Deliberate Investments

May 2

Be Shepherds of God’s flock …

1Peter 5:2

Hardy moved quietly, trying not to awaken anyone but his eight year-old son,

Griff, “Hey Buddy,” he whispered while softly shaking Griff ’s shoulder, want-

ing to awaken, but not startle his son.

Griff was groggy at first. Then, in that first moment of awareness where

we lay hold of understanding, Griff sat upright, they were going fishing! “Is it

time?!” he asked excitedly.

“Yep!” Hardy could barely restrain his laughter at his son’s immediate tran-

sition from a dead sleep to wide awake, Funny how the mind works its way

through the fog of unconsciousness into stark clarity so quickly when it’s something fun! he thought.

Twenty minutes later, with breakfast consumed, fishing gear loaded, and

the boat hitched to the truck, they set out for the lake and a day of adventure.

Griff was a live-wire, shooting rapid-fire questions, hardly allowing

Hardy time to answer before the next one burst from his lips, “Where we

goin’ first?! Can I drive the boat?! Do we have ‘nough worms?! Didja get the

bigfatjuicyones?!”

“Whoa, Buddy! Don’t wear yourself out before we get there!” Hardy

smiled, remembering mornings like this when his Dad had looked at him in

amusement, while shaking his head and patiently answering each question.

This was going to be a great day, full of possibilities; a day of memories

waiting to be made and experienced!

h

Hardy loved to fish because his father had taken the time to introduce him to

the sport. The man had deliberately invested in his son; depositing knowledge,

wisdom, and time, so that Hardy had the best chance at becoming a man of

character, and one who looked out for others. Hardy, likewise, wanted Griff to

be a man of character; someone willing to invest in others. In short, he under-

stood a father’s charge: shepherd your flock.

Our sons and daughters will exhibit only the characteristics we take the

time to model for them. If we deliberately invest in them they will not disap-

point us, or society.

The truth about time is that it is fleeting. We should endeavor to not miss

a chance to plant good seeds into each moment provided.

Prayer

“Help me plant good seeds, Lord. Show me when and what to

deposit into my flock’s lives, Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. “

 Created to Be Dangerous

May 1

The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

Exodus 15:3

During his personal morning worship, Jacob began praising Jesus for the work

of the cross, thanking Him for the suffering he endured on his behalf and for

subjecting Himself to the scorn of those who would kill Him.

At one point, Jacob’s thoughts turned to what felt like blasphemy; he actu-

ally had a vision of himself trading places with Jesus on the cross, not dying

for the sin of the world, but wanting to relieve Christ of His burden. He felt a

momentary sense of shame for even entertaining the possibility that he could

take Jesus’ place.

Yet, in that moment, the Spirit of God whispered, “Do not be ashamed of

such thoughts. I created you to do great and mighty things. I placed in you the

desire to rise to the occasion, to save the day, to be someone’s hero; I created

you to be dangerous. You have been made in My image. Am I not a warrior?

Do we not have a foe that comes to steal, kill, and destroy? You also are a war-

rior created for battle! I expect you to have such thoughts. The work of the

cross is not for the weak and frightened. You must be dangerous; a formidable

opponent.”

h

Ladies, your husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers were created to be danger-

ous. And for good reason; this world we live in is not safe.

C.S. Lewis said of Aslan (a character representing Christ) in the Chronicles

of Narnia, “He is not a Safe Lion, but he is good.”

Men, we were created to be dangerous, to stand against the injustice in this

world and the one just outside our vision. If we are to care for those who cannot

care for themselves, those who were not created to stand against the enemy in

the heat of battle, then we must be dangerous! We must take our place on the

watchman’s wall (Ezekiel 33:7–9), not as bullies, but as protectors, warriors who

would stand between those we hold dear and the enemies of heaven.

Prayer

“Lord Almighty, teach me to stand against an enemy

who wants me dead and powerless. Help me stand

as Your image bearer. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Commitment

April 30

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen

the hearts of those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

Sherry began setting up her keyboard as André assembled the rest of the

sound system. André was pastoring a small church on the campus of a local

college in a sleepy little community. He and Sherry felt a deep sense of com-

mitment to this body of believers. This was a unique congregation in that it was

mostly made up of transient college students with just a few people from the

surrounding countryside thrown in for good measure.

Three times in the past two years there had been evictions threatened by

the school, trying to stop them from meeting on campus. Two times the church

had appealed and been given a stay of execution. Today, however, would be

their last Sunday in Horn Hall. Last Friday’s board meeting had ended in what

appeared to be a victory for the school.

As they completed setting up for the morning service, André and Sherry

thanked God for the time they had been given in this building, winning young

lives for Christ.

Having found a new place on campus to meet, they would continue min-

istering to the students. But this had been where they had begun their ministry

for the Lord, and it would always cling to a corner of their hearts.

h

Jesus’ commitment to us, our salvation and sanctification, is almost impossible

to comprehend. He allowed Himself to be led to a day where it appeared He

had lost all hope of reigning as King. Only by His great act of love do we have

hope of true life. In Him we have the perfect example of how to strengthen

the body of Christ.

As we live for Someone else, serving those around us that they might know

Christ, we discover where our strength comes from. Only through Christ’s sac-

rifice and the power of the Holy Spirit do our hearts receive what’s needed to

walk out a life committed to Christ.

Prayer

“Thank You, Jesus, for teaching me about walking

in grace. When I want to run, hem me in. When I

falter, hold me up. When I fall, pick me up. When

I have no strength, give me Yours. Amen.”

 The Extra Step

April 29

Bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed

you.

Deuteronomy 16:17

“La Biblia!” the people whispered in reverence. Their heartfelt gratitude was

apparent to those passing out Bibles.

Despite the fact that these were supposed illegal immigrants, this group

felt that God was leading them to introduce them to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Midway through their mission, the group began to realize they had not

thought this through completely. These Bibles were printed in English, and

unless these refugees not only spoke but also read English, this act of love and

generosity was simply that. It showed they cared, but the gift was virtually

useless.

Realizing their mistake, one woman wryly asked, “Does anyone here speak

English?” From behind her came a shy, yet clear voice. “I do,” said a young girl.

Turning, the woman ruefully spoke. “I apologize for our oversight. We

didn’t think about the language barrier before we set out today. We only

thought to bring Bibles, not Spanish Bibles.”

In awe, the young girl spoke, “La Biblia in any language is precious. And

there are enough of us who can read English that we can read to those who do

not. Your gift is received in the spirit it was intended. God bless you for bring-

ing us His life-giving Word.”

h

Although it is a wonderful beginning, caring, in itself, is not enough when we

are reaching out in the name of Jesus. We must speak the other’s language, if

not in voice, then in consideration. Good intention is only part of reaching out

in the name of Jesus.

As this story reveals, we must think deeper than our own tribe or nation,

including our customs, when we bring any gift so it may be better utilized. We

must take that extra step.

We see and interpret through the lens of our own experience. If we do not

expand our attention to include those things we do not encounter on a daily

basis, we are only reaching out superficially, not wrong, but not complete in our

ability to reach others for Christ.

Prayer

“Lord of every nationality, help my gift to be considerate

of other’s true needs. Help it say, ‘I care’ in a way

that is thoughtful. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 His Wonderful Light

April 28

… A people belonging to God … who called you out of darkness into

his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

As they gathered around Jerry’s hospital bed, what happened next could only

be described as something otherworldly. Jerry had been battling cancer for two

years, and the doctors had called the family together, sure he would not live

through the night.

As they prayed, a smile appeared on Jerry’s face, and he began to chuckle.

His countenance changed from one of unrest to serene peace. Jerry’s chuckling

grew into joy-filled laughter, his smile a tooth-exposing grin. In the span of

thirty seconds, the laughter became so contagious that everyone in the room

was affected. 

Tears appeared at the corner of Jerry’s eyes, and as suddenly as the laughter began, it subsided. His body became still, his smile transfixed. His eyes snapped open. It was evident to everyone in the room Jerry was looking directly at something or Someone. His vision narrowed momentarily, then recognition crossed his face. Tears flowed like rivers down both cheeks; they fell past his ears and onto his pillow. Two words escaped his lips in the briefest of whispers: “My Jesus!” Jerry closed his eyes, took two more breaths, and was still. His spirit had departed, yet the smile remained.

h

Dying is when time ceases to exist and eternity is met face to face.

Many people testify to loved ones speaking the name of Jesus or seeing a

bright light at the moment of their death.

The hope we have in Jesus transcends this world. It is the promise that

we will spend eternity with our heavenly Father. In Him there is no darkness.

The antithesis of that promise is an eternity void of our Creator, and with

that void comes a knowledge of our need for salvation due to our sin, yet

never receiving it. Faced with the understanding that we will not escape this

world alive, the choice we make today will determine where we spend all our

tomorrows.

For those who believe and call on the name of Jesus, death is when you

close your eyes and walk into His wonderful light.

Prayer

“Lord of light, send your Spirit to testify to the truth of

eternity. Work in the hearts of men and women, boys

and girls, unto salvation. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Stocking the Shelves

April 27

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in

my house.

Malachi 3:10

Grace didn’t understand this “tithing thing,” as she put it. Yesterday’s sermon

had been titled, “Stocking God’s Shelves.” The pastor had spoken about giving

God the first fruits of our labor as an act of love and obedience. He spoke of

God’s instruction to the Israelites on this matter, referencing Old and New

Testament Scripture. He said, “In reality, everything we have is God’s. But

because He loves us so much, He doesn’t force us to tithe.” He spoke about

reciprocity and how we can’t outgive God, reading from Malachi where God

says, “Test me in this.”

Grace and her husband, Reggie, were new Christians. All this stuff was

foreign to them, but they wanted to do the right thing. So, out of obedience,

Reggie and Grace began giving fifteen percent of their income—ten percent

for tithe, five percent of offering—to help stock God’s shelves. It was difficult

at first, sitting down each payday and writing that first check to God. But

they did it. And within the first two months, things began to happen. Reggie

received a pre-evaluation raise, and Grace received an insurance settlement

she knew nothing about. God was responding to their obedience to keep His

storehouses full.

h

The subject of tithing makes many people uncomfortable, and many get

offended every time the collection plate is passed.

Taking into consideration that there are those in ministry who pollute

what God has ordained, Scripture is clear on our financial responsibility to

God’s church. Building the kingdom requires finances. Whether we make a

contribution or not is up to us.

When Jesus said, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,” He was

saying that we either trust in Him for what we need or we trust in ourselves.

When we hoard our money, we are stealing our own blessings because God

cannot and will not bless those who do not sow into His kingdom. “Bring” is a

command with both a choice and a promise attached.

Prayer

“Lord, teach me to trust You and believe. Help money

to become a tool for the kingdom and not a vice

that seduces my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Stop Getting Saved

April 26

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:18b

Evan sensed movement and looked up to see Kenny, his twelve-year-old son,

heading for the altar. Concluding a powerful message, the pastor had given an

altar call. “If you need Jesus, then I want you to get up out of your chair and

come stand at the altar and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Come right

now while we wait.” That’s what Kenny was doing—for the third time this

month.

Following the service, Evan asked him, “Why’d you go to the altar today,

buddy?”

Kenny timidly answered, “I called a girl a bad name at school the other day

and needed Jesus to save me again.” Evan sought the right words to reach his

son’s tender heart. He opened his Bible and read Romans 7:14–25 to Kenny. He

read it in its entirety, then reread each verse, explaining, “Kenny, Paul, a mighty

man of God, struggled with sin all his life. It did not make him unsaved each

time he sinned.”

He finished by explaining that when we sin, it does not negate our salva-

tion; it means we made a mistake we need to repent of and then do our best

not to repeat it.

h

Kenny is not alone in his Christian walk. Many Christians walk around with-

out a true understanding of sin versus salvation, thinking that God is this mean

bully keeping track of each offense in order that He might hold them against

us.

God knows what is in the heart of man, yet chose to forgive us. He does

not expect Jesus to be crucified over and over again, nor does He need to be.

When we truly give our lives and hearts to Jesus, our salvation is complete

at that moment; no one can take it away.

Understanding that we will sin and when we do, it’s not resaving we need,

but a heart of repentance. This is a picture of reshaping and renewing our mind,

not our salvation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me understand that once I’m Yours,

I only need to turn away from the sin and not

be saved again. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”