Commitment

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 commitment 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 ministering 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.

†

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 sacrifice 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

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 bringing us His life-giving Word.”

†

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

… 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.

†

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

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.

†

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

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 salvation; it means we made a mistake we need to repent of and then do our best not to repeat it.

†

Kenny is not alone in his Christian walk. Many Christians walk around without 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.”

Hypocrite? Not Me!

God, thank you that I am not like other men.
Luke 18:11

Set free from the ravages of drug addiction, Jamaal had been out of prison for two years. He had re-surrendered his life to Christ, and his rebellion was over. He’d made a complete turnaround, his life becoming a positive influence on those around him. But recently his wife had observed another tempter enter her husband’s life: the spirit of judgment!
He seemed able, and willing, to spot every small offense in others. It was as if Jamaal noticed things at the seed stage, and felt compelled to ‘set things straight’, as he put it, ‘before they got out of control’. No one could offend God without Jamal becoming aware of it.
For six months, Jamaal intervened for the Lord, keeping score of every transgression, remarking to his wife about other’s shortcomings. One day his wife felt led to call him on his righteous behavior, saying, “When did you become the Holy Spirit, Jamaal?”
It took a few days for it to sink in, but Jamaal realized his actions were judgmental at best … hypocritical at worst. Repentant for his hypocritical spirit, Jamaal asked God to remove his eyes of judgment, and replace them with eyes of love.

†

Quoting Oswald Chambers, “The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual.” As Christians we can quickly qualify as Spiritual Supreme Court Justices if our hearts aren’t constantly surrendered to the One True Judge. It’s so easy to watch others make mistake after mistake, thinking that we, like the Pharisee in today’s text, are above such things.
The world loves to call us hypocrites. And sadly, many times they’re right. We don’t do as we say or should. Hypocrisy is not only saying one thing while doing another; it can also be veiled behind self-righteous arrogance, undetectable to the one being hypocritical. Chambers also said, “ … in the spiritual domain nothing is accomplished by criticism.”
What we look for we will find. Hopefully, we are looking for Jesus in those around us.

Prayer

“Forgive me when I get off track, Lord. I sometimes don’t even recognize when it’s happening. Help me always look for the good in others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Love Deeply

Love … always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7

Adrian and Jennifer devised a unique wedding gift for their young friends. Instead of something traditional, they decided to pass along one of their favorite books. Hidden within its pages were three restaurant gift certificates and a handwritten note encouraging them to love deeply. The book, written by a Christian author, gave practical ways in which to enrich our relationships and fend off complacency in marriage.
There was a catch though; this couple might not read the book immediately and may not find the certificates for years. In truth, that was exactly how they envisioned their plan working out. Hopefully, when in times of struggle, they would remember the book, pull it off the shelf to gain some inspiration, and there find wisdom, the note, and the gift certificates.
In the note was a simple message: “When it feels like love is ebbing, press on! Remember the hope you shared in courtship. Use one of the gift certificates today. Learn to listen to each other; never give in; always persevere, dare to love deeply!”
Thirty years of marriage had provided Adrian and Jennifer with a measure of wisdom.

†

God has provided this same wedding gift for us, His bride. Not that we would only open His Word in times of trouble, but that especially during those times we would press on and seek to find the wisdom He has buried deep within the pages of Scripture.
Wisdom comes through experience. Seldom do we learn lessons by hearing about them. Most of the time, events must first happen to us before they have any meaning in our lives. In those times, we can benefit from the experience of others, but only if we ask for help. God loves us so deeply that He has hidden timeless and pertinent treasures in His Word. Just for us, just for now.

Prayer

“In those times when we need a boost, Lord, lead us to the correct passage in Your Word. And please send us a messenger of love who has been where we are now. Give us courage to love deeply. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”