Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

January 05, 2010

Locked In

READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

I suffer trouble . . . even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. -2 Timothy 2:9

Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, describes his life after a massive stroke left him with a condition called "Locked-In Syndrome." Although he was almost completely paralyzed, Bauby was able to write his book by blinking his left eyelid. An aide would recite a coded alphabet, until Bauby blinked to choose the letter of a word he was dictating. The book required about 200,000 blinks to write. Bauby used the only physical ability left him to communicate with others.

In 2 Timothy we read of Paul experiencing a different kind of "locked-in syndrome." Under house arrest, the apostle learned that his execution might be imminent. With this in view, he told Timothy: "I suffer trouble . . . even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained" (2 Tim. 2:9). In spite of his isolation, Paul welcomed visitors, wrote letters of encouragement, and rejoiced at the spread of God's Word.

For some of us, circumstances may have isolated us from others. Lying in a hospital bed, serving time in a prison, or being a shut-in can make us feel that we are experiencing our own "locked-in syndrome." If this is true for you, why not prayerfully reflect on some ways you can still reach out to others.  - Dennis Fisher

Give me to serve in humble sphere,
I ask not aught beside!
Content to fill a little place,
If God be glorified. -Anon.

No deed is too small when done for Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Has You?

In Mark 10:17-22, this is what we read,
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This is an interesting passage, isn't it?!  I think verse 22 could probably be read as "great possessions had him," and we wouldn't do too much damage to the text.  Possessions possessed him, and he went away from his conversation with Jesus sorrowful.

When Jesus met this guy, He was able to cut right to the heart issue, what controlled his life.  Verse 21 could be paraphrased, "Okay, you really want it?  Here's your roadblock, baby."  It was the guy's attitude toward his stuff. 

This man loved possessions, wealth, and the things of this life more than he loved Jesus.
Where are you today, my friend?  Have you allowed our world to con you into believing that you should base your life on the stuff you accumulate?  Or do you love God the most?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read: Genesis 4:1-16; Exodus 2:11-15

Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. - Genesis 4:7

TODAY IN THE WORD
Off the shore of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island offers a stunning panorama of the city, the bay, and all the natural and cultural beauty surrounding it. But when Alcatraz was used as a prison, it was the proximity to civilization that made it so torturous. Inmates could hear the sounds of music and parties and fun just beyond their prison walls, but steel bars and icy, swirling waters kept them hopelessly separated from the merriment that taunted them. Cain and Moses knew that suffering all too well. They aren't traditionally considered as a tandem-Cain was the jealous murderer who killed his brother over the matter of a sacrifice; Moses was the vaunted spiritual leader of Israel who delivered his people from Egypt and to the doorstep of the Promised Land. But both committed murder, and both were exiled after their crimes were discovered.
The circumstances surrounding the two murders were quite different. Cain premeditated his assault on Abel, stewing over the favor given to his brother's sacrifice and denied for his own. Moses acted in the heat of the moment, retaliating against an Egyptian for beating one of Moses' own people. God warned Cain not to let his anger consume him and gave him the opportunity to do what was right for acceptance and freedom (Gen. 4:6). Moses, however, thought no one was watching and acted without anyone's counsel (Ex. 2:12). But both of them violated the will of God, and both of them were forced to flee.
It's also interesting that neither Cain nor Moses paid for their bloodshed with their own lives. God protected Cain, and Moses escaped formal punishment as well (Moses outlived the men who wanted to kill him; see Ex. 4:19). The price of their sin was separation from the societies in which they had lived. This penalty, while harsh, still represented God's tremendous grace. In tomorrow's reading we'll see that God does not always withhold His wrath, but it is worth noting just how willing God is to give His people second chances to obey Him
.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God is much more gracious than society. We can ask forgiveness from God, but we can't escape the reality that sin separates us from the people we love. This is especially true when we commit sins of anger, hatred, or violence. We can all relate to God's warning to Cain-when we are angry, sin is crouching with desire at the door to our hearts. How can we master it? Do what is right and seek acceptance from the Lord. If He'll show grace to a murderer, how much more will He give to those who obey?

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 06, 2010

Ordinances Of Heaven

READ: Psalm 19:1-7
If I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth, then I will cast away the descendants of Jacob and David. -Jeremiah 33:25-26

Mark your calendar now if you want to see the next celestial convergence of Venus, Jupiter, and the moon. On November 18, 2052, you'll be able to peer through the evening darkness as those solar system neighbors "gather" in a tiny area of the sky. That remarkable juxtaposition of reflective spheres last sparkled the night sky on December 1, 2008, and it will happen again 4 decades from now.

This predictability, as well as things such as eclipses and the return of Halley's Comet (July 28, 2061), prove the orderliness of the universe. If no fixed set of laws governed the movement of everything in the universe, such predictions could not be made.

Are these set rules more than random standards? Can we see God's hand in these celestial certainties? Look at Jeremiah 33:25-26. God has in view the covenantal relationship between Himself and His people, and He uses a scientific fact in the analogy. In effect, God says that His fixed universal laws, "the ordinances of heaven and earth," have the same certainty as His promises to His covenant people.

God's laws have governed the universe since its creation-and continue to do so with astounding predictability. So mark your calendar, and be amazed by God's unchanging control.  - Dave Branon

A Prayer: Dear Lord, I marvel at the wonders of Your creation. You are such a great and awesome God who does not change. As I place my life in Your hands, I will trust You to be faithful. Amen.

The wonders of creation reveal God at work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Vital Sign of Pride

Pride and self-sufficiency are unmistakable signs of a heart that is in desperate need of reviving.  Isaiah 57:15 tells us,

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:  "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

To have a contrite heart literally means you break easily.  Even at the thought of grieving God's Spirit you break and repent very quickly.  It means you walk softly in your heart before God. 
God says He will revive those with a humble spirit and a contrite heart.  But one of the great dangers among Christians today-especially for those living in the western world with all of its abundance-is a belief that we don't need anything.

More than ever we need to read the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:17,
"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."

How can you be miserable and naked and not know it?   It's obvious that Jesus is speaking of their inward, spiritual condition.  Apparently, their outward wealth blinded them to their inward poverty.   They fell into the trap of pride, which is one of the inherent dangers that comes with prosperity.  As Christians living in a very prosperous western world, we need to heed this word!

At Disneyland there is a ride with cool little cars.  I remember once seeing a little boy on the ride with his dad, and his feet didn't even reach the pedals!  But Junior thought he was driving, oblivious to the fact that Daddy was actually driving the car and making it go.

We need to remember that our feet don't even reach the pedals, and that Daddy, our God, is the One who makes this thing go.  We need to maintain a humble heart. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: Judges 9:1-24

Do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. - Proverbs 1:15-16


TODAY IN THE WORD
Gideon is known mostly for his service as a judge over Israel. He tore down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah, a wooden idol representing a female deity the Midianites worshiped (Judges 6:26-27) which earned him the name Jerub-Baal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him" (Judges 6:32). He defeated the Midianites with his army of 300 men (Judges 7-8). Gideon's legacy to Israel was his belief that God, not man, should reign as King over Israel (Judges 8:23).

But Gideon's legacy was short-lived. He had over 70 sons, only two of which survived. Abimelech, the son of Gideon by a concubine, rallied his mother's relatives in the city of Shechem to make him their king and then slaughtered the sons of Gideon by execution (v. 5) Only Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, escaped the scourge. This wasn't a crime of passion or an angry outburst. Abimelech used selfishness, hatred, fear, and division to manipulate people and to seize power for himself. And God used those same qualities to exact His wrath upon Abimelech and the entire city of Shechem. The sword by which he lived would become the sword by which he died.

It's disconcerting to read about God sending an evil spirit or demon to invoke His will (v. 23). But it reminds us that even evil spirits cannot elude God's sovereignty. Everything is under His control, and He can direct as He pleases. Secondly, God wasn't turning anyone against the desires of their heart or the nature of their wills. He was provoking their wickedness to avenge sins they had already committed.

The rest of the chapter chronicles the rebellion of Shechem, Abimelech's destruction of the city, and the woman who crushed Abimelech's head with a millstone. But the lesson of the passage goes beyond the details of the battles. God administered His justice by allowing Abimelech's thirst for violence and power to destroy him and his collaborators. Abimelech's crimes brought natural consequences in the hands of a supernatural Lord..

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
For the rest of this day (or in any day) reconsider the word natural. Remember that God created this world, and nothing in it is independent of His control. The systems, rules, and results that are so familiar within the natural world are still the handiwork of our Lord. The food we eat, the warmth of the sun, and the practical consequences of our actions don't come from "Mother Nature." They come from God. Praise Him for the wonders big and small that He provides in every moment.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 07, 2010

God Loveth Adverbs

READ: Colossians 3:8-17
But we have the mind of Christ. -1 Corinthians 2:16

The Puritans wisely sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two worlds together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular. They had a saying, "God loveth adverbs; and careth not how good, but how well." Adverbs describe verbs-our words of action and activity. The proverb implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results.

Pleasing God doesn't mean that we must busy ourselves with a new set of "spiritual" activities. As the Puritans said, whether cleaning house or preaching sermons, shoeing horses or translating the Bible, any human activity may constitute an offering to God.

We spend much time immersed in the mundane. "But we have the mind of Christ," Paul reminds us (1 Cor. 2:16). That truth is to guide everything we do. Caring for an elderly parent. Cleaning up after a child. Sitting on a porch with a neighbor. Fielding a customer's complaint. Filling out patient charts at a nurses' station. Sitting in traffic. Sawing lumber. Reporting tips. Shopping for groceries.

We need faith and the mind of the Lord Jesus to recognize something of lasting value in even our most ordinary tasks.  - Philip Yancey

In the common round of duty
Lift thy heart in praise;
For the Lord hath surely promised
Strength for all thy days. -Tovey

The world crowns success; God crowns faithfulness!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Matter of the Heart

God cares deeply about the motivations of our hearts.  Yesterday, we saw that the heart is what matters most in giving.  In Matthew 6:6, 17-18, we are shown just how important the heart is to God.

First Jesus deals with our heart when we pray,

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Next He deals with our heart when fasting,

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Jesus wants you and me to pray with the right heart, not seeking the praise of others.  And the same is true with fasting.  When you fast, you are not supposed to let everybody know.

When you fast, if somebody says, "Hey, would you like to go to lunch today?" and you reply, "I can't.  I'm fasting," they may think, "Wow, he's spiritual!" but that is all the reward you get, right there, so you better enjoy it.

What is Jesus' point?  When we give to the poor, when we pray, when we fast, we do not do it to get the applause or recognition of men.  We do it out of obedience to God, out of love for our fellow men, and just wanting to help somebody else who is trying to make it through the day on this planet.

That is why we should do it.  That is the right motivation of the heart.   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2

TODAY IN THE WORD
On Christmas Eve in 1914, German and British soldiers on opposite sides of the fields of Flanders during World War I received a surprise in their trenches-Christmas gift boxes from their respective governments. Some German soldiers erected small Christmas trees, lit candles, and sang carols. The British soldiers joined in the celebration. They celebrated Christmas with gifts, camaraderie, and impromptu soccer matches-and without violence. The Great War raged on for four more years, but in that moment those men understood the true meaning of peace.
Isaiah's messianic announcement came during a time of great trouble for Israel. The Northern Kingdom had been conquered by Assyria, and Judah would later be taken captive by Babylon. Peace was an unrealistic expectation at that time, and no one knew that better than Isaiah (39:6). Yet today's passage speaks of a king who reigns in peace with justice and righteousness forever-as if His rule had already begun. The great light in the darkness had been seen, the child had been born, and the source of peace had arrived.

But the birth of Christ was still about seven centuries away. Isaiah was speaking prophetically, and the assurance of a coming Savior brought hope and peace to the hearts of God's people. Political peace was a far-off wish and peace with God wasn't imminent either-Isaiah devotes much of his prophecy to proclaiming judgment against the faithlessness of Judah. Such was the product of a world that ignored God's standards of love and obedience. But the coming peace didn't depend on the hearts of men or the mercy of foreign kings; it would be delivered by God.

For all the military imagery in the passage, the focal point is the birth of a child who didn't become a soldier, hold a sword, or command an army. And though He would commit no crime, He would take the punishment a violent world deserved and bring peace everlasting..

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isaiah looked ahead from a troubled time to the birth of the Prince of Peace. Even thousands of years after that miraculous event, the climate of unrest in our world hasn't changed much. We still look forward to seeing Christ eradicate all violence from the earth. But we can glimpse His kingdom. By the power of His Holy Spirit, His peace reigns in our hearts and in our relationships. Whatever battles rage around us, the end to crimes of violence and hatred begins with the peace we have in Christ.

GOD BLESS!
.

[Judy Harder]

January 07, 2010

God Loveth Adverbs

READ: Colossians 3:8-17
But we have the mind of Christ. -1 Corinthians 2:16

The Puritans wisely sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two worlds together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular. They had a saying, "God loveth adverbs; and careth not how good, but how well." Adverbs describe verbs-our words of action and activity. The proverb implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results.

Pleasing God doesn't mean that we must busy ourselves with a new set of "spiritual" activities. As the Puritans said, whether cleaning house or preaching sermons, shoeing horses or translating the Bible, any human activity may constitute an offering to God.

We spend much time immersed in the mundane. "But we have the mind of Christ," Paul reminds us (1 Cor. 2:16). That truth is to guide everything we do. Caring for an elderly parent. Cleaning up after a child. Sitting on a porch with a neighbor. Fielding a customer's complaint. Filling out patient charts at a nurses' station. Sitting in traffic. Sawing lumber. Reporting tips. Shopping for groceries.

We need faith and the mind of the Lord Jesus to recognize something of lasting value in even our most ordinary tasks.  - Philip Yancey

In the common round of duty
Lift thy heart in praise;
For the Lord hath surely promised
Strength for all thy days. -Tovey

The world crowns success; God crowns faithfulness!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





A Matter of the Heart

God cares deeply about the motivations of our hearts.  Yesterday, we saw that the heart is what matters most in giving.  In Matthew 6:6, 17-18, we are shown just how important the heart is to God.

First Jesus deals with our heart when we pray,

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Next He deals with our heart when fasting,

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Jesus wants you and me to pray with the right heart, not seeking the praise of others.  And the same is true with fasting.  When you fast, you are not supposed to let everybody know.

When you fast, if somebody says, "Hey, would you like to go to lunch today?" and you reply, "I can't.  I'm fasting," they may think, "Wow, he's spiritual!" but that is all the reward you get, right there, so you better enjoy it.

What is Jesus' point?  When we give to the poor, when we pray, when we fast, we do not do it to get the applause or recognition of men.  We do it out of obedience to God, out of love for our fellow men, and just wanting to help somebody else who is trying to make it through the day on this planet.

That is why we should do it.  That is the right motivation of the heart.   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2

TODAY IN THE WORD
On Christmas Eve in 1914, German and British soldiers on opposite sides of the fields of Flanders during World War I received a surprise in their trenches-Christmas gift boxes from their respective governments. Some German soldiers erected small Christmas trees, lit candles, and sang carols. The British soldiers joined in the celebration. They celebrated Christmas with gifts, camaraderie, and impromptu soccer matches-and without violence. The Great War raged on for four more years, but in that moment those men understood the true meaning of peace.
Isaiah's messianic announcement came during a time of great trouble for Israel. The Northern Kingdom had been conquered by Assyria, and Judah would later be taken captive by Babylon. Peace was an unrealistic expectation at that time, and no one knew that better than Isaiah (39:6). Yet today's passage speaks of a king who reigns in peace with justice and righteousness forever-as if His rule had already begun. The great light in the darkness had been seen, the child had been born, and the source of peace had arrived.

But the birth of Christ was still about seven centuries away. Isaiah was speaking prophetically, and the assurance of a coming Savior brought hope and peace to the hearts of God's people. Political peace was a far-off wish and peace with God wasn't imminent either-Isaiah devotes much of his prophecy to proclaiming judgment against the faithlessness of Judah. Such was the product of a world that ignored God's standards of love and obedience. But the coming peace didn't depend on the hearts of men or the mercy of foreign kings; it would be delivered by God.

For all the military imagery in the passage, the focal point is the birth of a child who didn't become a soldier, hold a sword, or command an army. And though He would commit no crime, He would take the punishment a violent world deserved and bring peace everlasting..



TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isaiah looked ahead from a troubled time to the birth of the Prince of Peace. Even thousands of years after that miraculous event, the climate of unrest in our world hasn't changed much. We still look forward to seeing Christ eradicate all violence from the earth. But we can glimpse His kingdom. By the power of His Holy Spirit, His peace reigns in our hearts and in our relationships. Whatever battles rage around us, the end to crimes of violence and hatred begins with the peace we have in Christ.

God Bless!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 08, 2010

The Final Opening Ceremony

READ: Revelation 15
All nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested. -Revelation 15:4
Some words used to describe the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics were awesome, breathtaking, and extravagant. One commentator observed, "This shows what happens when you give an artist an unlimited budget."

When I heard this, I thought, That's what God did at creation! He held nothing back. The resulting universe is stunning in beauty, staggering in complexity, extravagant in all regards.

The Olympic ceremony was perfect in its precision; but if just one drummer or dancer had decided to alter the artist's vision, the whole ceremony would have been flawed.

That's what happened shortly after creation. Unlike the Olympic producer, God allowed free choice, and His work of art was marred by Adam and Eve's idea of a better way. In Isaiah's words, "We have turned, every one, to his own way" (53:6).

God's solution to our waywardness was unimaginable: The Artist paid the price to recreate what we ruined. One day, there will be another opening ceremony, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10). And those from every nation who have accepted God's plan in Christ will worship together in the flawless New Jerusalem (Rev. 15:4).  - Julie Ackerman Link

Yes, God was so great in creation,
But greater, much greater in grace!
For when man had sinned and had grieved Him,
He sent Christ to die in his place! -Bennard

We have all eternity to praise God-begin today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Heart of the Issue

Over the last few devotionals, we have learned just how important our heart motivation is in giving, praying, and fasting.  In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus continues to deal with matters of the heart,

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

How do you lay up treasures in heaven?  Jesus told the rich young ruler, "Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."  So giving to help people, giving to the poor, giving to ministry, giving to God's work instead of hoarding it up, giving to God-that is the way you lay treasure up in heaven.

But notice that Jesus goes on to say, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Jesus hasn't really changed the subject.  The heart of the issue is the heart.  That is the theme of Jesus' teaching.

A right heart attitude-a proper heart motive-is what God cares about most.  That is true whether you are giving, you are praying, or you are fasting.  He wants you to do these things for the right reasons.

Those right reasons include your desire to help people.  Your desire to express your love for God and His Kingdom.  Those are the right reasons.

Jesus said, when you are motivated by the right reasons, you are laying up treasure in heaven.  He says, "Where your treasure is (in heaven with God), there your heart will be also." 

His point?  The heart of the issue is your heart. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: Numbers 15:38-41
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10


TODAY IN THE WORD
Human minds and moods are greatly affected by visual cues. A restaurant decorated with bright colors can raise diners' energy levels and shorten their visits, while more subdued colors and softer textures promote relaxation and the desire to stay put. Decreased exposure to sunlight can cause Seasonal Anxiety Disorder in many people, while the display of festive Christmas decorations can lift people's spirits. What we see dramatically affects how we feel and what we think.
God was not unsympathetic to the plight of the Israelites and their need for visual reminders of a God they could not see. To remind them of His guidance, He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). To remind them of His presence and holiness, He instructed them to make a tabernacle where He would dwell (Ex. 25:. To remind them of His provision and protection, He had them celebrate three annual festivals (Ex. 23:14-16). And, as we read today, He told them to stitch reminders of His commands into the very fabric of their clothes.

The logistics were fairly simple. A blue cord on the corner of their garments would remind them of God's commandments. But the importance of this custom had nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with the spiritual well-being of God's people. One of the most dangerous threats to Israel lay in their own desires that would lead them into unfaithfulness. God didn't want them to do whatever they felt was right in their hearts (see Judges 21:25). He wanted them to remain pure.

And purity was not without reward. By obeying God's commandments, Israel would be consecrated unto God, His holy people (v. 40). God's demand for faithfulness showed the significance of Israel's relationship with Him. It was more than an example of God saying, "Obey, because I said so." It was based on relationship: "Obey, because you are my people, and I am your God."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you keep visual reminders of God's Word around you at all times? It helps to have Bible verses posted where you can see them, to carry around a packet of Scripture references, or (for those who spend a lot of time on the computer) on your desktop. Even a more subtle cue (like the once popular What Would Jesus Do? bracelets) can be extremely helpful in reminding us that we belong to God and we need to obey Him, especially when our eyes and hearts are tempted by worldly desires.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 09, 2010

Fear Of The Unknown

READ: Hebrews 11:8-12
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . . And he went out, not knowing where he was going. -Hebrews 11:8
Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed unreasonable? Something that took you into the territory of the unknown? What if He asked you to refuse a long-awaited promotion or resist a longed-for relationship? What if He called you to a remote part of the world or asked you to release your children to serve Him in a faraway place?

The unknown is full of haunting "what ifs." Yet God often calls us to chart unknown territory as we follow Him. Obeying His commands to forgive, to give away our treasures, or to give up things that provide security and pleasure often leave us in the scary territory of unknown outcomes.

Imagine how Abraham felt when God asked him to move his whole family without telling him where they were going (Gen. 12:1-3). God also asked Abraham to persevere-to stay in an unknown land even when the lure of past comforts may have threatened to seduce him and his family back to their comfort zone in Ur.

Entering a new year is like entering uncharted territory. The fear of the unknown could cripple our capacity to follow God's leading through the days ahead. Yet, like Abraham, when we cling to the One who knows all things, we're in good hands-regardless of where He leads.  - Joe Stowell

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand. -Stanphill

Never be afraid to entrust the unknown future to the all-knowing God.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
God's Guidance System

In Matthew 6:22-24, Jesus tells us the impact when God has our whole heart,

"The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon."

While it may not seem like it, Jesus is talking about the heart.

As we learned in our previous devotionals, if you give to God, and give for the right reasons, God has your heart.  Your heart belongs to Him.  When God has your heart, He can lead you; because that is how God leads, He leads through your heart.

That's really what this illustration is about.  That is what He means by, "The lamp of the body is the eye."

Think about the difference light makes when trying to walk on a narrow, craggy path.  When light comes into your eye, you can see your way.  Your eyes, when the light is able to come in, are a built-in guidance system, aren't they?

Well, you know what?  You have a guidance system God uses to lead you.  That guidance system is called your heart.  If God has your treasure, He has your heart.  But God can't lead you through your heart if He doesn't have your heart.

If God has your heart, then He can begin to lead you.  You can go anywhere He tells you to go.  And interestingly enough, the loyalty of our heart is expressed through our giving.  Giving and guidance tied together?  According to Jesus...definitely! 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: Genesis 19:30-38
For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery. - Mark 7:21

TODAY IN THE WORD
A survey in the United Kingdom showed that 66 percent of adults thought the morality of children had declined from previous generations. Bob Reitemeier, the chief executive of the Children's Society that conducted the study, found that such opinions can be part of the problem. "It is easier to criticize children than to invest in them," he said, adding, "We reap what we sow when it comes to teaching children values."
Proactive involvement in the personal morality of younger generations should be paramount. Today's reading begins where the existence of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had ended. Despite the judgment of wrath God delivered to that wicked civilization and the demise of Lot's wife after looking back (v. 26), Lot's daughters continued the legacy of immorality.

Lot and his daughters fled to the same mountains the angels had recommended as a retreat (v. 17). He had been afraid of them initially, but he grew even more frightened by the town of Zoar, his first choice (v. 20). Lot's fears were probably justified, since his choices in neighborhoods generally led him to frightening places. Unfortunately, he didn't realize he wasn't even safe with his own daughters.

The motivation behind the daughters' plot was to preserve their family line, but their understanding of family was depraved. They bemoaned not the absence of suitable husbands and fathers, but rather the lack of men who could get them pregnant (v. 31). Their coarse language reveals that they were products of their culture rather than disciples of the faith of Abraham. They may have preserved their physical family line, but they abandoned their spiritual roots.

The two nations born to those women would be thorns in the side of Israel. Moab and Ben-Ammi's names suggest the incest that preceded them ("from father," and "son of my people," respectively). Given the family history and example of their parents, their level of morality is not surprising.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Lot's daughters are the extreme case of a common occurrence. Without intervention, solid relationships, or a community with strong moral values, children are likely to make poor or even wicked choices in their lives. The crime in today's reading rested on a deep foundation of sin. When we neglect God's wisdom, we lower the standards of those who observe us. Just as a love for the Word can be passed down to generations, so too can our sin. We owe it to each other-and to God-to stay pure.

GOD BLESS!

Daily Devotional

January 10, 2010

Register Rock

READ: Hebrews 11:32-40
We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. -Hebrews 12:1

Along the old Oregon Trail in Idaho there is a marker-a giant lava boulder known locally as Register Rock. It's located in an area which was one of the favorite overnight camping areas for westbound immigrants who traveled the trail in the 19th century.

Travelers often inscribed their names on the rock as a memorial to their passage. Register Rock stands as a monument to their courage and tenacity.

When I think of Register Rock, I think of other pilgrims who have passed by us on their journey. Hebrews 11 lists some of those hardy souls-Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, to name a few.

But there are other more recent pilgrims: my mother and father, my fifth-grade Sunday school teacher Mrs. Lincoln, my youth leader John Richards, my mentors Ray Stedman and Howard Hendricks, and a host of others I could name. They may not have inscribed their names on rocks, but they're written in my memory.

The author of Hebrews reminds us to remember "pilgrims" who have gone before us, especially those "who have spoken the Word of God" to us and to consider "the outcome of their conduct" (Heb. 13:7). And, most important, he encourages us to follow their faith.  - David H. Roper

The paths of leadership are trod
By those who fix their eyes on God;
Their steadfast spirit points the way
For us to follow day by day. -D. De Haan

People who follow Christ lead others in the right direction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When God Has Our Hearts

In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus applies all we have covered over the last few days,

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Given the context of the preceding verses, Jesus is telling us that if God is first in our giving, then He indeed has our heart. If He has our hearts, He can guide us and meet our needs, and we have no need to worry about provision for our life.

He feeds the birds. He will take care of you. Do not worry. Obey Him, trust Him, and look to Him for your daily bread.

Matthew 6:33 says,

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: Amos 1:13-2:2
No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD. - Deuteronomy 23:3

TODAY IN THE WORD
When the H1N1 virus began spreading across North America, public fear and panic spread even faster. But it wasn't long before scientists had engineered a vaccine. Despite all the apprehension about the virus itself, many parents were just as concerned about the safety of the vaccines. With the disease and the proposed cure being so new, patients were fearful about the unforeseen long-term effects.
If only we could be so cautious toward sin. Today we read about the long-term effects of the unthinkable actions taken by Lot's daughters, nearly one thousand years after they occurred. It is obvious that the sins of both the Ammonites and the Moabites were many, and God's judgment against them was decisive. Amos wasn't the only prophet to deliver such a harsh message. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all pronounced some sort of judgment over both nations, and Zephaniah prophesied that their doom would be like Sodom and Gomorrah's, the culmination of centuries of animosity.

Because of their descent from Lot, God extended considerable grace and leniency toward Moab and Ammon, forbidding Israel to attack them and granting them their own land (Deut. 2:9, 19). That grace was repaid with guile in the time of Israel's wanderings (Numbers 22), in the Promised Land (Judges 10-12), in the days of Saul (1 Sam. 14:47) and David (2 Sam. 8:2) and in almost every chapter of Israel's Old Testament history. Lot's daughters' acts were evil from the start, but who could have predicted how widespread the effect of their crimes would prove to be?

Even more unpredictable was the single most important bright spot through it all. Ruth, the great-grandmother of David and ancestor of Jesus' earthly father Joseph, was a Moabite who married into an Israelite family and wholeheartedly accepted faith in the one true God. In the Lord's infinite wisdom and boundless grace, He saw fit to include a descendant of Lot in the line of Christ.
0-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When the so-called natural repercussions of our sins entangle us, God often extends a hand of grace more readily than He strikes with judgment. As His treatment of the Moabites and Ammonites proves, this is nothing new but rather an eternal attribute of His divine love. While one sin can have far-reaching effects, God's grace is always available to us. There is hope for you today, whatever your sins may be. With it comes great responsibility to obey.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 11, 2010

Following Our Example
READ: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers. -1 Timothy 4:12
Alyssa, who is 6 and just learning to read, often saw her parents and grandparents reading their Bibles in the morning. Early one day, she woke up before everyone else. Grandma found her sitting on the couch, with her Bible and a devotional booklet on her lap. She wanted to follow the example of spending time with God at the beginning of the day.

Timothy, a young pastor, faced heavy responsibilities in the church at Ephesus-training believers, leading in worship, countering false doctrine. The older, experienced apostle Paul gave him instruction on leading the church in these areas, but he also mentioned the importance of personal conduct. He said, "Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).

Paul challenged Timothy: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine" (v.16). If he paid attention to his own spiritual life and to solid doctrine, he would be a godly example to the church family.

We all have others who are observing us. Even little Alyssa has younger siblings watching her. Let's live our lives in such a way that those who follow our example will help others in their walk with God.  - Anne Cetas

Lord, help me live a godly life
Of faith and love and purity
So those who follow what I do
Will grow in their maturity. -Sper

A good example has more value than good advice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go Fish
Over the next seven devotionals, I want to talk to you about the number one business of the Church:  the business of winning souls.  It is what I call "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning."

The first "C"-commission-is found in Mark 16:15.  These are some of the last words Jesus spoke before He ascended into heaven,

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Could it be any clearer?  Jesus said, "Go."  Dare we say, "No"?  He said, "Go."

That is the opposite of "stay," isn't it?  G  G-O.

God wants you and me to take the Gospel to Others.

You and I need to get out into the world!  Jesus was not crucified between two candles on a church altar.  He was crucified out in the byways and highways of humanity, and that is where we must take the message.

Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  That is a promise.  But you know what?  You have to get to the water if you are going to catch fish.  You have to get out of the four church walls, out to where hurting humanity is, and engage them with the gospel.

A while back, I went backpacking with my two sons in a very remote area.  We found a pristine lake where just about every time we would put a line in the water, we would catch a fish.

We also had this incredible camp.  But you know what?  If we wanted to catch fish, we had to go down to the water.  No one could catch a fish sitting in camp.

A lot of Christians just hang around the camp.  They form fishing clubs and talk about how important it is to fish.  But they don't fish.

God wants us to go fish!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: 2 Samuel 11:1-27
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. - Proverbs 5:22

TODAY IN THE WORD
Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein first met at a New York City cafe. Neither woman left her seat for hours, because they were so fascinated to learn as much as they could about each other. You would be too if you had to wait 35 years to meet your identical twin. The women discovered they had been part of a psychological study about the effects of nature versus nurture, a study so controversial that the results have been sealed until 2066. But the women knew right away that, despite being raised in completely different circumstances, they shared a deep connection.
The nurturing that David received in his life could not have been more different from that of Lot's daughters, David's distant ancestors. Whereas they had been raised in one of the most immoral communities of all time, David grew up in a family that worshiped the true God, developing into a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). But what David did in today's reading is evidence that no amountof positive nurturing can eliminate the depraved sin nature inherited by us all.

Just about all of David's decisions in this passage were wrong. By staying behind while his armies fought, David diverged from doing what was right and opened the door for impurity to take hold of his heart. Adultery, murder, deceit, and treachery were all rooted in that one nearly negligible act of selfishness. And it took almost no time for David's sins to manifest in one dire consequence after another. By the time David learned the results of his actions, he had become more concerned about hiding his sin than the death of his people (v. 25).

By contrast, Uriah's deeds were honorable, and that's the injustice of sin. Even the righteous suffer the consequences of other people's crimes. Uriah and other men died. Bathsheba lost her husband. Joab was made an unwitting instrument of sin. And, above all, the Lord was displeased with David. The consequences had only begun to unfold.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Staying pure and holy to God is more than just avoiding sexual sins like David's. The slippery slope of sin began with a failure to fulfill his responsibilities as God's servant. Being holy to God involves staying away from sin and being devoted to what He has for us to do. Think about what tasks God has assigned you, and then do them wholeheartedly. Thank Him for giving you a purpose and an escape from sins of selfishness. Doing whatever your own heart desires apart from God is vastly overrated.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 12, 2010

Finishers

READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:7
When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a black belt in karate. Several years ago, I began training and came close to fulfilling that goal. However, two belts away from my goal, I quit. There were two reasons-my teacher changed styles in the middle of my training, and I got so busy that I could not devote adequate time for training.

Almost every week, I am nagged by the thought that God wants me to be a finisher in all aspects of my life-but especially in my service for Him.

As Paul spoke of the conclusion of his life, he did not have any nagging thoughts of unfinished business about his ministry. In this final farewell (2Tim. 4:7), Paul used imagery-rich words to talk about finishing his service for Christ. He described his life and ministry in terms of a fight: "I have fought the good fight." The fight was good because he had engaged in it for God and the gospel. Then he used the imagery of a race as synonymous with his ministry: "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul affirmed that by God's grace he had finished all that God had given him to do.

As followers of Jesus, let us strive to be finishers, persevering in our service for Jesus Christ.  - Marvin Williams

For every follower of Christ
There is a race to run;
And when we cross the finish line,
We'll be with Christ, God's Son. -Fitzhugh

Run the race with eternity in view.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compassion for the Lost
Yesterday we started a series of devotionals I am calling "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning."  Today I want to point you to the second "C"-compassion.  In Mark 16:16 Jesus said,

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

Now, condemned is a pretty soft word in the English language.  I actually like the King James Version, where it says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Condemned or damned, it means eternally separated from God with no opportunity of rescue or retrieval.  Forever lost.  Think about it!

Do you recall the story Jesus told of the rich man who died?  It ought to send a shudder through the heart of even the most brazen sinner.

Jesus tells us that the rich man died and was in torment, in flame.  Jesus goes on to say that the rich man lifted up his eyes, and begged for mercy.  But no mercy came, even as it says in Revelation 14:11, "The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever."

I know it is not a popular subject in the Church to talk about hell, but Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven.  It is a very real place.  If we would consider just for a moment the end of the man or woman who rejects Christ, it ought to cause our hearts to be stirred with compassion.

When was the last time you and I shed a tear over lost humanity?  When was the last time you and I were truly broken with the things that break the heart of God?

Our compassion for the lost ought to move us to do all we can to share Christ with them!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-14
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? - 2 Samuel 12:9


TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most difficult decisions facing a defense attorney is the choice of whether to allow the defendant to testify on his or her own behalf. A convincing testimony can help a jury identify with the person on trial, making the claims of innocence more believable. On the other hand, if the defendant appears abrasive, deceitful, or cold, the decision to take the stand can backfire very quickly, especially if the prosecuting attorney is armed with condemning ammunition.
If he had been on trial today, King David should have pleaded the Fifth Amendment, because his response to the prophet Nathan was a self-incriminating testimony if ever there was one. His anger over the loss of one poor man's lamb was indicative of his true personality, but it lay in stark contrast to the indifference he showed toward Uriah's death. Sin has a way of warping us to the point we no longer resemble the image of God created in us.

The account of 2 Samuel 12 probably occurred many months after Uriah's death, since Bathsheba had already given birth to David's son. Enough time had passed that David didn't see the correlation between Nathan's story and his own wicked deeds. But once confronted with his sin, David was immediately repentant. He received forgiveness and escaped the death penalty he had recommended for himself (v. 13), but God did not erase the consequences (v. 14).

The most immediate punishment was levied on another innocent victim: David's son. He was struck with an illness and died a week later (v. 18). In general, David's family became increasingly dysfunctional from that point forward. But Nathan's specific prophecy was fulfilled in the wickedness of David's son, Absalom (16:21-22). What David had done in secret was repaid to him, shamefully, for his kingdom to see. The punishment fit the crime, and it was an embarrassment for Israel, David's family, and the testimony of the Lord's people.
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Impure pleasure almost always leads to shame. What we think is protected by privacy cannot be hidden from God's sight, nor can the consequences be prevented. For David, one short period of snowballing indiscretion caused an otherwise righteous life to unravel. We need to stay constantly vigilant to stay pure, serve God, and flee from temptation. Live this day and every day as if your life were an open book that anyone could read, and ask the Lord for the help only He can give.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 13, 2010

Credibility

READ: 1 Peter 2:11-21
[Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that . . . they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. -1 Peter 2:12

The recent global financial crisis caused people to pay closer attention to their credit report. When credit was easy to get, some people became careless about how they used it. They didn't bother to save for what they wanted; they just borrowed. Being in debt was no big deal. But in a crisis, that is no longer the case. Having good credit is suddenly very important.

After an advertisement for a credit repair service, a local newscaster said, "Credit repair isn't something you can buy; it's something you have to work for."

The same principle applies to the credibility of our lives. We can't buy it; it's something we have to work for. We may be able to "borrow" credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need our own.

Credibility has to do with the ability to elicit belief. The reason it's essential for Christians is that our lives affect God's reputation (1 Peter 2:12). When we call ourselves by Christ's name, His reputation is tied to ours. If people have reason not to believe us, they may not believe God.

The way to earn credibility is to live honorably. Then others will believe and glorify God.  - Julie Ackerman Link

For Further Study
Look at these Scriptures about Christ's life: Matthew 9:10-13; 20:28; Luke 6:12. How can you live the way He did?

If we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Ground
The next "C" of "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning" is common ground.  We need to endeavor to find common ground with people.  In 1 Corinthians 9:19-24, Paul says,

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

In this passage, Paul is talking about the way he ran-the method he used-to reach people for Christ.  Verse 22 in The Living Bible puts it this way, Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.

Paul didn't run aimlessly.  And like Paul, you have to find a point to relate to people so that you can build a bridge over which the gospel can come.

I encourage you today to find a common area of interest, a common ground, to relate to people in order to share Christ with them. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read: Hebrews 9:11-28
TestHe has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. - Hebrews 9:26


TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the best-selling toys is a collection of nameless stuffed animals-nameless, that is, until their new child owners supply them each a name along with the appropriate six-digit code on Webkinz.com. The popular children's social network allows kids to create a virtual room for a digital version of their plush pals where they can decorate, furnish, and add rooms as well as feed, dress, and interact with their pets. Children love the idea that the toys they hold in their arms are just copies of something much grander.
The tabernacle was a physical representation of something far greater outside of the natural realm. In Hebrews 9, the author of Hebrews introduces this extraordinary concept that true, heavenly realities exist, corresponding to earthly objects incorporated into Israel's worship of God. Being heavenly, they required a better sacrifice that could transcend the divide between the world we see with our eyes and the world we see by faith alone. That sacrifice came in the person of Jesus Christ, and the purification He accomplished was true, perfect, and final.

These past several days have taught us that sin is ingrained in our nature, no matter how righteous we may try to be on our own. But the blood of Christ can cleanse even our consciences, making these earthly vessels suitable for heavenly service (v. 14). The ways of worship assigned by God to His people had been an amazing object lesson of His plan of redemption and purification through the blood of His Son.

The crimes of impurity committed by mankind deserve a punishment of judgment and death. Ultimately, however, Jesus Christ took that punishment upon Himself not only paying for our sins but taking them away as well. We deserved condemnation, but through Christ we receive salvation. Our purity isn't ceremonial, virtual, or imagined. Because of Jesus, it is heavenly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isn't it encouraging to know that there is more to our lives than what we see before us? There is much more to you than what you see in a mirror. In Christ, we are written into the new covenant established by His death and resurrection, and our inheritance is eternal life. From a heavenly perspective, our sins have been washed away. There is no reason to stay in sin! Yes, the penalty for sin is severe, but look instead today on the opportunity to serve in purity afforded you by Jesus Christ.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 14, 2010

The Sin Buildup

READ: 1 John 1:5-10
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. -2 Corinthians 4:7
For hundreds of years, windmills around the world have been used to pump water and to process grains. But in the last few decades, as wind turbines producing electricity have become more prevalent, a "fly in the ointment" unexpectedly occurred.

Researchers discovered that windpower generators worked fine at slow speeds, but at high-wind velocity, bugs on the blades reduced power output. Operators found that it was necessary to regularly wash off the buildup of dead insects to avoid having them slowly decrease the turbine's power.

A buildup of sin in a Christian's life can be a problem as well. God has provided a way to clear the accumulation of sins from our lives. First John 1:9 reminds us: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But unless we do that often, we'll be running on diminished power. That's because the power for living comes from God and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). When we try to live the Christian life in our own strength, we'll feel defeated-like windmills robbed of their energy.

God's power can be more easily seen and experienced in our lives when we get rid of sin's buildup every day.  - Cindy Hess Kasper

The power in our Christian life
Will be diminished by our sin;
Confession will restore our strength-
When we're forgiven, cleansed within. -Sper

Sin drains our spiritual power; confession restores it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Character Counts

So far we have learned about the first three "Cs" of soul winning in the last few devotionals.  Today let me share the fourth "C"-character.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27, particularly verse 27, tells us the importance of character in witnessing to others,

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  Therefore I run thus:  not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight:  not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul said he was temperate in all things, that he disciplined his body.  He would bring it into subjection, meaning he had problems keeping his body in subjection, just like you and I do.

Every one of us has a propensity toward certain sins.  It is important, though, that we rein in our flesh and that we are temperate in all things because our lifestyle affects our message.

Take just a moment and do the following exercise.  Imagine you are an employer.  If you wanted to hire an efficient, competent, trustworthy employee, would you hire yourself at your present salary?

Or let's say that you were going to have to spend the rest of your life with someone just like you.  Would you look forward to it as a great opportunity and privilege?  Or not?

If your character is out of whack, people are going to have a hard time hearing what you have to say.  Character counts!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read: Exodus 5:22-6:11
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. - Exodus 6:6


TODAY IN THE WORD
Political leaders are notorious for their promises. Very rarely can an elected official fulfill every goal laid out on the campaign trail-some don't manage to live up to any. Plans for resurrecting an economy or cleaning up the political system are usually beyond the power of any one person, so it's easy to blame an opponent for failure. But when plans succeed, most politicians are quick to take the credit and watch their popularity skyrocket.
God's promise to Israel was loftier than any human leader could guarantee. And unlike the flimsy plans of men, God's prediction didn't contain the word if. His superiority was definite, and the deliverance of His children was a statement of fact. But the certainty of God's acts wasn't the only notable thing about this promise.

At this point, God didn't even ask the people of Israel to believe Him. He was making an unconditional promise that required no action from them. He would do all the work. He would bring them out. He would free them. He would redeem them. He would take them as His people and be their God. And He would bring them to the land of promise.

The only action ascribed to Israel was knowledge: they would know that the Lord was God and that He alone delivered them out of slavery in Egypt (v. 7). At the time, they dismissed the message Moses carried to them because to them those promises were just loud words from a strange man who had made their workload even harder. Without proof, they would never believe.

The chapters that follow tell the rest of the story. God gave Israel all the proof they needed and more. He demonstrated His power over Pharaoh's false gods, and He showed His mercy to those who believed in Him and followed His instructions. To ignore what He had done would be nothing short of criminal.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you having trouble believing in the power of God to rescue you from any hardship or to provide you with whatever you might need? That could be because you have forgotten what He has done in the past. Take some time to write down the ways God has helped you in the past, beginning with His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. There is no greater feat nor deeper love than the redemption of a sinner. Thank God for all He has done and praise Him for His ability to continually meet your needs.

GOD BLESS!