handle on things the bottom falls out,” the exasperation in Tara’s tone was unmistakable. “I don’t get it…” she paused, “why can’t God just let me rest awhile?”

Her sister understood her frustration. It did appear that every time Tara completed a difficult task something else emerged, and a ‘new struggle’ would ensue. “I don’t know Sis. Maybe God knows that this will bring something better, and He trusts you enough to allow the trials to mature you.” It was pure speculation on Myra’s part, but as soon as she’d said it the words rang true. “That’s it!” she said. “God is stretching you for your own good!”

Tara just looked at her as if daring her to repeat herself.

Myra tried to be encouraging, “That’s a good thing, Sis! God knows more about you than you do and He wants you to know that He trusts you to rise above your feelings and meet the battle head on!”

Tara’s gaze told her well-meaning sister that although she may be right, she didn’t want to hear it.

†

Each time we get comfortable in our walk with Christ we will be stretched—Not might be, will be. The problem is we don’t like to be stretched. We pray to be godly people who represent the Lord, yet complain and whine when God allows circumstances that would mold us into who we’ve asked to become.

Any meaningful growth will be accompanied by discomfort. If we would become a true representation of Christ, we must expect to be uncomfortable from time to time.

Although some may be apathetic, no good parent would allow their kids to run rampant through life without some loving intervention. Why then, would we expect our Creator and Heavenly Father to be any different? Perseverance must finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, lacking nothing!

Prayer

“Father God, it hurts when You stretch me. Teach me to appreciate Your loving instruction that causes me to become the person You created me to be. Continue guiding me and give me the strength to meet each difficult situation I find myself in head on. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Transforming Lives

September 17

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1Corinthians 11:1

“I wish Gary would just let God transform his life,” Bryce said to Heather. “If he would just surrender to Jesus things would be so much better.”

Heather chose her words carefully, “But is pointing out his mistakes and misery what God wants, or what you want?”

Bryce really wanted his friend to experience what he had found in Christ. “Well, somebodys gotta show him the error of his ways!” Bryce countered. “How else is he gonna figure it out?”

“You’re not Gary’s holy spirit, Hon,” Heather reminded him. “It’s not your job to point out what Gary should or shouldn’t do. It’s your job to live a transformed life so he sees that the change in you is genuine, and you are content in this new life. Just try to be a godly example for him to follow.”

“I know you’re right,” he admitted. “But it’s so hard watching him continue to do the things that used to cause strife in our lives.”

“He’ll get it quicker if you don’t push. Just keep living it out in front of him each day. If you remember,” she reminded, “it took you awhile to give up doing things your way.”

†

When we get saved there is a temptation to become sidewalk prophets, to point out everything our saved and unsaved friends do wrong. We might even believe we are doing them a favor. But, it is not our job to transform lives. Our job is to live a transformed life that points people in Jesus’ direction.

There was and is no greater witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ than the hated ‘Saul’ championing the deity, dominion, and sovereignty of Jesus Christ.

And as Paul instructs, we are to follow Jesus and lead by example, not beat them over the head with our theology. One offends and separates, the other fosters curiosity. Living godly lives and answering questions is what Jesus instructs us to do. If we will simply follow His lead Jesus will do the transforming.

Prayer

“Guide me, Lord Jesus, to live a transformed life, allowing those around me to see a difference that is inviting and real. And help me to not give unsolicited advice. Amen.”

 Genuine Faith

September 16

…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1Peter 1:6, 7

“Have you ever noticed that the frequency and degree of our trials are usually in direct proportion to the passion with which we serve Jesus?” Don asked Jennifer, looking at the flat tire that was about to make he and his co-worker late for a business engagement.

“You do seem to be experiencing a rash of negative events lately,” came Jennifer’s wry response. “It would make most people want to rethink why they’re doing what they’re doing,” she added, laughing.

Rolling up his sleeves, Don began the work of removing and replacing the flat. Twenty minutes and a sweat-soaked dress shirt later, Don wiped his hands on the rag Jennifer handed him.

“You do seem to attract a lot of the enemy’s attention these days,” she said, with a touch of mock suspicion.

“Well…adversity or not,” Don said, “I’m gonna keep pluggin’ away.”

Jennifer smiled as they climbed back into the car. There had been no need for Don to tell her that. She knew he would always keep plugging away for Jesus! From the day she had begun working with Don he had exhibited as genuine a faith as anyone she’d ever met.

†

Most, if not all Christians, admire the men and women throughout scripture who have suffered for their faith. We secretly pray we will meet our adversity as well as they did.

Yet, when besieged by several unpleasant events in a short period of time, we sometimes begin to whine because it’s the nature of comfort to complain when trouble comes.

For some reason, we don’t really expect to have to suffer for the cause of Christ! And herein lies the problem.

But, if we take Jesus at His word, expecting that we will have problems, we can learn to roll with the punches. Expecting anything else is foolishness, and an invitation for additional grief. Genuine faith takes the hit, and acts accordingly.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me take things in stride today, accepting life as it comes. Give me a passion to do Your will! Amen.”

 Cold and Impersonal

September 15

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

1John 3:13

Rich had made an honest mistake…he’d thought he had until midnight tonight to pay the past due balance on his utility bill. But he’d gotten his dates mixed up by one day. That mix-up had resulted in interrupted service for failure to make payment.

Now, trying to rectify the situation, he listened as the third service rep he’d spoken to explained the company’s new policy for the umpteenth time.

Rich’s heart rate steadily increased as he did his best not to take his frustration out on the woman on the other end of the line. “Look, I understand what you’re saying. But I’ve been a loyal customer for more than eight years. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“I do apologize,” she offered. “But this new policy won’t allow us to restore service until the entire past due amount is paid.”

Rich lost the battle with holding his frustration in check, “So what you’re saying is you don’t care how long I’ve helped keep you in business, you’re going to hold me hostage until you squeeze more money out of me!”

“I really do apologize,” she said, actually sounding sincere. “But that’s the new policy. Mistake or not, we cannot restore service until you pay the bill in full now.”

Hanging up in defeat, Rich audibly asked, “So, LORD, what am I supposed to learn from this lesson?”

In his spirit he thought he heard, “This is the way of the world. It is cold and impersonal. Your service to me has no bearing on how the world treats you.”

†

Although today’s scenario is not life or death, it is nonetheless exasperating for those who have experienced the frustration of finding themselves doing business with someone who is trained not to allow personal feelings to interfere with business. It is a representation of how the world operates today…cold and impersonal. We can no longer expect cooperation where leniency may be justified.

Jesus said to those who follow Him, this is to be expected. So when it happens to you, and be assured it will, don’t be surprised.

Prayer

“Father, help me meet this kind of treatment with an attitude of grace. Help me see and deal with the world in light of eternity. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Help Them Up

September 14

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:10

I watched as the cow labored to deliver her calf. Each contraction brought the calf closer to birth. As the head appeared, the cow let out a long bawl. The veterinarian carefully reached into the birth canal and took hold of the calf’s front legs. He gently pulled at the onset of the next contraction, and with one final bellow, the calf was born. The miracle of birth had once again been repeated!

Although tired from its traumatic ordeal, the newborn struggled to stand. Quivering, he forced his legs together in an awkward motion, straining to get to his feet. But he fell to the ground. The cow instinctively and affectionately nuzzled the calf, cleaning his eyes and nose with her tongue.

After several failed attempts by the calf to stand, the cow stood, and moved to a position directly above the newborn. Using her tongue by curling it around the little bull’s mid section, she lifted him until he was standing.

On wobbly legs, the calf took a tentative step…and fell. With each fall the cow assisted him in regaining his feet. In less than half an hour the calf was walking, and nursing.

†

Like the calf, new and mature Christians alike, fall down. And while the reasons we fall are wide-ranging, getting back on our feet, and staying there, requires the assistance of fellow believers. Typically, God sends someone wise enough not to stand in judgment of us…someone who has been down this road themselves.

Solomon’s warning to those who have no one to help them in the event of a fall is meant for all of us. No one should ever be left to fend for themselves. If you see a fellow believer stumble, don’t stand around waiting for someone else to help them. Go to them in love, just as you would want someone to do for you, and help them up.

Prayer

“Lord, give me the courage, strength, and compassion to help a brother or sister in Christ to stand when they have fallen. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Jesus Is Able To Do What Needs To Be Done

September 13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

He’d preached a powerful message of freedom, freedom from the fears that hold hearts hostage. “I want to give you an opportunity,” he said in conclusion. “On the small piece of paper I’ve given you, I’d like you to list the ‘anchors’ in your life…those things you fear and hold you back.”

“I commit to those of you who decide to bring God your requests, to pray daily for each request until God tells me to stop. You need not give your name. God knows who you are. So, if you want an ally in your battle, bring them and lay them in the offering plate.” As the Worship Team played people came, dropping their ‘anchors’ in the offering plate, grateful to have a co-laborer in their struggles.

The man was faithful, he didn’t need coaxing. He considered it a privilege to join hands with them; for each person was someone he knew and cared about.

But one note in particular pricked at his heart. And each time he read it he prayed for two people, the one who had written this request…and himself; himself because he shared this fear. On the three inch piece of paper were the words, ‘Fear of failing at what needs to be done.’

†

Paul, in today’s text, claimed he could do anything with Jesus by his side, yet stumbled at times. In Romans 7, he shares: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me,” proving, life is a struggle…even for the strongest Christian.

Most, if not all of us, have a fear of failing at something. We doubt we are equal to the challenge. But we, like Paul, need to press on in spite of our fear, knowing that Jesus is equal to the challenge. By asking for Jesus’ help…then listening and doing what He says…we will receive the strength necessary to be set free from our fears.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I need your help. Show me how to do what needs to be done and give me the strength to do it. Amen.”

 Self Exposure

September 12

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

Proverbs 13:16

The Vice Unit had set up a false-front store in order to implement a sting of the neighborhood criminals who had been pawning stolen goods at many of the local pawn shops; anything from electronics to SUVs.

They began their sting by purchasing stolen goods, giving the thieves money in exchange for their merchandise, delaying their arrest until the sting was complete.

Undercover officers marveled at the pride of the crooks. Having established a working relationship with the undercover officers, several criminals began to brag about their proficiency in stealing cars and told of how they had strong-armed many of their victims at the end of a gun. They spoke of their exploits as if they were a badge of honor, never showing remorse for their actions.

The sting lasted eight weeks, netting seventy-two arrests—the team took the dangerous criminals off the streets immediately, but away from their operation, so as not to tip off the others about the storefront sting—which resulted in recovery of all the stolen merchandise and the conviction of each individual arrested.

Behind bars several offenders admitted that their own bragging had been the weapon used to convict them. Had they not been so free with their words they might have received lighter sentences.

†

Proud of their criminal prowess, these offenders brought the full measure of the legal system upon themselves because of self exposure. Their crimes alone would have netted them jail time, yet additional months and years were added to each sentence because of their lack of remorse while bragging about their illegal acts.

A wise man speaks occasionally and a fool doesn’t know when to hold his tongue. Those who speak with knowledge improve the lives of those around them and enrich individual relationships. When we speak out of turn we share from a shallow well, often alienating those around us.

Prayer

“Teach me to posses something of value before I try to share it, Lord. Help me keep from becoming foolish in speech and action. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”