Waiting in Fear

August 23

The wicked man flees though no one pursues …

Proverbs 28:1

Day after day he waited for the phone to ring or for the police to knock on his

door. Ever since he’d found that wallet, he’d been living in a constant state of

fear. He knew he should have returned it to the owner when he’d found it. But

when he discovered those six one-hundred-dollar bills, something had come

over him.

He’d removed the cash and thrown the wallet, credit cards, driver’s license,

and all into the Potomac River. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since! He

just knew someone was going to figure it out; then they’d come calling.

Finally, unable to deal with the constant pressure of waiting to be caught,

he’d gone to the forty-seventh precinct and turned himself in, saying he wanted

to repay the money he’d found, but he couldn’t remember the man’s name.

Unable to substantiate his statement due to the lack of evidence, the

detective had finished taking the report and told him, “If anyone files a report

about a lost wallet, and if he chooses to file charges, we’ll be in touch. Without

someone pressing charges, we have no reason to hold you.”

Leaving the station, he felt worse than before. He had no idea if someone

would ever claim the lost wallet or not. He’d sacrificed his clear conscience

in the heat of the moment, and now he couldn’t get free from the guilt of his

actions.

h

When we begin to do the wrong thing, our conscience automatically responds

by alerting us. This is not right! If we fail to respond correctly, the Holy Spirit

convicts our heart in an effort to bring repentance and return us to a right

relationship with God.

What we do in that moment will determine whether we walk in integrity,

without the constant over-the-shoulder looks, or wait in fear for the phone to

ring.

Unscrupulous behavior breeds evil and fear. If left unchecked, it desensi-

tizes our hearts, building an uncrossable chasm between us and God.

It is far better to repent and face the consequences than it is to live waiting

in fear.

Prayer

“Lord, Help me resist temptation when I’m weak or

unprepared. Keep my heart pure. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Egg Minister

August 22

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.

2 Corinthians 9:7

The two-story Cape Cod blended well into the surrounding countryside. And

the 6.2 acres of land it sat on was sufficient to allow the boys room to grow.

Ron and Rochelle had purchased this little piece of country for the expressed

purpose of raising their three boys outside the lights of the city.

Ron had built two outbuildings, a kennel for the dogs, and a workshop for

himself. One day, Rochelle asked Ron to add a chicken coup to the side of the

dog kennel. Standing on the porch, Rochelle smiled as she fondly remembered

that day two years ago when God had called her into the ministry. Not just any

ministry, mind you; He’d called her into the egg ministry. Ron had thought

it a strange request but had built it nonetheless, saying, “Chickens you want,

chickens you get.”

Rochelle hadn’t immediately explained her plans, mostly because she

wasn’t quite sure what those plans were exactly. All she knew for sure was that

God had given her a desire to own a few laying hens. It seemed a reasonable

desire; they would enjoy fresh eggs, and the boys would learn about raising

chickens.

As the hens began to lay, Rochelle discovered they had more eggs than

they could use. With this unexpected bounty, Rochelle realized she could bless

a few of the neighboring families. And so it began, a ministry that now saw

Rochelle giving dozens of eggs to family and friends.

h

Such simple projects generate a tremendous impact. Giving of our lives is the

most personal service we can offer. To give money is good; we are all supposed

to assist in financing the kingdom of God.

But when we give something for which we have labored, it tells others we

have taken time to share our lives.

Not all of us are called to move to the country and raise chickens. But we

do each have the ability to step outside ourselves, seeking new and unique ways

to serve. Ministry begins when God plants a desire in our heart. It’s up to us

to make it grow.

Prayer

“I want to be about Your business, Lord. Show me

where I might be of service. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Walking It Out

August 21

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

Romans 10:15

Sandra and Ginny had been friends for almost ten years. In that time, they

had shared their lives. The most important thing they shared was a deep love

for Jesus, and for over nine years, they had committed to deepening that

relationship.

Two years into their friendship, God led them to begin prayer-walking

their neighborhood, rising in the predawn hours to walk and lift their neigh-

bors and their needs to God.

They watched in wonder as God brought neighbors into their lives with

critical timing: someone facing a tremendous struggle or the loss of a family

member. They were able to witness God’s love and spend time with each one in

prayer. They simply followed God’s lead.

They had been prayer-walking for three years when they felt God asking

them to assemble the neighborhood so He could weave their lives together. So

they set to work planning the first block night Sharp Road would ever experi-

ence. They dropped off invitations to every family, asking them to bring one

covered dish, lawn chairs, and an appetite. That inaugural evening had been a

remarkable success!

Five years later, they still gather monthly at a home determined the prior

month. Volunteers are never in short supply, and the fellowship is sweet.

Sandra and Ginny count it a privilege to be part of the movement of God

that has seen seven people, to date, accept Jesus as their Savior.

h

Paul’s prayer at the beginning of chapter ten is that the Israelites might be

saved. He makes the case that anyone believing on the name of Jesus will be

saved. Then he sets about challenging their conviction and commitment to

Christ. “And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard?” He’s

asking them to go tell others about Jesus.

Knowing Jesus is only the beginning for those who are saved. Telling oth-

ers about the freedom and joy we have in Christ should be, like Paul, the desire

of our heart.

Walking it out means taking each opportunity God provides to share His

Son.

Prayer

“Lord, lead me to those who have never heard of You. Guide my

feet to who needs to hear about You next. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Three Whys

August 20

No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

“Okay, Mr. Know-It-All,” Marvin challenged. “What makes you so sure you

have the right answers? I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but what

makes your beliefs right and mine wrong?” The heat was evident in his tone.

“Marvin,” Chris began softly. “I don’t have all the answers, and you are

right sometimes. But when it comes to those three questions, there is truth, and

there are lies. I believe each of us is faced with a choice: believe and follow Jesus

or reject Him and spend eternity in hell.”

“Yeah, I got that!” There was no give in Marvin. “Your belief says that God

is where I came from, God is why I’m here, and God wants me to know where

I’m going!” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “So,” Marvin goaded, “God is the

answer to everything!”

“Marvin, just because you choose not to believe in God doesn’t make Him

nonexistent. The proof is all around you.” Chris had a thought. “Take gravity,

for instance,” he baited. “You can say you don’t believe in it. Yet, if you were

to put your belief to the test from the top of a ten-story building, your belief

wouldn’t keep you from dying.”

“No one’s stupid enough to do something that ignorant when the proof is

so apparent,” Marvin interjected.

“Right!” Chris said. “Seeing makes it easy to believe. But faith believes

without undisputable proof,” Chris finished.

“Well, until I have proof of God’s existence, I’m not buyin’ it!” The conver-

sation died an uncomfortable death.

h

God created us for a relationship with Him. His desire is that we choose to

spend eternity with Him.

And the world hates Him for it. They can’t abide His conditions that we

accept the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary’s cross as the propitiation for our

sinful living, asking His forgiveness, and turning from sin.

They revile and reject God’s one-way atonement, demanding, “How can a

benevolent Father make such a demand?”

And to that there’s only one answer: Jesus died to present us faultless

before God.

Whether we choose to believe Him or not has no relevance to the truth.

Prayer

“Lord, use me to help others see the truth in You. Amen.”

 Enemy-Occupied Territory

August 19

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 4:4

Jennifer and Karen were having the age-old discussion. “How can a loving God

let bad things happen to good people?”

“In war after war, innocent men, women, and children die senseless deaths.

And for what?” Karen demanded. “Are you going to tell me that it’s God’s judg-

ment for a nation’s disobedience?!”

“Karen, no matter what I say, it probably won’t change your belief of God

turning a blind eye to injustice. I understand your frustration and at one time

shared your misconceptions about how God can say He loves us yet stand by

and let people suffer. How do you rationalize cancer or AIDS?” The softness in

Jennifer’s voice did little to diffuse Karen’s anger. When her husband died of

leukemia, Karen blamed God for not answering her prayers. She’d turned away

from God and hadn’t returned since Randy’s death.

“Karen, you mentioned wars and how innocent people die needless deaths.

The truth is we were born into war. And we live in enemy-occupied territory.

This is not the earth God created. That all changed when Adam ate the forbid-

den fruit. And until Jesus comes to judge the Earth, and all those in it, we will

live under the enemy’s occupation.”

h

It is inconceivable—apart from faith in God’s redemptive nature—that evil

reigns on Earth. Yet, Adam had a choice: say no to temptation and retain

dominion or eat the fruit and usher in a season of mankind possessing knowl-

edge we were never meant to have. When that happened, sin, in the form of

illness, lustful desire, and myriad forms of idolatry entered the heart of man,

and death was required so we would not live forever in our sin.

Those who believe there should be no evil among us are living under a veil

of deception. The enemy manipulates the hearts of those who will listen to his

sordid lies.

Bad things do happen to good and bad alike. In this world, God does

not promise we will not endure hardship and loss, but that while in enemy-

occupied territory, He will provide shelter.

Prayer

“Lord, we pray for the removal of the veil from

the minds of those who blame You for the evil

in this world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Last Supper at Breakfast

August 18

When evening came Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve.

Matthew 26:20

While eating breakfast, Rachel noticed the painting of The Last Supper and

asked, “Do you know what that painting means, Uncle Ed?”

“No,” he responded.

His response caused her to ask, “Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Savior?”

“I don’t know how,” was his strained response.

Continuing to pursue this line of questioning, Rachel asked, “Do you know

Who Jesus is?”

“No, not really,” he admitted. “Did you ever attend church?” she asked.

“No,” he began. “I can’t read, you know, and I was afraid the preacher would

call on me for answers. So I stayed home … ” He trailed off; a note of shame in

his voice.

Where do I start, Lord? she thought. I can’t ask him if he wants a Savior he doesn’t

know.

“At the beginning,” God replied. So for an hour, Rachel related biblical

events: Creation, the flood and Noah, Moses, the exodus to the promised land,

concluding with Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. When she finished, Ed said,

“Come with me.” He led her to the bedroom where he brought out a book of

Bible stories. It contained the very stories she’d just shared!

Taking God’s cue, Rachel asked; “Would you like to ask Jesus into your

heart?” she said.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes!” he responded.

h

Ed is now with his Savior. Rachel’s sensitivity enabled her to present the

invitation.

We should never assume that people know Jesus, even if they have religious

material around the house. Had Rachel accepted the painting as proof of Ed’s

salvation, he could have spent eternity in hell.

The truth is there are many unsuspecting people on their way to hell; many

because we assume they’ve heard about Jesus, so we don’t go out of our way to

ask them, “Do you know Who Jesus is?”

We may be required to give explanation of the events from Creation

through the resurrection; people should understand the decision they’re mak-

ing. And this may require doing some things we’re not comfortable with. In

light of the alternative, we must put aside our discomfort and never assume they

know the truth.

Prayer

“Make me sensitive to those who don’t know You, Lord. Help

me help them to know Who You are. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Never Grow Weary

August 17

Do not become weary … for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Charles and Lucille had been married twenty-eight years. “Lord, you promised

Charles would come to You if I was diligent in prayer. I have been praying

faithfully all these years. Please show me that my prayers are making a differ-

ence. Just a morsel, Lord!” she implored.

That night, Lucille had a dream. In the dream she saw a lamb. God spoke

to her, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked again; the lamb had become a sheep.

God said again, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked once more to see that the

sheep had become dirty and was peeking around the corner, poking its head

in and out. God then said, “This is Charles at the door, wanting to come in.

Continue to pray!”

Two weeks later, Charles gave Lucille an unexpected gift. Lucille opened

the package to find a praise and worship CD; she was elated! “Thank You,

Lord!” she said, grateful for another morsel.

Lucille listened to the CD repeatedly, gaining inspiration in the knowl-

edge God was changing Charles’s heart. One evening, she walked into the

house to find Charles not only listening to the CD but also singing along! “Oh,

Lord! Thank You!” she whispered.

Three weeks later, Charles began attending church with Lucille; within six

weeks, Charles gave his life to Christ!

h

Lucille’s perseverance in prayer is a lesson for us all. Many, if not all of us, have

unsaved family members. Though they may not respond to our direct influence,

we can affect change by lifting them to the throne consistently, praying for the

veil to be lifted and God’s light to penetrate the darkness.

Today’s text encourages us to not give up in our weariness. God hears our

prayers and responds by drawing them unto Himself.

Twenty-eight years is a considerable amount of time to pray without evi-

dence of an answer. Yet it pales in comparison to eternity and eternal separa-

tion from Christ. We must not grow weary; it is not hopeless.

Do you want a harvest? Persevere in prayer!

Prayer

“Lord, hear my prayer. Draw all those in my family

who don’t know You to Your side. Help me to never

give up on them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”