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Test the waters (1)
“We each have different work to do.” Ro 12:5 TLB
Bob Buford was a successful businessman who felt God calling him to some kind of ministry. He just wasn’t sure what, so he decided to test the waters. He brought together a group of pastors of large churches to see if they could benefit from the kind of organizational expertise he had. The cost of doing this was low enough that had it been a dead end, he could easily have focused his search elsewhere. If he’d impulsively quit his job as CEO and taken a staff position in a church somewhere, he might have missed his calling and jeopardized his chance to keep searching. As a result, today he has a ministry that literally impacts the world. Now, you can’t just walk away from your previous commitments. Amos transitioned into the prophecy business while he still had his shepherding job to fall back on. Paul kept his tent-making operation running when he went into church planting. Discerning God’s will requires time and patience, and most of us have bills to pay and families to take care of. So what should you do? Keep your day job—but test the waters! And remember you’re not alone. God’s more committed to your success than you are. When you feel like He’s given you the green light, gently push the accelerator and move forward. Playwright Arthur Miller said: “It’s wrong to remain in a situation you know is a mismatch for you…God didn’t place you on this earth to waste away your years in labor that doesn’t employ His design or purpose for your life, no matter how much you may be getting paid.”
Integrity
“The integrity of the upright guides them.” Pr 11:3 NIV
The word integrity derives from the word integer, a mathematical term for a whole number as opposed to a fraction. So when you walk in integrity, that means you tell the whole truth and not just a fraction of it. That’s why we take an oath in court to tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Why do we slant the truth, embellish it, and tell half-truths? Sometimes it’s for financial gain, other times it’s for social advantage. Sometimes it’s to hide our actions, other times it’s to avail ourselves of certain benefits. Jacob, whose name meant “trickster,” conspired with his mother and deceived his father into giving him the birthright of the firstborn—twice as much of their father’s inheritance which rightfully belonged to his older brother Esau. And Jacob paid dearly for it. He spent the next fourteen years as a fugitive working for his father-in-law, who was an even bigger and better cheat than Jacob. Finally, in despair, Jacob had an encounter with God and heard these words: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Ge 28:15 NIV). That day Jacob’s value system changed, and the taker became a giver. He told God, “Of all that you give me I will give you a tenth” (v. 22 NIV). And after that God blessed him beyond his wildest dreams. He returned home after many years with a beautiful family, great riches, and a new name: Israel. The truth is, integrity pays dividends every time. Why? Because God guarantees it.
Heed the warnings
“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Pr 29:1 NKJV
In the official magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch reported on a very unusual encounter at sea. A battleship was coming in for maneuvers in heavy weather. Shortly after the sun went down, the lookout reported a light in the distance, so the captain had the signalman send a message: “We’re on a collision course. Advise you change your course twenty degrees.” Minutes later a signal came back: “Advisable for you to change your course.” The captain angrily ordered that another signal be sent: “I am a captain. Change course twenty degrees.” Again came the reply: “I’m a seaman, second class. You’d better change your course.” Furious by this point, the captain barked a final threat: “I’m a battleship! Change your course!” The signal came back, “I’m a lighthouse.” The captain changed his course! It’s foolhardy to ignore the beacons that warn you of danger. They take various forms: symptoms of health problems, prolonged marital conflict, rebellious children, excessive debt, soul-destroying habits, stress that ties you in knots. The list goes on. It matters not whether you’re successful, influential, and busy. When God sends you a warning and tells you to change course, if you’re wise you won’t argue. Instead you will do it with haste. Let’s get personal. Has God been dealing with you over something in your life that’s wrong, but you keep resisting Him? Or putting off dealing with it? Things will go right for you when you turn to Him instead of away from Him.
His Sacred Word
-DEUTERONOMY 8:1-9
In his novel, "Lord Of The Flies", William Golding wrote about man's tendency to wantonly trample on values meant to protect him. In this novel, young, innocent British boys were marooned on an island. They decided to set some rules for themselves to help them survive there till they are able to get help from the outside world. But before long, the rules were ignored, which led to chaos and the destruction of the island. As the children of Israel got set to possess the land God promised them, they were admonished to keep all the words that He had commanded them. Obedience to this law was the key to their survival and sustenance. Apart from helping to ensure a social order that would guarantee economic prosperity, their personal and individual survival was also dependent on their keeping the law. They would be able to prolong their days and retain the favour of God in their lives. The same applies to everyone today. The pains and agonies we experience would be unknown if everybody was subject and obedient to the laws and commandments of God. The Bible should not be seen as a mere religious book meant to stipulate or regulate religious worship, but also the surest foundation on which the society should be built. Societies that ignore the word of God and remove it from their social life set the stage for their total destruction. To survive, we must not pay lip service to the word of God, but must allow it to regulate our lives in all its ramifications. Do you seek to live? Do you want to prolong your days? Do you intend to have a family, community or nation where there is real life, happiness, social and economic security and prosperity? Then the key is to keep to the commandments of the Lord. There is no other alternative to a mindful adherence to God's word.
The Bible formula for happiness
“Time and chance happen to them all.”
Ecc 9:11 NIV
Are you the kind of person who needs clear answers to everything and can’t tolerate shades of gray? Well, the truth is we don’t have answers for much of what happens in the world. God stamps many of the issues we struggle with: “Will explain later!” Modern science would have us believe that given enough time, everything is concrete, exact, measurable, and provable. But we’ve discovered this isn’t so. For example, why does one family experience tragedy and another doesn’t? Why do the “haves” throw more food into the garbage every night than what it would take to feed the “have-nots?” Why do the young and innocent die? You could drive yourself crazy with these questions and still not find the answers. So what should you do? The Bible says: “Eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do…Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love…Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them” (Ecc 9:7-12 NIV). Bottom line: Learn to live with unanswered questions, trust God with all your heart, and wring the most out of each day. That’s the Bible formula for happiness.
Try to make amends
“I will pay back four times the amount.”
Lk 19:8 NIV
Zacchaeus had a bad reputation; as a tax collector he got rich by bilking people. And the fact that Jesus spent the night at his house shocked the religious community. We’re not privy to what Jesus told Zacchaeus that night, but it caused him to respond, “Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus answered, “Today salvation has come to this house” (v. 9 NIV). There’s an important lesson here about becoming whole. The basis of true emotional healing rests on your willingness to forgive, and when possible, make amends to those you’ve hurt. If you owe someone a debt, you must try to pay it. If you’ve wounded them, you must apologize and try to restore the relationship. Jesus said: “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him” (Mt 5:23-25 TM). So, who do you need to make things right with today? Pray for grace—then go take care of it. When you do God will bless you, and you’ll feel better about yourself too!
Let it go
“Set your heart on God and reach out to him.”
Job 11:13 TM
Jesus, “the Great Physician,” never covers up an infected sore. He insists it be lanced, drained, cleansed, and given time to heal. Maybe you’ve given birth to a child out of wedlock, or had an abortion, or been in prison, or walked through a bitter divorce. Don’t be discouraged. Jesus is not impressed by our virtues, He’s touched with “the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb 4:15). He understands your struggle. “He himself has…been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like…and…is wonderfully able to help us” (Heb 2:18 TLB). Maybe you’re wondering if someone with your past problems can be blessed and used by God. Absolutely! The hymn by William Cowper puts it like this: “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.” The rewards of repentance are awesome! Zophar replies to Job: “Prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away…Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and…rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help” (Job 11:13-19 NLT). Whether it’s guilt over something you’ve done, or the pain of something that was done to you—let it go! Today, step into the river of God’s grace and let it flow over you, setting you free.
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Personal growth (2)
“A wise man has great power.”
Pr 24:5 NIV
Another indicator of your need for personal growth is—losing interest in your career. Many people think this comes from staying in one job too long, or experiencing a midlife crisis. The truth is, most of us lose interest in our job because we lose interest ingrowing. Consider those who experience the highest levels of intensity and creativity. Generally speaking, they’re passionate about their job and they’re not nearly as concerned about specifics as they are about “the big picture.” While those around them get bogged down in the minutiae of daily routine, growth-oriented people are busy swinging the bat and trying to hit the ball out of the park. These are people who are growing, learning, and expanding their experience—people who never lose interest in their work—or in life. Growing peanuts sounds pretty boring, right? Not to George Washington Carver! He studied them, developed them, discovered hundreds of different uses for them, and became so famous he was invited to Washington, D.C. to explain the secret of his success to a congressional committee. Here’s what he told them: “God created the peanut. So I just asked Him to tell me what could be done with it, and He showed me!” It’s that simple. Spend as much time expanding your knowledge and experience as you spend on the mundane, and see if your interest levels and excitement don’t change for the better. The Bible says, “A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength.”
Holy! Holy! Holy!
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.”
Isa 6:3 NIV
When Isaiah saw God he wrote: “I saw the Master sitting on a throne—high, exalted!—and the train of his robes filled the Temple. Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew. And they called back and forth one to the other, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is God-of-the-Angel-Armies. His bright glory fills the whole earth.’ The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke. I said, ‘Doom! It’s Doomsday! I’m as good as dead! Every word I’ve ever spoken is tainted—blasphemous even! And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate. And here I’ve looked God in the face! The King! God-of-the-Angel-Armies!’ Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal…taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with the coal and said, ‘Look. This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out.’ And then I heard the voice of the Master: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ I spoke up, ‘I’ll go. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people’” (Isa 6:1-8 TM). Now, this portion of Scripture wasn’t intended to make you indulge in morbid introspection, or doubt your righteous standing before God as His redeemed child. Isaiah was the nation’s leading prophet, and God had an assignment for him. But before he could undertake it, he needed to acknowledge his heart’s condition and let God change him. And today you need to do that too!
His Timetable
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”
Ps 105:19 NLT
God works according to His own timetable. And when you accept that, you’ll be able to enjoy where you are right now, and get to where He wants you to be. Furthermore, God may not answer all your questions; at least not in the way you’d like Him to. But be assured He is working. And since what He’s working on is often bigger than you can comprehend, He won’t bother you with details you can’t handle. Think—if God had told you all the things you’d have to go through to get to where you are right now, could you have handled it? He knows how long it’ll take and how hard it’ll be—that’s why He’s silent. If He showed you your whole life in advance you’d faint. Joseph discovered during his time in prison that when God gives you a vision and you commit yourself to it, there’s no “opt-out clause.” So stop projecting into the future. When you live in yesterday you end up with a case of the “if onlys,” and when you try to live in tomorrow you get a case of the “what ifs.” Remember the popular hit song: “One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of you. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.” What should you do? Trust God to work things out for you according to His timetable.
A prayer for integrity
“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the [law] of the Lord.” Ps 119:1 NLT
If you’d told David that a day was coming when he’d commit adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and then have him murdered to cover it up, he’d probably have said, “No way!” Nevertheless it happened. Forgiven, restored, and looking back on it, he wrote this prayer: “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the [law] of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous [laws], I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the [laws] you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your [law]” (Ps 119:1-18 NLT). Today, make that your prayer.
Working with difficult people
“There are…vessels of…honour, and…dishonour.”
2Ti 2:20
God used a raven, a bird considered “unclean” in Jewish culture, to feed the prophet Elijah during a famine. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with funds provided by a heathen king. The point is: Don’t limit God. Sometimes the people we’d normally shun are the very ones He uses to provide what we need, and by shutting them out we forfeit a blessing He has in mind for us. Be careful; your tendency to be “picky” can end up hurting you! The truth is, you can’t avoid working with difficult people. God planned it that way. Why? Because He wants you to grow in the midst of negativity without getting sucked into it. David developed the ability to work with people who were hard to get along with. It doesn’t get much harder than working for a boss with an evil spirit! At first David enjoyed King Saul’s favor, but after he killed Goliath, Saul sought to kill him. Yet David never changed his strategy. He stayed in Saul’s house because he knew his destiny was there. And because of the wisdom he exhibited, he ended up owning the place! God’s principles are timeless. David didn’t limit himself, and he didn’t limit God. He understood that people fall into two categories: “Vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor.” And God uses both. Getting his eyes off people, and being neither impressed nor depressed by them, afforded David great opportunities because he freed others up to be used by God. So learn to get along with difficult people; your greatest challenge today may be the person who assists and blesses you tomorrow.
First thing in the morning (2)
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.”
Ps 5:3 NLT
Why does God say so often in Scripture that He will speak to us first thing in the morning? After all, He can speak to us any time He chooses. There are two reasons:(1) He wants to have first place in your life. He wants to be number one on your list of priorities for the day. So before you turn on the TV, or check your computer or iPhone, or go galloping off, learn to be still and allow God to give you insight and understanding as to what’s important for your day—and your life. You’ll be amazed at the solutions He gives you: the creative ideas, and the clear sense of guidance. You’ll find the promise really is true: “The steps of a good man [and woman] are ordered by the Lord” (Ps 37:23). In fact, after a few weeks or months of living this way you won’t want to go back to your old routine. (2) He wants a blank page to write on. Ever try talking with someone who’s distracted or preoccupied? You just want to move on. But when that person is really important to you, you try to pick a time of day when you know they’ll really listen. Well, you are important to God and He wants to speak to you! Can you imagine your loss if you fail to hear what He has to say, or to understand what He has in mind for you? One of the secrets of King David’s strength was this: “Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Ps 5:3 NLT). In order to succeed, you must put hearing from God at the top of your morning routine!
“Restless, irritable, and discontent”
“Give me this water so that I don’t get thirsty.”
Jn 4:15 NIV
In Alcoholics Anonymous’ twelve-step program those seeking recovery are taught that when they become “restless, irritable, and discontent” they’re in danger of going back to their drug of choice. And that doesn’t work! Why? Because inside each of us there’s a God-shaped blank that only He can fill. Some of us try to fill the blank with human relationships. Jesus met a woman who’d been divorced five times and was now living with her boyfriend. The conversation went like this: “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty’” (vv. 13-15 NIV). Your body tells you when it’s hungry and thirsty. So does your soul—and if you’re wise you’ll listen. The only “safe” addiction is total surrender and dependency on God! We all have a tendency to respond to what our flesh craves instead of what our spirit needs. So we turn to things like work, sex, and entertainment. Now we’ve added a new one—the Internet. Psychologists are actually treating people with “Internet addiction.” Honestly! King David had it all: power, popularity, pleasure, and possessions. But it left him empty, so he wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Ps 42:1 NIV). Learn to recognize when you are “restless, irritable, and discontent,” and reach for God.
Don’t quit
“We have this treasure in jars of clay.” 2 Co 4:7 NIV
Paul writes: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” “Jars of clay” refers to cups, bowls, pots, etc., and what really matters is what’s in them. A vessel may be chipped and flawed, but once it’s washed and cleaned it can be used again. So don’t quit because someone discovered you’re a jar of clay with chips and flaws. There’s a cry from the Jericho Road nobody except you may ever hear. Some dying thief will be saved if you’ll just keep preaching through your pain, because the message that saves others is the one that saves us too. Accepting the fallen is the strength—not a weakness—of the Gospel. There’s a world of difference between the coldness of a rebellious heart and the cry of a troubled heart that says, “God save me from myself.” One glimpse of God’s grace brings all of us to our knees confessing and forsaking sin, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2Co 10:5). One pastor writes: “People listen to our one-sided testimonies of success and become discouraged. They think that while they struggle, we have it all together. That’s because we falsified the records and failed to tell the whole truth. God help us! Our message is we were saved by grace, we are being saved by grace, and we will be saved by grace.” If need be, go down into the Potter’s house and let Him put you back on the wheel and remake you—but don’t quit! (See Jer 18:1-4).
Look for ways to serve others
“Share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Heb 13:16 NIV
When Ronald Reagan was governor of California, he sometimes slipped out of his office early, telling his administrator Michael Deaver, “I’ve a few errands to run.” Deaver became curious, so he leafed through the “to read” file on the governor’s desk. On top was a wrinkled letter from a man stationed in Vietnam. The soldier had written to Reagan telling him about his life in Southeast Asia, and how much he missed his wife. That particular day was their wedding anniversary and he wanted her to know how much he loved her and longed to be with her. Although he had already sent her a card, he asked the governor if he’d make a phone call to make sure she was okay and pass on his love in case she didn’t receive the card. The next day Deaver discovered Reagan had done much more than the soldier requested. He’d picked up a dozen red roses and delivered them to the man’s wife. Dale Rowlee, the governor’s driver, told Deaver that Reagan approached the woman with an extremely humble attitude, and offered the flowers on behalf of a loving husband stationed in a jungle hell on the other side of the world. Then he spent over an hour with her, drinking coffee and talking about her family. Reagan’s humility may, in fact, have been one of the secrets to his enduring popularity. Somebody said, “To be humble to superiors is duty; to equals, courtesy; to inferiors, nobility.” It’s not big deeds, but small acts of kindness that make us great as God counts greatness. “With such sacrifices God is pleased.”
You can do it!
“I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.” Php 4:13 AMP
One of Satan’s favorite strategies is making you feel incapable of accomplishing anything worthwhile. He’ll remind you of your past mistakes so that even when you do make an effort, your fear of failure will sabotage you. This is commonly referred to as “Failure Syndrome.” Satan wants you to feel so bad about yourself that you’ll have no confidence at all. But the fact is you don’t need confidence in yourself—you need confidence in the God who lives within you! Without that, you’re like a plane without fuel sitting on the runway; you look good but you’ve no power. Hear this: Through Christ you have the power to do what you never could on your own. Once you learn this truth, anytime the Devil tells you, “You can’t do anything right,” your response will be, “Maybe not, but Jesus in me can; and He will because I’m relying on Him and not myself. His Word says I’ll succeed in everything I put my hand to” (See Jos 1:7). When the Enemy says to you: “You’re not able to do this, so don’t even try! You’ll fail again like you did in the past,” your response should be: “It’s true; without Jesus I’m not able to do a single thing. But with Him, and in Him, I can do all I need to do.” Read these words, get them down into your heart and stand on them today: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” The word for you today is: You can do it!
Be careful what you watch
“Make a parapet around your roof to make it safe.”
Dt 22:8 TM
Hundreds of pornography sites are being introduced to the Internet. The idea is to have you accidentally exposed to them through clever marketing. This helps explain how children as young as eight become addicted to pornography, and to the websites that feed it in the middle of the night when parents are sleeping. But these websites are also visited by teenagers and adults. So protection isn’t just called for on the part of parents, but by all those on the front line in the battle for moral purity. In his bookGetting Through the Tough Stuff, Chuck Swindoll writes: “One in every two churchgoers is actively involved with Internet porn. (Are you shocked?) Nine out of ten children have been exposed to it—most of them accidentally while doing homework online. Thirty-seven percent of pastors say Internet porn is a current struggle in their lives. Most are exposed to it through…computer screen pop-ups, unsolicited email, and links to websites with innocent-sounding names. When an enticing image flashes, temptation is hard to overcome, especially for males. The Internet has become an integral part of our lives. There’s much that’s good, but there’s just as much that’s deadly. It is therefore our responsibility as Christians to protect ourselves from the dangers that are part of Internet usage!” God commanded the Israelites: “Make a parapet around your roof to make it safe so…someone doesn’t fall off.” Even the apostle Paul recognized that he was capable of being “disqualified” as a leader in God’s work (See 1Co 9:27). So the word for you today is: Be careful what you watch.
A joyful outlook
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Ne 8:10
You get to choose your outlook each day, so choose wisely and well. Observe: (1) A joyful outlook gives you the winning edge. When world heavyweight champion Joe Louis got knocked down by Tony “Two Ton” Galento in Yankee Stadium, he immediately jumped up and went after his opponent. When his trainer protested, “Why didn’t you stay down for nine like I’ve always taught you?” “What?” growled Louis. “And give him all that time to rest?” He then went out and won the fight. (2) A joyful outlook determines how others respond to you. When you smile, people tend to smile back. But if you come across as hardnosed, they’re likely to respond in kind. If you want to enjoy people as you go through your day, think well of them. This isn’t rocket science, but it’s easily forgotten. (3) A joyful outlook brings happiness. English literary figure Samuel Johnson said: “He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts, and multiply the grief…he proposes to remove.” (4) A joyful outlook always brings the best result. Successful people embrace this truth, whether it’s a surgeon going into the operating room, a pastor preparing a sermon, or an executive launching a new business venture. Confidence increases your chance of success every time. So when you approach a task, especially one you don’t relish, fix your mind on God’s promises and not your feelings. It’ll get you back on track every time—guaranteed!
Praying according to God’s will
“The Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”
Ro 8:27 NLT
Since we sometimes pray outside of God’s will, part of the Holy Spirit’s job is to change our minds—not convince God to give us what we want. That’s why the Spirit “searches our hearts” in prayer. Sometimes words are inadequate; you don’t always know what someone’s really thinking or wants based on what they say. But if you could see inside their heart you’d know exactly how to interpret their words. That’s what the Spirit does when He searches our hearts and interprets our requests to the Father. But if the Holy Spirit is going to intercede for us (appeal to God on our behalf) we’d better learn what God’s will is. And where do we learn that? In His Word. Before we can pray in the will of God two things have to happen. First, we must have a regular intake of Scripture. God’s mind is revealed in His Word, so when you read the Bible you learn how to pray the way you should. Second, if our prayers are going to hit the mark we need to practice meditating on the Scriptures. Just as a good cook allows a stew to simmer in order to bring out all the flavors, we need to “marinate” our minds in Scripture and allow it to become part of us. When that happens, we’ll start to see things change in our prayer lives because the Spirit’s intercession is tied to God’s will, which is tied to His Word. In the final analysis you may think you know what you want, but God knows what youneed!
Take the risk!
“Give it to the one who risked the most.”
Mt 25:28 TM
Remember the three stewards who were each given a sum of money to invest? The first two doubled theirs; the third buried his in the ground. The first two were promoted; the third was fired. “Get rid of this ‘play-it-safe’…won’t go out on a limb” (v. 30 TM). Could there be a more powerful incentive to taking a risk of faith based on what God promised you? You say, “But what if I fail?” Failure trains you for success! It can show you what you need to change in order to move forward. Think of it this way: As a redeemed child of God you have a security net that allows you to fail safely. But if your reputation and self-worth are all tied up in knots over some failed enterprise, you’ll not be motivated to try again. It’s human nature to want to feel good, to succeed, to win the prize, to move forward. But just like a world-class athlete backs up to gain the momentum to run faster, sometimes a few steps backward now will fuel your progresslater. And here’s something else to keep in mind: God assesses our accomplishments differently than people. A failure in the eyes of men is often a success in the eyes of God. Remember Noah? Before the flood he looked like a loser; afterward he became the most successful man on earth. Your most fulfilling reward isn’t human approval—it’s God’s “Well done…good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25:21 NIV). So take the risk!
Personal growth (3)
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Pr 27:17 NLT
When you stop growing, you stop enjoying your coworkers and associates. In most cases it’s another symptom of lack of growth, and it’s directly linked to your lack of influence. When you’re the “go-to” person, everyone seeks you out. They want your advice and expertise on a myriad of issues and concerns. But once you stop growing, the focus shifts to someone else. Personal growth keeps you focused on people, and keeps them focused on you. So what can you do to stay fresh? Start cross-pollinating. Bees spend their lives moving from flower to flower, carrying pollen from one source to another. And what’s the result? Growth! Because bees continually spread pollen around the garden, more flowers start growing and it becomes a more beautiful environment. In life, cross-pollinating means identifying valuable information from multiple sources and spreading it in various ways to different people. So start looking for answers in unexpected places. Paul writes, “Stir up the gift…which is in you” (2Ti 1:6 NKJV), otherwise it’ll lie dormant and you’ll become bored. Dedicate some time every day to personal growth. Discover where you do your best thinking, and go there regularly. Get up earlier, use your lunch break, turn off the TV in the evening. The time and place don’t matter—the important thing is that you stick to it. Eugene S. Wilson said, “Only the curious will learn, and only the resolute overcome the obstacles to learning. The Quest Quotient has always interested me more than the Intelligence Quotient.” Often innate curiosity will tell you more than intelligence. The point is, you must be committed to personal growth in order to succeed.
Personal growth (1)
“Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
Pr 2:10 NIV
Personal growth leads to promotion. Stop and look at the people in your church, your company, or your circle of friends. Management consultant W. Edwards Deming said, “Learning isn’t compulsory…neither is survival.” In corporate culture, the higher your position, the less “doing” is involved, and the more “critical thinking” comes into play. Consider a corporate conference room during an important meeting. Typically, a cadre of foot soldiers sits around the table with laptops, briefcases, and boxes of files, while the president enters the room carrying very little. That’s because he or she wasn’t hired to run computers, maintain schedules, and manage files. They were hired for their expertise and the power of their ideas. Organizations want people with the best ideas to be in leadership; consequently, promotions generally go to the self-starters—men and women who exhibit initiative and growth. So start generating some new ideas and see how quickly you get noticed! Daniel began as a slave in Babylon, on the bottom rung of the ladder. But he was soon promoted to a position in Nebuchadnezzar’s cabinet. That’s because the king was looking for people with the following qualifications: “Showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve” (Da 1:4 NIV). Talk about job security! And what’s more, “Daniel remained there” (v. 21 NIV). So dedicate yourself to personal growth.
He’s Saying the Same to You
"Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” Jn 20:19 NIV
One of the first things Jesus did after His resurrection was to go looking for the disciples who’d failed Him so badly. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’” (vv. 19-21 NIV). Among the group was Peter, who’d walked on water, whose hands had distributed miracle food to five thousand hungry people, who’d witnessed Moses and Elijah standing next to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Big, bold, brave Peter who said, “Even if I have to die with you…I will never deny you!” (Mt 26:35 NLT). And he wasn’t the only one. “All the other disciples vowed the same” (v. 35 NLT). Yet the record reads, “All his disciples deserted him and ran away” (Mk 14:50 NLT). Saint John, Saint Andrew, and Saint James—all guys depicted on the stained glass windows of churches worldwide—abandoned Jesus when He needed them most. Yet when He rose from the dead, He never once brought it up. Instead: “He showed them His [wounded] hands” (Jn 20:20 NKJV). Why? To let them know He loved them in spite of their failure. Instead of disowning them, He said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (v. 21 NKJV). And today He’s saying the same to you!
Don’t waste your life in regret!
“His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
La 3:23 NLT
Are you living with regret over the time you’ve wasted, the opportunities you’ve squandered, the sins you’ve committed, and the relationships you’ve destroyed? Regret is a waste of time, unless it teaches you wisdom and fuels your resolve to do better next time. And as long as you’re breathing, there willbe a “next time.” The Bible describes God this way: “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” So how should you handle regret? By doing three things: (1) Recall. Stop and consider the actions, thoughts, and emotions that drove you to do what you did. Take an honest inventory of your mistakes. Own them! There’s no solution in excuses. When Adam was confronted with his sin, he hid in the bushes. When David was confronted with his, he said, “I’m guilty before God.” Follow David’s example. (2) Repent. The Bible says, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance” (2Co 7:10). When you’re caught in a cycle of repeated sin, a glib “Now I lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer won’t help you. Sin hurts God, hurts you, and hurts others. The idea behind repentance is to get you to where you loathe sin, and decide to renounce and forsake it.(3) Refocus. One of the Bible’s central themes is “resurrection.” That means you can rise again. God said in His Word, “Forget…what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new” (Isa 43:17-18 TM). It’s a new day with a new opportunity to get your life together and move on to greater things. Don’t waste it looking back in regret!
Start with what you’ve got
“What good is that…?”
Jn 6:9 NLT
Observe what the disciples said to Jesus just before He fed five thousand hungry people: “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” End of story? No, “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people…And they all ate as much as they wanted…So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves” (Jn 6:11-13 NLT). God always gives you something to start with. But you have to look for it, recognize it, and put it into His hands. The miracle of multiplication happened when a boy took what he had, and made it available to Jesus. The Bible says, “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin” (Zec 4:10 TLB). Don’t be afraid to take small steps, just make sure they’re steps of faith and God will work through you. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). And what did He build it with? Twelve flawed people just like us! But when He poured Himself into them, the mix was so concentrated that when two of them got together they could turn whole towns upside down (See Ac 17:6). You say, “But I’ve so many shortcomings.” We all come to the Lord damaged and in need of repair. But the good news is, you can be strong in some areas and struggling in others and God can still use you—as long as you’re willing to start with what you’ve got.
“Words of wisdom”
“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort.”
Isa 50:4 NLT
Before the crisis comes, God can prepare you in advance by giving you “words of wisdom.” He did it for Isaiah. You say, “But Isaiah was a prophet.” Yes, but when God first called him, he protested, “I am a sinful man” (Isa 6:5 NLT). That means you can be flawed and still hear from God! Ever been in a room when somebody said something that grabbed your attention? Like a light coming on, your mind was illuminated and you stopped talking. Why? Because what you were hearing were “words of wisdom.” And God won’t just give you insight for your own life, He’ll give you wisdom to share with others. And if you’re humble enough not to dominate every conversation, He’ll also speak to you through them. Think about it: God didn’t create the universe brick by brick—He spoke it into existence with a single sentence. So imagine your possibilities when He gives you “words of wisdom”! But first you must learn to recognize His voice, and that takes time. The first few times God spoke to Samuel, he thought it was Eli the high priest talking to him. But he kept listening, and eventually he became God’s voice to the nation. Indeed, he became so good at it that he was able to tell two different kings, “This is what the Lord says.” The point is, you must want to hear, take time to hear from Him, and practice listening until you become familiar with His voice.
First thing in the morning (1)
“Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.”
Isa 50:4 NLT
Here’s a wonderful promise from God’s Word: “The…Lord has given me his words of wisdom…that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The…Lord has spoken to me, and I…listened. I have not rebelled or turned away” (vv. 4-5 NLT). Isaiah said God woke him up every morning and told him what he was supposed to do that day, and what he was to say to others! This wasn’t a “one of a kind” occurrence: It happened “morning by morning.” Can you imagine how differently your day would go if you took the time to hear from God before you got out of bed? Notice the word “understanding.” God can give you understanding about what you should say and do before you get into a given situation. He said, “I am the Lord…who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go” (Isa 48:17 NIV). Talk about having a plus in life and an edge on the competition! And here’s the best part: Even if you’re not listening, or you’re not in the right place spiritually, or you don’t have much experience in this realm, God will work with you “morning by morning” until you learn to recognize and respond to His voice. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be! After all, that’s what good parents do with their children when they want them to grow up, mature, and enjoy life’s best.
“Turning…Serving…Waiting”
“You turned…from idols to serve the living and true God,
and to wait for His Son from heaven.”
1Th 1:9-10 NKJV
Let’s read what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers: “You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe…from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth…in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare…how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven” (vv. 6-10 NKJV). The lives of these believers could be summed up in three words: “Turning …serving…waiting.” Let’s look at each, and see what we can learn. (1) Turning. Repentance means doing an about-face turn. It calls for renouncing and forsaking your carnal thought patterns and self-indulgent ways. (2) Serving. Try serving others rather than expecting them to serve you. At the end of each day, pray, “Lord, how well did I serve You today?” For it’s in serving others that you serve Him. (3) Waiting. If you knew for sure Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do differently today? Would it change your habits, your words, your attitudes? Some of us live our lives as if Christ had changed His mind about coming back again. Make no mistake—He is! Don’t be caught off guard. Endeavor to live each day in the light of His soon return. Doing that will rearrange your priorities!