Been With Jesus

"'Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.'

When they saw the courage of Peter and John

and realized that they were

 unschooled,

ordinary men,

they were astonished

and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Acts 4:12-13

Peter and John were ordinary fishermen; men who earned their living by the labor of their hands and the brawn of their backs.  Fishing was a profitable industry, but not glamorous or enviable by any means.  These men were called by Jesus to be His disciples.  They spent time with Him, learning from Him and growing to love Him.  When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, they received His Spirit as a comforter, counselor and guide. (Acts 2:38-39) 

God's Spirit does more than just make me feel assured of my salvation, (John 15:26-27) He also gives me what I need to do what He's called me to do.  God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. (Hebrews 13:20-21)  Before Peter and John could realize the power God placed within them, they had to take a step of faith, trusting that God's Spirit would not let them down.  When they did, what they found coming from within them astounded everyone.

Courage

I remember the time one of my daughters stood up to the ice cream man who had just called her sister "fat."  At the age of 6, she respectfully told him that what he had said was not nice and that he should be ashamed that he had hurt her sister's feelings.  Standing up to an adult took courage.

In the same way, Peter and John courageously stood up to the power structure, speaking the unwelcome truth to the rulers, elders and teachers of the law.  They didn't have the authority of any man to speak in such a way to that prestigious group.  I might even call them "cheeky" or "sassy."  It took a lot of nerve to rock the boat in such a way.

There are times when the Holy Spirit gives me courage to speak out against injustice.  Sometimes it could be I'm called to write a letter to the editor of my local paper, taking a stand for Christ.  Other times, I could speak the truth to a professor attempting to undermine God's sovereignty.  Or, God could give me the boldness to speak the truth in love to an outspoken coworker who pushes her atheistic agenda.

God's Spirit equips me with courage to speak up in the face of opposition.

Wisdom

It is said that wisdom comes with age, but God says it starts with a healthy respect and reverence for Him. (Psalm 111:10)  Peter and John were both common men who lacked any kind of formal education.  They were probably able to speak several languages in order to trade fish with the variety of people they dealt with in the marketplace, and they needed a working knowledge of money and trading to succeed in their business, but for the most part they were ordinary, working-class men.

Listening to them reason and lecture, however, the people had a different perspective.  Peter and John spoke as if they were proficient in philosophy, history and the art of deliberation.  They sounded as if they had trained under the best teachers money could buy.  Who were these men?

All those who questioned needed to know was who they had been with. Jesus gave them all the wisdom they needed to discuss deeply theological matters.  It's the same with me.  I don't need to take a special class or receive expert training to certify me as qualified to talk to others about my faith.  All I need is Jesus: He will equip me as I read His word, interpreting it and revealing truth as I trust Him to teach me.  Then, when I'm faced with those who have questions, He'll provide the answers if I rely on Him; His words will flow from me.  (Luke 12:11-12)

God's Spirit equips me with wisdom to speak the truth to a dark world.

Anointing

It's easy to think that someone who does extraordinary things is himself extraordinary.  The truth is, however, that God is the source of all amazing things.  Each of us is capable of doing the same as Moses, Elijah, David or Paul did because it was God who was working through them.  He set them aside for His purposes, using them as a vessel of His Spirit to accomplish His good purposes. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Peter and John were not special or different than you or me.  The only thing enabling them to accomplish such astonishing feats as to leave the Jewish ruling council speechless was God's Spirit.  All He needs is a willing container which He can fill with His power.  If I submit to Him and allow Him to use me, I'll witness astounding deeds that only can be attributed to God.

I'll be able to speak clearly even though I stutter.  I'll suddenly lose my aversion to children and draw them to Jesus as if I were some kind of modern-day Pied Piper even though I never thought of being a teacher.  I'll gain a new appreciation for God's Word and a heart for those who desire to know and understand God's ways even though I never did well in school.  In short, when I trust in God, He'll set me aside for the work He's prepared for me to do.

God's Spirit equips me with an anointing to accomplish His purpose for my life.

Peter and John stood out as extraordinary even though they were ordinary fishermen.  In the same way, when I trust in Jesus as Lord of my life, He'll give me courage to do the impossible, wisdom beyond my education level, and an anointing that enables me to walk the path He has for me.  If I've been with Jesus, He'll call me, and then He'll equip me.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to give me what I need to accomplish His purposes for my life.

How do I doubt what God can do in my life by hesitating to step out in faith?

When do I fear my lack of training will hold me back from doing what God has put in my heart to do?

Inward Focus

"Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas

to the palace of the Roman governor.

By now it was early morning,

and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness

the Jews did not enter the palace;

they wanted to be able to eat the Passover."

John 18:28

They were so concerned with their own holiness.  They went to great pains to study God's law, interpret it, create rules to help others follow it and supervise the adherence to it.   Their devotion to God's law was astounding.

Many looked up to these Jewish leaders as the epitome of godliness.  Most thought they were the ones to emulate.  It was assumed these men knew God Himself, so holy were they.  Unfortunately, the people of Israel who believed these things about their leaders were wrong.  Jesus said to these same men, "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." (John 8:19)

If they had paid more attention to the One who wrote the laws instead of obsessing over the law itself, God would have opened their eyes to the Messiah.  Instead, they found themselves fighting against God and being used by Him to fulfill scripture regarding Jesus. (Isaiah 6:9-10, John 12:37-41)

In the same way, I can get caught up in religious ritual, timeless tradition, and stubborn beliefs.  When I make these my god, I forsake the One who died a criminal's death on the cross so that I might get to know my Creator.  Instead of walking with Him throughout my day, I spend my time trying to figure out how to please Him, working on my character so that I can look more like Jesus, or doing things that seem like godly activities in which to take part.  When I do follow Him, however, He leads me down paths of righteousness for His namesake. (Psalm 23:3)

From the outside, I may look holy and godly, just like the Jewish leaders, but God holds an inward focus.  How do I stack up inside?

Heart

She tried so hard to worship God.  Looking around her on Sunday morning, she mimicked the behavior of those deemed acceptable and who looked like they had it all figured out.  They told her to just let go and allow God's Spirit to well up inside of her; to free her body to praise God in however He leads.  She tried, but somehow she never felt what they described.  She must be doing something wrong.  She loved God but she felt like a failure.  Why can't I just worship Him?

God is meant to be worshiped with my whole being in the way I live my life. (Romans 12:1) Since God is the lover of my heart, He doesn't care so much about what I do, what I wear, where I go or who I befriend.  His focus is not on the outward appearance, but on what is going on inside my heart.  He wants me to be so attentive to Him that I don't care how it looks on the outside.

To some it may appear I'm falling away from God because I stopped coming to Bible study to make time to hang out with drug addicts, I started bringing questionable characters with me to church on Sundays, and I got a tattoo.  

These believers may judge me, thinking that I'm turning away from God and trying to make it seem like I'm still following Christ.  In reality, God is leading me to reach out to "sinners" by frequenting places unbelievers hang out.

In Matthew 15:9, Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah in criticizing the wrong focus of the "church people."  He said, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13)  God desires my heart to be fully devoted to Him.  This doesn't mean I must be perfect, only that wanting to know Him and follow Him would be my greatest longing.

I must be warned, however, that when I start letting God transform my mind and mold my way of thinking, I will look strange to everyone else.  Only those whose hearts are aligned with God will understand; everyone else will try to talk me out of the path I'm taking, telling me that I'm off.  As Peter said to the Sanhedrin, "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29)

In order to avoid the trap of shallow worship, I must devote my heart to knowing and being known by Jesus.

Cleanliness

I have noticed lately my country's obsession with cleanliness.  There are constantly new products on the market to kill bacteria, fight fungus and stop the spread of germs.  We are encouraged to clean the old-fashioned way, clean with new-fangled gadgets, or clean the easy way.  Whichever method I choose, I'm getting the message that clean is good.

While they're is nothing wrong with cleaning, I find it interesting that people are so passionate about outward cleanliness but have no problem with all the filth that penetrates the hearts in their homes.  Network television is filled with shows that degrade families, promote pornography, encourage promiscuity and endorse the gay lifestyle.  The Internet is widely accessible in most homes and filled with garbage that is embraced as entertainment.  

The minds of most Americans are constantly bombarded with dirt.  As Angus Jones, actor who plays "Jake" in Two and a Half Men and recently went public with his belief that a true God-fearing person cannot be on a television show like that, said, "Please stop watching it.  Please stop filling your head with filth."

If I want to be truly concerned with my cleanliness, I must be concerned with what goes in, not just what's on the exterior. (Proverbs 4:23)  I can't just look good on the outside.  When David confessed his sin against God in taking Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, as his own, he cried out to God, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)  

It's not enough to look good, but a heart devoted to Jesus will be changed and grow sensitive to sin.  When this begins to happen, I'll only desire things that honor God instead of being willing to allow filth into my heart.  My motives will be pure, dropping the ulterior motive of my own comfort, pleasure and entertainment and be completely concerned with pleasing and honoring God.

In order to avoid the trap of focusing only on appearances, I must let Jesus guard my heart as the wellspring of life.  

Holiness

Some people believe it is possible to live a life free from sin.  They think God's Spirit enables me to live a holy and pure life.  Oswald Chambers says of this, "The holiness movements of today have none of the rugged reality of the New Testament about them.  There is nothing about them that needs the death of Jesus Christ.  All that is required is a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion. . .Yet the New Testament is about the work of God and nothing else. . . The Spirit of God does in me internally all that Jesus Christ did for me externally."

I am not called to be holy for my own purposes.  I am called to live in obedience to His Spirit who is within me so that I can glorify God.  I resemble His character when I'm dedicated to Him, not to my own sanctification.  Chambers shed some light on the difference when he said, "The New Testament example of the Christian experience is that of a personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ."

When I see someone suffering who has been ostracized by the medical community and other believers as "crazy," Jesus compels me to reach out and comfort.  When I am drawn to a group of cursing, drinking teens, Jesus compels me to share His love.  When my neighbors' children are out of control, Jesus compels me to offer support.

A focus on my own character development would not drive me toward these uncomfortable situations.  Only a devotion to Jesus Himself would give me the desire to do these kinds of acts as I'm more concerned with God's glory than my own reputation or status.

In order to avoid the trap of being driven by a quest for personal holiness, I must be more concerned with the glory of God. 

Religion requires an outward focus and is an empty, bottomless pit filled with traps of all kinds.  Three I must avoid as I follow Jesus are worshiping superficially, cleaning outwardly, and seeking to improve my own reputation.  Instead, I can live with the desire to please God in all things, protect my heart from the filth of this world, and seek glory for God alone.  In so doing, I will discover the joy in walking at peace with Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my focus inward instead of only concerning myself with how things look on the outside.

How do I clean up the outside, but neglect to protect my heart from filth?

When am I more concerned with my own entertainment than in protecting me and my family from things that dishonor God?

The Offensiveness of the Truth

"'I have spoken openly to the world,'

Jesus replied.

'I always taught in synagogues or at the temple,

where all the Jews come together.

I said nothing in secret.

Why question me?

Ask those who heard me.

Surely they know what I said.'

. . .'If I said something wrong,'

Jesus replied,

'testify as to what is wrong.

But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?'"

John 18:21,22,23

They grilled the witness on the stand, sure that she was hiding something.  To her credit, she answered truthfully, telling everything, even if it made her look bad.  By the end of the hearing, the committee had a greater understanding of what happened, making their decision easier.  Despite the fact that the truth damaged the reputation of the witness, her credibility was intact due to her honest testimony.  

Part of living a life of integrity means telling the truth even when it's not popular or flattering.  There are times when I succumb to temptation and do the wrong thing.  Even though I am not proud of those times in my life, it is important that I not hide my indiscretions, acting as though they didn't happen.  God uses even times of sinful behavior for my good once I get back into a right relationship with Him.  My sin is covered by the blood of Jesus, but walking with Him in a close, intimate relationship means I can't have areas of deep, dark secrets in my life.  I must not be afraid to bring it out into the light.

Jesus, on the other hand, has nothing to hide.  He is perfect and without blemish.  Jesus never gave into temptation: His life as a human being was spotless.  When He taught God's ways to those who would listen, He never hid His purpose or disguised His meaning.  He was always forthright and completely transparent.

Despite His flawlessness, Jesus was treated like a criminal.  Those who God used to place Jesus on the cross believed Jesus was hiding something, that He was blaspheming the holy name of God and that He was teaching fallacy.   Jesus, however, did not behave as someone who had something to hide.  Instead, He boldly spoke the truth in public, for everyone to hear and make up their own mind.

The Truth is handled differently, depending upon whether I am living in the shadows or walking in the Light.

Delivery

When my daughter visited New York City some years ago as a part of a modelling convention, she was approached by a man who was attempting to sell watches from the inside lining of his trench coat!  Knowing that anything legitimate would not be done in such a clandestine way, she continued walking without giving the salesman an opportunity to make a sale.

Red flags should go up in my consciousness if ever I hear a message delivered as a secret or if I'm told not to tell where I heard the information.  Falsehood tends to be conveyed under cover of darkness.

In contrast, the truth tends to be spoken freely, out in the open without shame or guilt.  First century African Christian author Tertullian said, "Truth does not blush."  I can gauge whether my thoughts and spoken words are truth by whether I'd rather keep them secret, or if I'm comfortable with it being known.  Even an ugly truth is better than a flattering falsehood.  As Proverbs 26:28 says, "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

Jesus delivers the Truth in the open.  His Gospel is not secret nor does it contain a hidden agenda.  Instead, it is clear, straightforward and concise: I am a sinner who does not meet God's standard of perfection.  My sin earns eternal death.  God demands justice.  His love sent Jesus to take my punishment, dying in my place and fulfilling God's just nature.  I receive the free gift of salvation offered by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  I am saved from eternal damnation and given life eternal and a relationship with God.

If I ever hear anything added to the simple truth that there is no other name other than Jesus which can save me, then I can label it as false teaching. (Acts 4:12)

Despite being treated like a criminal, Jesus never hid His purpose or message.

Reaction

One of the ways a detective can tell if a defendant is lying is by the way they react to the truth.  The more violent the reaction, the more likely they are living in a lie.

In the same way, I am faced with the Truth in the form of Jesus Christ.  The more violent my reaction to Him and His teachings, the greater the chasm that exists between me and the truth.

 If I'm walking according to my flesh, living in a way that pleases me, I will be offended when Jesus reminds me to give secretly so that no one knows what I'm doing.  (Matthew 6:1-4)  I'll be upset that I can't get some kind of recognition, even if it's only a nod of approval from the usher.

But if I'm walking with Jesus, living according to His Spirit, it will seem the most natural thing in the world for me to pay my tithe or donate an offering anonymously.

Other times, I'll be convicted by the Spirit of Truth to stop judging others, instead offering compassion and grace.  If I'm close to Jesus during that time, I'll gladly accept this teaching.  But if I'm drifting away from Him, I'll choose to ignore this particular lesson and only adhere to those that feel comfortable to me.  

The way I react to Jesus depends on whether or not my heart if aligned with God.

Charges

I remember recording a false number on a sales receipt for a van we purchased from a private party in order to pay less taxes.  As my husband and I drove to the Licensing Office, we both were convicted with the same scripture, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." (Mark 12:17)  When we arrived at the government agency, we were told we had to get an appraisal from a car dealership.  The dealer valued the vehicle at the same price we paid, putting us back on track.  When we brought the paperwork to the Licensing Office, we ended up paying a lower tax rate than what we anticipated, making our bill as much as it would have been if we'd cheated.  We learned to demonstrate our faith in God by doing business honestly and to leave the outcome up to God.

In a similar way, the truth needs no defense.  If I think it necessary to bend the truth, cheat, or lie to bring charges against someone, maybe I'm the one in the wrong.  God is a God of justice and He will not let corruption go unchecked.  It's better for me to let Him handle corruption, instead of falling into it myself in the name of justice.

The world is filled with people who had good intentions, but utilized underhanded means to achieve the desired results.  My own deceit is not justified by my offender's transgressions, no matter how evil.

Corruption reveals falsehood, no matter which end the underhanded deeds occur.  If someone is truly wrong, I can trust God to shed light on the matter, (1 Corinthians 4:5)  bringing those transgressions into the light. 

I am called to lovingly restore those who fall into sin, but I am warned to be careful, lest I am tempted in some way myself.  (Galatians 6:1-5)  It is very easy for me to think I'm capable of helping someone out of the shadows, but I must do so with the full vision of my own identity as a sinner saved by grace.   Only Jesus can change a heart that is hardened to sin.  

Trusting Jesus means staying in the light and letting Him deal with what is done in the darkness.

Jesus did not hide His teachings, showing us how the Truth is handled.  It is delivered without shame or guilt, is readily received by those whose heart is aligned with Jesus, and needs no defense.  I can rely on the Truth as a good indicator of my proximity to Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can use the Truth in a way that keeps me close to Jesus.

When am I easily offended by the things that Jesus says?

How can I better accept His teachings?

Of One Accord

"My prayer is not for them alone.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father,

just as you are in me and I am in you.

May they also be in us so that the world

may believe that you have sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me,

that they may be one as we are one:

I in them and you in me.

May they be brought to complete unity 

to let the world know that you sent me 

and have loved them even as you have loved me."

John 17:20-23

It has long been said that religion and politics are two topics of conversation to avoid in polite gatherings.  Since both elicit passionate responses and strong opinions, its virtually impossible to hold a pleasant discussion regarding ones' beliefs.  Check out the comment thread under any news story found on the Internet regarding political decisions being made on behalf of the people and its easy to see that we are divided in our beliefs.

Partisanship has long been a problem in politics, as confirmed by this plea made by President John F. Kennedy.  "Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.  Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past.  Let us accept our own responsibility for the future."  Finding common ground in Capitol Hill has always been difficult.

The same, however, should not be said about the Body of Christ.  Jesus prayed that just as He and His Father are one that His people should also be of one accord.  This may seem to be an impossible feat, but with God, all things are possible.  It is vital that believers "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:3)  We may not always agree, but we are saved by the same Christ and led by the same Spirit.

For this reason, I can find common ground with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Foot of the Cross

I have heard it said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.  As Jesus hung in agony, taking the sin of mankind upon Himself to make a way for me to enjoy a relationship with my Creator forever, there were many who stood there as witnesses.  The soldiers, the women, the mockers, His mother, the disciples:  each had to decide for themselves who Jesus was to them.  A devoted son?  A gifted teachers?  A foolish man?  The Savior of my soul?

For all those who decide that Jesus is Lord and Savior, a common bond exists.  I can travel to the far reaches of the world and run into a sister in Christ and we will be able to relate to each other, despite our diverse backgrounds.  The truth of the Gospel draws us together.

Why, then, do I have troubles with believers in my midst?  My feelings get hurt, my toes are stepped on or I'm uncomfortable with certain traditions.  In a nutshell, my selfish, self-centered attitude keeps me from unity within the Body.

This is why it is vital to the testimony of the Light in a dark world that I strive for peace between family members.  When I don't agree with what someone says, I can put the cause of Christ above my own desire to be right and let it go.  When I feel I'm not being heard, I can place my frustrations in the hands of the only One who can change a heart.  When I'm irritated by the actions of another, I can ask the Lord to give me eyes to see His children as He sees them.

The prayer of Jesus is for the Body of Christ to be unified in the Gospel as our shared foundation.

Glory of God

The boy humbly came before the store manager, holding out his hand to reveal the stolen pack of gum.  "I'm sorry I stole this from you, sir," the 6-year-old stuttered as a single tear rolled down his chocolate-colored cheek, "and I wanted to return it to you."  The lad stood with his head down, waiting for the sentence to be handed down from the man he had affronted with his selfish act of greed.  "Son, you are free to go.  Never before have I seen such honor.  Please tell your mother she is doing a fine job in raising a respectable young man."

The actions of children always reflect, either negatively or positively, upon their parents.  In the same way, the things I do and the way I live my life reflects upon my heavenly Father.  God's glory dwells within me, but many times I choose to live according to my flesh, effectively squelching His magnificence in my life, leaving me only with my own self.  

When I'm walking in a way that pleases myself, I tend to become separated in one way or another from other believers.  Either I won't seem to have much in common with them as I stray away from the path of righteousness, or their idiosyncrasies will begin to annoy me as I'm led by my own flesh instead of God's Spirit.  Living my life according to the flesh leads to disunity.

When, however, I walk in the Spirit, letting Him lead me, shape me and mold me, His grace flows through me giving me the ability to live in a way that pleases Him.  If my relationship with Christ is intact, my bond with others will also be healthy.  As I abide in Jesus, He shows me when I need to seek forgiveness, when I'm being harsh, or when I'm too self-centered.  

In this way, people will see the good that comes out of me and recognize it as from my Father.  Instead of me getting the praise and honor, God will get it all.

The prayer of Jesus is for the Body of Christ to show the glory of God in the way we get along with each other.

Love Binds Us

Out of the 6.9 billion people estimated to be living on planet Earth in 2010, 2.18 billion profess to be Christian.  While one-third of those Christians live in the Americas, fully one-fourth live in Sub-Saharan Africa and one in eight in Asia and the Pacific.  It takes some strong adhesive to bind such a diverse group of people together.

The binding agent that keeps us unified despite our differences is the love that flows through our veins.  This love comes from God who loved us first, enabling us to have compassion for others.  (1 John 4:19)  When my brother or sister falls short, as we all do, this love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8, Proverbs 10:12)  Coming alongside someone who is falling away from the truth is much more loving than standing in front of them shaking my finger in condemnation.  It is important to speak the truth in love, with the intention of mending the fellowship they have with Christ.  

As this love binds me together with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, enabling me to overlook imperfections and embrace differences, a legacy of love will be laid down for all who witness our lives.  Instead of being known for hypocrisy or judgementalism, then,  the Body of Christ will be known for His love.  (John 13:35)

This love does not come from within my natural self.  Rather, God's love flows through me from His indwelling Spirit, loving those around me whom I cannot love on my own.  As David McCasland wrote in Our Daily Bread, "Our limited ability to love does not change God's limitless power to love through us."

The prayer of Jesus is for the Body of Christ to be bound together by His love.

Unity in the Body of Christ is possible as we stand together on the solid ground of the Gospel, give glory to God by showing grace to others, and let the love of God bind us together.  In this way we will be living as of one accord.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let Jesus be my focus as I face difficulties today.

When do I put my own selfish desires about the glory of God?

How do I let difficulties or disagreements block the flow of love from God out to others? 

Walking , Leaping and Praising God

"When all the people saw him walking and praising God,

they recognized him as the same man

who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,

and they were filled with wonder and amazement

at what had happened to him."

Acts 3:9-10

How do I praise God in the places I frequent?  Do those I see on a regular basis recognize the changes Jesus has done in me?  Are they filled with wonder and amazement at what the power of God has accomplished in my life?

My life is to be a living testimony to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in me. (Romans 12:1-2)  Many times, however, I'm weighed down with the worries of this world, plagued with the pain of past hurts, or wracked with guilt from my sin.  Instead of walking in His light as one whose been freed from ties to this world and the sin that plagues it, I tend to walk in the shadows, afraid I'm not good enough for the light, not worthy or not able to walk with Jesus.

The truth is, only the blood of Jesus makes me right with God and pure by faith so that I can step into the light.  When I do, people will see all He's doing through me and praise my Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

In order for my life to be a testimony to God, I must shed all my doubts, fears and misconceptions about myself and start believing in what God can do through me.  Even my  inadequacies cannot stop the God of Wonder.

This day may I shed the weight of doubt and walk freely in the Light so that people will go walking, and leaping and praising God as they notice His Spirit within me.

True Love

"The third time he said to him,

'Simon son of John, do you love me?'

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time,

'Do you love me?'

He said,

'Lord, you know all things;

you know that I love you.'

Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'"

John 21:17

True love is not shown in the words I say but in the way I live.  To Jesus, the sheep God had given to Him to shepherd were His prime focus. (John 17:12)

In the same way, He wants me to have a similar drive to care for those who belong to Him.  As I live my life, I come across all kinds of people from different walks of life.  God has specifically placed each one in my path.  

Do some need to hear the gospel so they can enter the fold?

Do others need discipleship training to show them how to follow their Shepherd?

Do still others need encouragement in their walk?

The way my love for Jesus is manifested is in the way that I care for His sheep.

Credible Witness

"The man who saw it has given testimony,

and his testimony is true.

He knows that he tells the truth,

and he testifies so that you also may believe."

John 19:35

John told what he had seen take place before his eyes: the fulfillment of many prophecies in the way Jesus died.

He gave witness so others would hear and then believe that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God to make a way where there is no way; to provide eternal life to all who believe.

What have I witnessed Jesus do in my life that I can share with others so that they, too, can believe?  

Transformation?

Provision?

Protection?

Deliverance?

Peace?

What stories do I have to tell this day?

Peace of Preparation

"'I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace.  

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.'"

John 16:33

I didn't know what to expect.  I had never been through a military burial ceremony so I was walking into the unknown.  Thankfully, the personnel in charge told us exactly what was to happen during the short service, setting our minds at ease and helping us to prepare for what was to come.  Burying a loved one is never easy, but it's made so much more difficult when everything seems foreign and unfamiliar.

Knowing what to expect makes a tough time a bit easier to process.  As a follower of Christ, I have been similarly warned of what is to come in this life.  Jesus gave me a heads up so that I would be able to rest in His peace as things unfold just as He predicted.  Paying attention to His instructions gives me the freedom to trust in Him when the going gets hard.  He wants me to live life with my eyes wide open, with the full knowledge of what I can expect so that nothing I face will be a surprise.  Instead, the hardships will grow my faith as He and His words are shown to be trustworthy and faithful.

If I can trust Him with my unknown future, then I can certainly trust Him with the reality of the present.

Trouble is Guaranteed

I once heard someone say that I shouldn't be surprised when someone dies, but instead be amazed that I've been given another day to live.  Each breath I take is a gift from God, an extension of His mercy and grace.  Without His go-ahead or permission, neither good nor bad will enter my life.  

As a human created by a Sovereign God, I must always keep in mind that my life is literally in His hands.  I need also to remember that I am living in a fallen, sinful world filled with darkness and suffering.  This world is at odds with the Holy God in whom I claim allegiance through faith in Jesus Christ.  Because of the stance I take, aligning myself with Christ, I can expect the same kind of treatment He received while here on earth.  (John 15:18-21)  

It would be foolish for me to anticipate a comfortable life where everyone likes me and agrees with what I say.  I would be expecting different from what He warned of me if I thought I'd be well-received by those who don't belong to Jesus.  Going forward with my eyes wide-open means I'll rejoice when I run into opposition because I'll see it as a fulfillment of His warning.  It also means I'll not just accept hard times, but I'll actually be prepared for difficulties as a part of living a life submitted to God.

Instead of fighting against the tribulations, then, I will embrace them as a part of the package of walking with Christ.  When I'm mistreated for the sake of Christ, I'll take it as a sign that I'm on the right path.  If everything is easy and people of the world tend to fall in line behind me, I may have to question to where my allegiance lies.

Living a life for Jesus means that trouble is guaranteed.

Don't Lose Heart

The rate of suicide tends to increase with economic downturns.  As people see their hopes and dreams slip away along with their lost investments and decreased job stability, many give up on life.  Putting my faith in anything other than God puts me at risk for this kind of mentality.

If I trust in my own wherewithal or abilities to get me through life, thinking that I'll be able to make my own dreams come true, I'll be in for a rude awakening when things don't go as planned.  As I try to come to terms with disappointments and frustrations in my life, I won't be able to cope if I think my well-being rests in my own hands.  

If, instead, I know that God is the master planner and that I can expect hard times both as a tool to grow my faith as well as a consequence of being at odds with the world, then I'll have the assurance that everything will be okay because the One who is in control is good. 

Trusting God means taking the good with the bad and realizing it is all a part of what He's doing in my life.  As a good God, (James 1:17) He will use it all for my good as I submit myself to His will.  (Romans 8:28)  When trouble comes, my faith will propel me through it and give me the strength to wait on His good purposes instead of thinking it is the end of the world.

Living a life for Jesus means that I won't give up when times get hard.

Jesus Wins

I remember watching a rerun of a football game where I already knew the outcome.  When my team, who would eventually win, fumbled the ball, I didn't despair because I realized the final score and rested in the knowledge that my team would be victorious.

In the same way, as a follower of Jesus, I already know that my team wins.  Satan, the Father of lies whose main mission is to deceive and confuse, will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternal torment.  (Revelation 20:10)  Knowing ahead of time that evil will not prevail is enough to give me confidence to live as more than a conqueror.  (Romans 8:37)  When I see the darkness around me, I can let this knowledge spur me on.  

It's easy to let the suffering discourage me.  It sometimes seems like evil is prevailing.  When these thoughts come into my head, I must remind myself what John said about discerning between the messages put out in the name of God and of the Devil.  He said the Spirit who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.  As a vessel of the Spirit of God, I can not only recognize when a messenger is not from Him, but I can also prevail over the evil in this world.

As King David said in Psalm 37, "The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  But the wicked will perish; The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke." (Psalm 37:18-20)

Satan my have free reign for now, but his power will not last forever.  Additionally, he only is able to do as the LORD allows.  Soon, his rule over this world will end and his punishment will begin.  In the meantime, I can trust that Jesus will not lose any of those who belong to Him.  (John 6:39)  I can live in confidence in this dark world that Jesus has overcome.

Living a life for Jesus means I can walk in the assurance of His defeat of evil.

Knowing what to expect makes going through the unknown a little easier.  Since Jesus gave me a heads up as to what to expect in this life, I can trust Him when I see things getting hard.  Then I won't be surprised when hard times come my way, I'll be inspired to continue on, and I'll rest in the knowledge that my Savior and Lord is a conqueror.  The result will be the peace that comes with His preparation.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on my conqueror instead of on the work of the Evil One.

How do I lose heart in the face of suffering?

When do I forget that I'm on the winning team?