The Web

March 13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And

God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you

can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so

that you can stand up under it.

2 Corinthians 10:13

I watched as the wasp struggled to free itself from the web. The more he strug-

gled, the more entangled he became. It began when the wasp spotted a fly

stuck in the web, wings buzzing, franticly trying to escape. It seemed like such

an easy meal. All the wasp had to do was kill a helpless fly. The moment he

attacked, stinging the fly, the spider emerged from the funnel in the center of

its web.

With the wasp’s attention focused on the fly, the spider quickly attached a

slender thread of silk to the wasp’s leg. Trying to break free, the wasp’s move-

ments actually managed to get him more entangled. As the wasp weakened, the

spider returned from the funnel and spun a cocoon of silk around its helpless

prey.

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Like the spider in the story, Satan sets out to deceive his prey. The way he

tempts us is always seductive. Although he cannot read our thoughts, he has

seen enough of our poor choices to know how to tempt us. The truth is most

sin feels good. But there are always consequences.

As in the wasp’s case, what Satan tempts us with will initially appear ben-

eficial. He focuses our attention away from the things that ensnare us, hoping

we will take the bait. The wasp saw nourishment and was lured into the web.

We must be on guard and remember that one poor choice can trap us in a

revolving door scenario that appears to have no exit. Unlike the wasp’s confine-

ment, our bonds can be broken.

As today’s text shows, there is always a way of escape. But we must choose

to take it. When we enter in to a relationship with Jesus Christ, He will lead

us to the way out.

Prayer

“Lord, please give me strength to resist temptation

today. Help me relate to You in such a way today that

I can see any temptation for what it is. Amen.”

 We Cry Out

March 12

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From

his temple he heard my voice.

Psalm 18:6

Standing in church with his hands raised to heaven, Mitch was thinking of the

day God had gotten all there was of him to get. He’d been disking along the

fencerow of a plowed field. 

As he always did, Mitch was ducking under the overhanging branches, lifting them out of the way as he circled the outer edges of the field. This time, however, he miscalculated the size and strength of one limb in particular. Trying to duck under while lifting it, the branch wouldn’t give. 

In the blink of an eye, he was dragged out of his seat and over the back of

the tractor, landing on top of the ten-foot disk. As the churning disks grabbed

at his clothes, Mitch cried out, “Help me, Lord!” 

The tractor stopped! Amazed, he rose up to discover the limb had broken as it knocked him from his seat. It had caught in the fan belt of the engine, stalling it and stopping the forward motion of both tractor and disk. Looking up, Mitch whispered, “Thank You, Lord.”

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Helpless before God, we catch a glimpse of how deep and fathomless His love

for us is. This God, the One Who loves us so much that He sent His Son to

cancel a debt we owed, watches over us. 

That payment purchased our ability to relate with God in such a way that we can cry out and be heard! No longer must we offer blood sacrifices to be absolved from our sin. 

Today we can come boldly before the throne of God with an assurance of being heard. We should, however, come with reverence and the sacrifice of praise, declaring His wonderful love and mighty power. Most of the time, God’s work goes unnoticed. But when we cry out in distress, be assured He will respond.

Prayer

“I am awed by Your provision, Abba. You protect me from

the enemy and myself. You rescue me from my mistakes

and warn me of impending trouble through Your Holy

Spirit. Thank You, Jesus, for the sacrifice of love that

allows me to come directly to the throne room. Amen.”

 Someone Is Starving

March 11

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they

will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

The chef watched as the people filled their plates, choosing entrees and side

dishes. Taste and preference made for diversity in cuisine, something this res-

taurant prided itself on. It seemed there was no end to what you could find on

the menu. 

It never ceased to amaze the chef how people sought to satisfy their

hunger with so many different delicacies—choice cuts of meat with garlic pota-

toes and sautéed carrots—while others ate lightly of poached fish with lemon

sauce and a side of cottage cheese with fruit. 

There were as many salads as there were customers, and the people eagerly loaded plates with exotic lettuces and all the trimmings, anticipating the wonderful flavor. 

And for refreshment they served flavored lemonades and iced teas with seven distinctive blends of coffee—so many choices even the most disparaging customer was satisfied. The chef was proud of his ability to meet the culinary desires of each individual. He had never received a single complaint.

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The wedding feast for the bride of Christ will be the greatest banquet ever

attended. Not because of the food, but because we will be feasting with the

Groom! We have nothing with which to compare the delight and pleasure we

will be afforded on that day. And our presence there will be owed to the righ-

teousness of Christ.

In this world, we will never be satisfied or full. However, the Spirit wants

to stir a hunger and thirst within those who want even more!

Like the chef in today’s story, Jesus loves providing for our every need.

Yet, at times, we take our nourishment from the wrong food source. Free

will allows us to eat as much of whatever we want. The cliché “You are what you

eat” has never had truer meaning.

Prayer

“Jesus, we look longingly to the day when we will feast with you

in eternity. Use us to lead others to your banquet table. Amen.”

 Oh My Gosh!

March 10

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:34

I watched as Mark reeled in the huge fish. We were fishing for northern pike

on Lake Michigan—Green Bay, to be specific—and Mark had hooked a mon-

ster! As he continued to drag the fish toward the boat, all he could say was, “Oh

my gosh! Oh my gosh! Holy smokes! This thing is huge!” After ten minutes of

line hauling, rod pumping action, he managed to net the thirty-eight pound

northern.

One of the world’s greatest game fish, the northern pike is a trophy; a

thirty-eight pounder is the fish of a lifetime!

I remember thinking, In the heat of battle, the heart speaks the truth of who

we are. Mark had not uttered one unsavory word while landing what for him

was the largest northern he had ever caught. I was profoundly affected by the

purity of his language in an emotionally charged moment. I have witnessed

many fishermen who, when given the same set of circumstances, had sworn a

blue steak.

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“Oh my gosh” and “holy smokes” may sound childish to some, especially to

those who use foul language offhandedly without much thought of how it

sounds or affects those around them. But to God, “oh my gosh” is pleasing.

Instead of holding up a standard, we have lowered the bar with each

generation.

I remember when primetime TV used to be language free, a time when

the whole family could come together and watch TV, knowing their children

would not be subjected to profanity or sexual innuendoes. Nowadays, no mat-

ter what time you tune in, you can’t watch thirty minutes of programming

without profanity and sex invading your living room. It has permeated every

aspect of society.

Caught swearing, a student told his guidance counselor, “It just slipped

out.” To which the guidance counselor replied, “If you don’t practice it so much,

it won’t slip as often.”

We may not go to hell for using profanity, but when using it, we aren’t

leading anyone to heaven.

Prayer

“Teach me to know the power of my words, Lord.

Remind me that besides You, someone is always

listening to what I say. Help me to not store up wrong

things in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Heirs of Faith

March 9

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was

made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him

that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Acts 3:16

Roger was a strong if not large man. He had a deep chest, strong back, and

bulging biceps from knowing the business end of a shovel and sledgehammer

most of his life. There wasn’t much he feared when it came to brute strength.

He had entered and won arm-wrestling contests across three states. 

His powerful shoulders had always given him an advantage over his opponent.

But right now Roger was on his knees before God. He was facing cancer,

and his physical strength could do nothing; he needed Someone else’s strength.

Roger was a God-fearing man. It wasn’t his strength he was relying on

today. He was petitioning the One Who had what he needed. He had seen

God heal before and believed that the same power that had raised Jesus from

the dead lived in him and had the power to bring healing when doctors said it

was impossible.

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Roger’s faith revealed Who he looked to when his own strength was insuf-

ficient. He was giving God his undivided attention. Peter had shared the Holy

Spirit’s power with the lame man in today’s text. God healed the man to dis-

play His mighty power left behind following Jesus’ ascension.

Peter, a man reaffirmed by this same Jesus, knew Whose power he called

upon. Roger also knew the Power Source and took his problem to Him

immediately.

The lame man was healed because it brought glory to God and revealed

the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Son of Man. As rightful heirs, we have

the ability to call on that power anytime, anywhere. God is sovereign, and we

don’t always get the answer we are looking for. But we can, by faith, come ask-

ing and trusting that God will always do what is best for us. Because of that,

we can come to the throne in confidence.

Prayer

“Power of God, we come seeking healing today for our lives

and the lives of those we love. May we sense Your presence

and power in our life today! In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Let's Say Thanks Already!

March 8

When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people...

Mark 8:6

Lindsay placed the grilled cheese sandwich in front of her eighteen-month-old daughter, Jozlyn, and turned back to get their drinks. Her mom, Nancy, was getting the rest of the food and condiments from the fridge.

Both heard 'jabbering' along with a slapping sound, and turned to find they were being beckoned. Ready to eat, Jozlyn was rapping on her highchair tray with her little hand, while trying to be understood in 'toddler-speak'.

Having gotten their attention, she held out her hands, looking with anticipation from her sandwich to her mom and grandma, and back to the sandwich.

Lindsay responded with a knowing smile. “Okay, Little J,” she said, as she and Nancy walked over, and took Jozlyn's hands so they could say grace.

As Lindsay said, “Amen,” Jozlyn pulled her hands away, picked up a wedge of her sandwich, and began eating; God had been thanked, her food had been blessed, and it was okay to eat!

Lindsay and Nancy smiled, delighted Jozlyn had waited to begin eating until thanks had been given.

†

The term 'Out of the mouths of babes' is apropos in this situation. Although complete understanding is years away, Jozlyn already knows the importance of bowing her head and thanking God for her food.

Having witnessed and been a part of prayer before every meal of her young life, Jozlyn, hungry as she was, knew she needed to say thanks for the food before she ate. Having her display basic understanding, and a willingness to adhere to her parent's teaching at such a tender age, was exciting.

We have many examples throughout scripture where Jesus and His Disciples showed gratitude for the things they received from the hand of God.

As Jozlyn's actions attests, we learn best by example, and God knows it. I think it quite probable that many in the crowd mentioned in today's text witnessed the value of giving thanks, and applied that simple yet powerful act of gratitude from that day forward.

Prayer

“Father, for all we receive from Your hand, we give You thanks! Amen.”

 Fearless Integrity

March 7

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths

will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

The roadside billboard asked, “Are you a person of integrity? God.”

Harold was troubled by the question. He had just left a business meeting and

had to admit he had hedged his bets. 

He hadn’t exactly lied, but he had not shared some important information that could have benefited the committee. He believed he might be able to benefit by withholding this information. The next two hundred miles were spent seeking God’s resolution to the issue.

Returning to his office, he called the committee via teleconference and advised them of the information. He went on to explain he would understand if they backed out on the deal due to his deceit. 

To his surprise, the group knew of the information themselves and had to admit to their own duplicity in the matter. Asking forgiveness, they committed to complete disclosure in the future. Their openness marked the beginning of tremendous growth for each of them, spiritually and in their business.

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God wants us to reflect His Son’s attributes. Deceit is inconsistent with integ-

rity. The handing over of integrity began in the garden, and the process con-

tinues today. Satan still whispers in our ear, “What they don’t know won’t hurt

them. You deserve an edge. Keep quiet.” His attempt to persuade us to listen

to his lies reveals that his character never changes. He only wants to steal and

kill and destroy us.

God’s character never changes either. Holiness won’t allow Him to lie or

hedge his bets. Only His kids have that ability. It remains our choice whether

we seek an edge in the world or choose to bring all temptation, and therefore

the outcome of our lives, to God’s care.

He commanded us to be honest and forthright. Whether we’ve been dis-

honest in the past or not, He asks us to become men and women of fearless

integrity.

Prayer

“You see everything we do, Lord. But because others don’t,

it’s easy to be less than honest in our dealings. Help us desire

to be men and women of integrity. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”