Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

March 4, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Is This True of Me?
None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . -Acts 20:24


It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world's perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.

What do I count in my life as "dear to myself"? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as "dear to myself." But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, "Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use- but always consider that "you are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.
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Prayers and Preaching

Yesterday we talked about how progressing towards spiritual maturity is a process that will never end in this life.  There are two things I want to focus your attention on today that will help you in that effort.

The first is found in Colossians 4:12,

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
If you are going to be complete or mature in Christ, you need the prayers of others.  In the long haul, I am convinced none of us make it across the finish line without the prayers of other Christians.

The second is found in Colossians 1:27-28,

...Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
In addition to the prayers of others, you need to be under good preaching and teaching to become complete in Christ.  Preaching promotes change while teaching promotes growth, and you need both of them.

Looking back at my Christian life, I can still remember messages that literally shook my world and changed me.  I remember one in particular when I had been saved less than a month.

Some new Christian friends took me to hear an evangelist preach.  I was blessed so I decided to go back the next night.  That night I heard a message that changed my life.  It was a message on the parable of the sower, and that night I fell in love with the Word of God.   It absolutely shaped me.

To become mature in your faith, make sure you are under solid biblical preaching and teaching, and develop the prayer habit as well as soliciting the prayers of others.
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Read: Ezra 3:1-6
Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar . . . to the LORD. - Ezra 3:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Jacob and his sons went to Egypt to escape the famine in the land God had promised to Abraham, the Lord told him that his descendants would one day return to the land of promise (Gen. 46:3-4; 50:24-25). God kept this promise, miraculously leading the people of Israel from Pharaoh's bondage. Yet on the verge of entering the Promised Land, the people balked. They heard the report from ten of the spies that focused on the dangerous inhabitants. They rebelled against Moses, preferring to base their decision on fear of others' power rather than faith in God's promise (see Num. 13:28-14:4).
Centuries later, the people of Israel were again returning to their land. Again God had kept His promise. And again, dangerous people inhabited the land. Anyone familiar with the history of Israel would wonder: What will they do this time? Will they respond in fear or in faith?

Notice in our passage today that the Israelites still feared the peoples who were in the land (v. 3). As we will see this month,this fear was not without reason. But they did not focus on their fear or their foes-they responded with worship. The leadership of Zerubbabel is introduced here, and he led the people in starting right away to rebuild the "altar of the God of Israel" (v. 2).

Although the temple had not yet been rebuilt, Zerubbabel and the people didn't use that to excuse themselves from worship. The tone of the text indicates that they eagerly hurried to complete the altar so that they could resume worship. Obedience and worship are integrally connected throughout Scripture, including in the book of Ezra. The people of God exhibit their identity through worship offered to the Lord and obedience to His decrees. The specific offerings are listed in verses 3 through 5, and notice the refrain describing them: "in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses," "required number," and "appointed sacred festivals" (vv. 2, 4, 5). The people took God's Word seriously, and they acted in faith and obedience.

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APPLY THE WORD
The Lord does not promise us a life free from opposition or obstacles, but He does promise to never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). He doesn't guarantee that we will never have people or situations to fear, but He does promise that He will reward our faith (1 Cor. 15:58). If you are facing a frightening situation, commit the outcome to God and choose to worship and obey Him. Offer Him your praises and service, knowing that His Word will never fail.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

March 7, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
The Source of Abundant Joy
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us -Romans 8:37


Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.

Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against- tribulation, suffering, and persecution- are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him" "in all these things"; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4).

The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).
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An Encouraging Word

A while back I ran into a woman who I hadn't seen in quite some time.  Being my friendly self I said, "Hi!"

The moment I said that she replied, "Oh, Bayless!" and proceeded to open her purse and pull out a letter I had written to encourage her three years earlier.  She said, "I take this with me everywhere I go."

I wanted to cry!  I mean, I was touched.  But then I thought, "Is there no one else who comforts you?  Is there no one else who speaks encouraging words into your life?"  And I wonder the same about you.

Are you needing some encouragement today?  I don't know what you may be faced with, but I personally find comfort and encouragement in the following passage.  It is 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11,

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Think about this for a moment.  As you look into eternity, which is what ultimately matters, you and I are not appointed to wrath!  That is good news!  That is great news!  That is encouraging news!  And that is great comfort!

God is storing up wrath against the ungodly.  But, just like in ancient Egypt when the death angel passed over every home where the blood of the Lamb was, I thank God the wrath of God passes over us!

It is being stored up, but not for me or for you.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we have escaped the wrath of God.

Thank you, Jesus!
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Read: Haggai 1
Now Haggai the prophet . . . prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel. - Ezra 5:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Throughout history, the proclamation of God's Word has transformed individuals and societies. Preaching in the Great Awakening led to an outpouring of conversions as well as witness to both free and enslaved African Americans. The first Black Baptist churches were formed as a result. The revivals in the United States in the early nineteenth century evangelized Native Americans and also encouraged prison reform and care for the mentally ill. The powerful preaching of D. L. Moody led many to salvation and prompted others to serve the urban poor and needy.
The prophet Haggai had a message from the Lord that His people needed to hear. As we'll see today and tomorrow, this faithful proclamation had dramatic results for the Jews' commitment to their call to rebuild the temple.

When this word from God came, construction on the temple had been idle for about fourteen years. In the meantime, however, the people had been busily working-not on the Lord's house, but on their own (v. 9). Scripture indicates that these had been difficult years. Harvests had been sparse, and the people were hungry and disappointed (vv. 6-11). It appears that the people had not given much thought to the lapsed construction of the temple, but had spent a great deal of effort on their homes and material possessions (v. 4).

Haggai urged the people to "give careful thought to your ways" (vv. 5, 7). Again we see the Lord's work in the hearts of Zerubbabel and the rest of the people (v. 14). They had not been actively rebellious against the command of God, but had passively drifted away from their commitment. When they heard this message, they recognized the truth of what Haggai said and were stirred to action.

Notice the time frame in this passage: within a matter of weeks after Haggai delivered the word of the Lord, the people had resumed work on rebuilding the temple (vv. 1, 15). When the Word is faithfully proclaimed, and the Lord opens hearts to respond, the work of God springs into action.
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APPLY THE WORD
Not only did the Lord instruct the people to turn their attention to His temple, He also gave them this assurance: "I am with you" (v. 13). When our loving, faithful God calls us back to obedience, He reminds us of His protection and presence. He never sends us out to face opposition alone; He calls us to walk with Him. Thank Him today for the ministry of His Word in your life, for His help in maintaining the right priorities, and for His never-failing presence.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 8, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Surrendered Life
I have been crucified with Christ . . . -Galatians 2:20


To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God's consideration.

Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?

We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.

If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.
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Forever With Him

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 gives us powerful prophetic words,

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Jesus Christ will return, and the church will be caught away!  We will meet the Lord in the clouds and in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed.  From that moment on, we will always be with the Lord.

Maybe you are going through a rough patch right now.  If so, let me remind you that this earthly life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  But we have eternity in store.  Thank God we will ever be with the Lord!

If He tarries and we die before He returns, we get to go to heaven.  But I have a feeling, with the way things are shaping up, that we will be the generation that sees His return.

Have you noticed how the eyes of the world are on the Middle East?  This is all end times stuff.  Also, one of the things that Jesus said would be a precursor to the end is that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to every nation, literally, to every language group.

And you know what?  That will be completed in our generation.

So keep your eyes fixed on His return, and that day you will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever!
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Read: Ezra 5
Let a search be made in the royal archives . . . to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God. - Ezra 5:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
On March 6 we shared the story of Christ Liberty Family Life Center in Avondale Estates, Georgia, a church forced from its building because of zoning ordinances. Here's more of the story. In response to the city's action, the church filed suit in federal court alleging that the zoning ordinance, which applied only to religious groups, infringed on religious freedom. In August 2010, a federal judge ruled that the city must permit the church to have access to their facilities while the case is heard.
The Samarian people thought that they could use political and legal action to halt the building of the temple and the resurgence of Jewish faith and presence. As we'll see today and tomorrow, God can work through government to protect His people and preserve His work.

The chapter begins by recognizing the prophetic work of Zechariah and Haggai, which we examined in more detail yesterday. No sooner had rebuilding begun, however, when government officials appeared, demanding to know who had authorized this construction project (v. 3). They send a report to the Persian king Darius about the matter.

Several things were different on this occasion than fourteen years earlier. First, the Jewish leaders seemed to understand that they had God's protection, and they did not respond out of fear (v. 5). They tell the government officials the truth about Cyrus's decree and their authorization to rebuild (vv. 11-16). Second, the rebuilding work does not cease while they wait to hear back from Darius. In fact, the description given by Tattenai and the other officials indicated that Zerubbabel and the people had taken the message of Haggai to heart. Not only did they continue to work with diligence, but they were also "making rapid progress" (v. .

The report from the hostile Samarians referenced the rebellious nature of Jerusalem before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., which the royal archives confirmed. But this report referenced the more recent decree by Cyrus in 538 B.C, which according to Persian law must be honored.
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APPLY THE WORD
We've seen how God can work through political leaders and how the government and legal system can affect the people of God. Take time to pray specifically and by name for each of your elected officials. Pray that they will be instruments of God's will in their city, state, and nation. Pray that their hearts will be open to the direction of God, even if-like Cyrus-they aren't believers. Pray, too, that you will demonstrate a Christian attitude and response toward leaders.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 9, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?
Do you also want to go away? -John 6:67


What a penetrating question! Our Lord's words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, "Do you also want to go away?" We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.

"From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:66). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.

Peter saw in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him.

In John 6:70 Jesus lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to go with Him. And each of us must answer this question for ourselves and no one else: "Do you also want to go away?"
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Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises

2 Peter 1:2-4 says,

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I want to draw your attention to verse 4 where the Scripture states that through the promises we partake of God's nature.

The promise is the connector, it is the pipeline through which God's nature flows to us.

"What is God's nature?" you might ask.  It is the answer to everything you need!  His nature is life, it is health, it is peace, it is wisdom, it is abundance.  There is an answer in God's nature for every one of mankind's needs.

That is why the promises are called "exceedingly great and precious."  Without a promise, there is no pipeline.  Without a promise, we cannot partake.

But when you take a promise-an exceedingly great and precious promise-and act upon it in faith, God's nature is released into your situation.

Thank God for His promises!
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Read: Ezra 6:1-12
May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree. - Ezra 6:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Part of the delight in reading the book of Esther comes from the wonderful use of irony. Haman thought he would manipulate the king into bestowing great honor upon him-but the honor went instead to his archrival, Mordecai (Esther 6). Then Haman's plot to destroy Mordecai and all the Jewish people resulted in his destruction on his own gallows, the promotion of Mordecai, and the protection of the Jews (Esther 7-8).
Our passage contains another account of irony in Scripture, and it's notable that this isn't merely a reversal of fortune or expectation. It's an example of God going above and beyond for His people.

In response to the request from the local governors, King Darius ordered a search for the alleged decree from Cyrus that granted permission for the temple to be rebuilt. As Zerubbabel had said, the scroll was indeed found, and it matched their account of events (vv. 1-5).

At this point, Darius could have sent a notice to Tattenai and the local governors that, in fact, the Jews were correct about the decree of Cyrus. He could have simply instructed the officials to leave Zerubbabel alone to continue the construction of the temple, as he stressed in verses 6 and 7. But the decree continued on. Not only did the Lord halt the opposition, He went above and beyond to ensure that His people were provided for.

Darius commanded that the governors pay for the temple construction expenses out of their own treasuries (v. . They also had to provide the materials for the sacrifices, from the animals to the drink and grain offerings, directly facilitating the ability of the Jews to worship God (v. 9). Of course this was motivated by Darius's own self-interest-he welcomed prayers on his behalf to any and every deity his subjects might worship (v. 10). But despite Darius's motives, God was divinely superintending every step.

Tattenai might have thought his appeal to Darius would be the end of temple construction. But God used this to reverse the situation from oppression to protection, and then even beyond, to provision.

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APPLY THE WORD
In the middle of struggles and heartaches, it's comforting to know that the Lord knows the whole story: beginning, middle, and end. He understands your sorrow, and He also prepares your joy. You see the past and the present, but He also knows the plans He has for your future (Jer. 29:11). Just as He was faithful to His people to protect and provide for them, He will be faithful for you.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

March 10, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Being an Example of His Message
Preach the word! -2 Timothy 4:2


We are not saved only to be instruments for God, but to be His sons and daughters. He does not turn us into spiritual agents but into spiritual messengers, and the message must be a part of us. The Son of God was His own message- "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). As His disciples, our lives must be a holy example of the reality of our message. Even the natural heart of the unsaved will serve if called upon to do so, but it takes a heart broken by conviction of sin, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and crushed into submission to God's purpose to make a person's life a holy example of God's message.

There is a difference between giving a testimony and preaching. A preacher is someone who has received the call of God and is determined to use all his energy to proclaim God's truth. God takes us beyond our own aspirations and ideas for our lives, and molds and shapes us for His purpose, just as He worked in the disciples' lives after Pentecost. The purpose of Pentecost was not to teach the disciples something, but to make them the incarnation of what they preached so that they would literally become God's message in the flesh. ". . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . ." (Acts 1:.

Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak. Before God's message can liberate other people, His liberation must first be real in you. Gather your material carefully, and then allow God to "set your words on fire" for His glory.
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Richer Blessings

Jeremiah 23:3-4 says,

"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.  I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD.

As we discovered in one of our earlier devotionals, God gives richer blessings to these who remain faithful (the remnant).  A good question to ask is, "What are the blessings for those who remain faithful?"

Jeremiah gives us a good clue,

They will have no fear.
They will lack for nothing.
They will be fruitful.
They will increase.
Are you interested in increasing?  In fruitfulness?  In not being afraid?  God says those are things that happen to the remnant.  These are the rich blessings you will receive if you stay faithful, committed, and obedient.

I once read a story about an old member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a pitcher named Harry Hartman.  In 1918, he was called up from the minors to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  It was his dream come true!  On his first pitch, the batter hit a single.  No big deal.

The next batter hit a triple.  Harry walked the next guy on four consecutive pitches.  The next batter hit a single.  Harry Hartman walked off the mound, went into the locker room, showered, put on his street clothes, went to a local naval recruiting office, and enlisted.  The next day he was in uniform and was never seen again in professional baseball.  He got discouraged and quit.

No matter what, do not give up!  Remain faithful, because God promises great blessings to those who stay the course.
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Read: Ezra 6:13-22
Then the people of Israel . . . celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. - Ezra 6:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
When the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel opened in 1998, lavish celebrations commemorated the event. Invitation-only parties and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Chicago dignitaries signaled that construction had been completed and the hotel was open for business.
In today's passage, we have the description of the completion of another construction project-the temple of God in Jerusalem was finally finished. A great celebration was held, but instead of parties and celebrities, the event featured worship and an acknowledgment of God's goodness.

The governors of the area obeyed the decree of Darius, and the next four years offered great physical and spiritual blessing to the exiles in Judah. They were continuing to obey God's command to build His house, and they were blessed by the spiritual leadership of Haggai and Zechariah (v. 14). After the many descriptions of disobedience and turmoil, these verses hearten and encourage us that seasons of obedience and blessing do happen for God's people!

Notice three related themes in the account of their celebration: joy, obedience, and worship. The dedication of the temple was an occasion for joy (v. 16). But the people didn't assume that they deserved the credit for this construction project. They were careful to follow "what is written in the Book of Moses" and order their worship through offerings and the installation of their religious leaders (vv. 17-18).

The people observed Passover, and they coupled their ceremonial practice with obedient lifestyles-separating themselves from the "unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors" (v. 21). The word joy appears two more times, and again we see the relationship between joy, obedience, and worship. They were obeying the Lord's instructions for their relationship with Him, they were committed to His worship, and they were filled with joy (v. 22).

Finally, notice how God received the glory. He had changed the heart of the king. He had assisted them with building. The recognition of who God is and what He has done will result in joy, obedience, and worship.
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APPLY THE WORD
Has God done something wonderful in your life? Rejoice and praise Him! Has God been faithful to you? Obey His commands and follow Him! Has God proved Himself full of love, mercy, provision, and protection? Worship Him and give Him the glory! Our lack of joy, obedience, and worship always stems from a failure to focus on who God is and what He has done. When we think of the goodness of Jesus and what He's done for us, we will respond with a life of praise.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 11, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Obedience to the "Heavenly Vision"
I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision -Acts 26:19


If we lose "the heavenly vision" God has given us, we alone are responsible- not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest- our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God's vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life- sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.

"Though it tarries, wait for it . . ." (Habakkuk 2:3). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that "tarries" is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul's welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.

Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don't go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will "bear much fruit" (John 15:.

It is essential that we live and "walk in the light" of God's vision for us (1 John 1:7).
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Liberty!

Look at Isaiah 30:21,

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

The idea this verse is conveying is that if you get off-course with God, He is going to let you know you are making a wrong decision or a wrong turn.

The Living Bible puts it this way,  And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a voice behind you say, "Not this way.  Walk here."

What I have come to realize is that you and I have far greater liberty within the parameters of God's will than I previously thought.

It is important that you stay open and keep things laid out before God.  But I have discovered, as I said, that we have far greater liberty than I previously thought.  Let me give you an example.

Not long ago, my wife and I were very seriously considering selling our house and moving.  Real estate had gone up so much that the equity in our house had more than doubled since we bought it.  So we got to thinking that it might be a good time for us to move.

I did not have a word from God about moving.  But I just know God well enough to know that I could make a decision like that.  If I was getting into an area where we were going to make a mistake, God would let me know!

Some people get so uptight about everything.  But as long as you stay open to God, you can make those kinds of decisions, because He will be there to direct you if indeed you are making a mistake.

That is true liberty!


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Read: Ezra 7
Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD. - Ezra 7:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
The explorer David Livingstone was commissioned by the Royal Geographical Society as Her Majesty's Consul for the East Coast of Africa. The British authorities hoped that Livingstone's discoveries would benefit their trading access and acquisitions, but Livingstone had spiritual interests, not just geographic ones. A committed Christian, he believed that his gifts as an explorer could aid the spread of missions work in Africa. And in fact, his work opened up much of central Africa to missionaries who opened schools, founded hospitals, and shared the gospel.
Sometimes God works both through the tainted motives of rulers and the talents of His followers, to accomplish His will. Today's passage introduces Ezra, and we learn something significant about worldly and godly leadership.

This text opens with the phrase, "After these things" (v. 1). The Persian Empire left a tremendous historical record, and most scholars conclude that the phrase captures a time lapse of some fifty years between chapters 6 and 7. As we transition to Ezra's ministry, we read of his godly heritage, verifying that he was a legitimate priest from Aaron's line (vv. 1-5).

Ezra certainly didn't coast on his family background. His commitment to the Word of the Lord is repeated several times: he was "well versed in the Law," and he "had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law" (vv. 6, 10). He was respected by the king, blessed by God, and dedicated to knowing and following the Lord's teaching.

The commission by Artaxerxes reveals the provision for the work in Jerusalem that we've seen several times from the Persian kings. And Artaxerxes, like Darius, was motivated by his own self-interest. He wanted protection from every deity he thought he could please (v. 23). Worldly leadership views power as how much stuff it controls-how much money, how many people, or how many weapons. But Ezra wasn't deceived by worldly leadership. He knew the source of his protection; he knew that ultimately God worked through this Persian leader to accomplish His own will (vv. 27-28).
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APPLY THE WORD
Ezra understood that godly leadership is submission to the call of God. Therefore he could say, "I took courage" (v. 28). No matter what your gifts and talents are, you have been called to serve the Lord. And where God has called, He will also provide. That means that you can serve with confidence. Have you resisted "taking courage" because you were distracted by worldly leaders? Focus on what God has given you instead, knowing that no service for Him will be wasted.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 14, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
Yielding
. . . you are that one's slaves whom you obey . . . -Romans 6:16


The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.

If a child gives in to selfishness, he will find it to be the most enslaving tyranny on earth. There is no power within the human soul itself that is capable of breaking the bondage of the nature created by yielding. For example, yield for one second to anything in the nature of lust, and although you may hate yourself for having yielded, you become enslaved to that thing. (Remember what lust is- "I must have it now," whether it is the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.) No release or escape from it will ever come from any human power, but only through the power of redemption. You must yield yourself in utter humiliation to the only One who can break the dominating power in your life, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. ". . . He has anointed Me . . . to proclaim liberty to the captives . . ." (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1).

When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, "Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like," you will know you can't. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it. It is easy to sing, "He will break every fetter," while at the same time living a life of obvious slavery to yourself. But yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in any person's life.
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The Prerequisite of Prayer

In yesterday's devotional, I shared that God's priority is to see people come to know Him.  Today, I want to give you the first of the five "P"s of evangelism, which I hope will encourage you as you seek to share your faith.

The Scripture is 1 Timothy 2:1-6,

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

I want you to notice verse 4 in particular:  God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  He wants them saved and discipled.

As Jesus said, "Go into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, and make disciples of all nations."  Those are our two main jobs.  Proclaim the gospel to see people get saved, and then disciple them.  God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

But did you notice that verse 1 preceded verse 4?  Verse 1 says, Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.  Verse 4 will not and cannot happen until verse 1 happens.  First there is prayer, then comes sharing the plan of salvation.

We must first talk to God about men before we talk to men about God.  We cannot be successful unless we talk to God about men first. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read: Ezra 10
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
The old saying quips that you can't be a leader if nobody follows you. So part of the question of leadership is How do you get people to follow you? Different leaders have tried different tactics. Authoritarian rulers rely on exerting power to mandate obedience. Some bosses manipulate employees with a mixture of threats and bribes. And probably nearly every parent has at one time told a child to follow "Because I said so!"
Ezra demonstrates that spiritual leadership provides a different model for why people will follow: the power and conviction of a godly example. Notice in our passage that the national repentance that transpired was not instigated by Ezra's decree, insistence, manipulation, or threat. Instead, while he wept and prayed at the temple, the people noticed and were spiritually moved (v. 1).

Shecaniah spoke for the people in admitting their culpability for the sin of intermarriage with the pagan women. He also understood a key spiritual truth: "We have been unfaithful to our God. . . . But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel" (v. 2). He encouraged Ezra to take the bold step of a public assembly, with confession and restitution. Ezra responded the way he had when confronted with the challenge of leaving Persia without the king's troops for protection-he fasted and prayed and trusted the Lord (vv. 4-6).

The gravity of the assembly was emphasized by the penalty for failure to attend (v. . Although not every Jewish man had married a heathen wife, the standing of the entire community before God was at stake. In case the situation was not bad enough, the weather captured the dreary circumstances as it poured rain on the gathered nation (vv. 9, 13). Ezra's proclamation here was brief: he explained their sin and what they must do to remedy their disobedience.

"The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: 'You are right! We must do as you say' " (v. 12). Ezra's godly example gave him the authority to instruct the people on repentance and restitution before God. The people agreed to reject their idolatrous marriages, and within a few weeks they had complied with the instructions.
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Ezra's leadership included humility, courage, and, above all, a commitment to know and obey God. This spiritual leadership transforms others and inspires them to seek God more faithfully. Certainly, church leaders should have these qualities; but even if you aren't ordained or hired by a Christian ministry, you can still affect others with your example of love for God and your trust in Him. Your prayers can be some of your most powerful tools of spiritual leadership.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 15, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
The Discipline of Dismay
As they followed they were afraid -Mark 10:32


At the beginning of our life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him. It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before Him in a fearless statement of love. But now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is far ahead of us and is beginning to seem different and unfamiliar- "Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed" (Mark 10:32).

There is an aspect of Jesus that chills even a disciple's heart to its depth and makes his entire spiritual life gasp for air. This unusual Person with His face set "like a flint" (Isaiah 50:7) is walking with great determination ahead of me, and He strikes terror right through me. He no longer seems to be my Counselor and Friend and has a point of view about which I know nothing. All I can do is stand and stare at Him in amazement. At first I was confident that I understood Him, but now I am not so sure. I begin to realize that there is a distance between Jesus and me and I can no longer be intimate with Him. I have no idea where He is going, and the goal has become strangely distant.

Jesus Christ had to understand fully every sin and sorrow that human beings could experience, and that is what makes Him seem unfamiliar. When we see this aspect of Him, we realize we really don't know Him. We don't recognize even one characteristic of His life, and we don't know how to begin to follow Him. He is far ahead of us, a Leader who seems totally unfamiliar, and we have no friendship with Him.

The discipline of dismay is an essential lesson which a disciple must learn. The danger is that we tend to look back on our times of obedience and on our past sacrifices to God in an effort to keep our enthusiasm for Him strong (see Isaiah 1:10-11). But when the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come the ability to follow Jesus truly, which brings inexpressibly wonderful joy.
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Turning Desire into Prayer

I want to follow up yesterday's devotional by turning your attention to something I believe is very profound.  It is Romans 10:1, where Paul states,

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

It is important to pray that people be saved.  In fact, I want you to notice how Paul turned his desire into a prayer.

I think if I were to ask any believer, "Do you desire your family to be saved?" they would say yes.  Or, "Do you desire your friends to be saved?" they would answer yes.  Or, "Do you desire your coworkers to be saved?" they would reply yes.

Well, that is great.  That is to be commended, but it is not enough.  Your desire must be turned into a prayer.  It is not enough just to have a desire that they be saved.  That desire has to translate into prayer.  Prayer that they may be saved.

It's all right to pray generally, but it is better to pray specifically.  I encourage you to make a list of every unsaved person in your life.  Start with the network of relationships that already exist in your life.  Make a list of family members, friends, and associates who are not saved, and then do your best to pray for the people on that list every day.

Most Christians genuinely desire for folks to be saved, but not all Christians pray for the salvation of people that they love.  And even fewer pray for the salvation of folks that they work with.

Turn your desire for the unsaved people in your life to be saved into prayer for their salvation.  And start today.
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Read: Nehemiah 1
I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 1:4

TODAY IN THE WORD
Memoirs have become a best-selling category of books. People love to read behind-the-scenes accounts from politicians and military leaders. Stories of overcoming dramatic obstacles in life enchant others. And some people just enjoy reading a well-written personal narrative about another person's inner thoughts and feelings.
The book of Nehemiah, which is primarily a memoir of his time in Jerusalem, contains all of these elements of a captivating memoir. His story begins 13 years after the last events recounted in the book of Ezra.

The first thing we find about the Jewish people who returned from exile is distressing, and Nehemiah reacted with the kind of heartfelt passion as if his own home had been vandalized (vv. 1-4). From the very beginning of this book, we see that a godly leader identifies himself with God's people and doesn't stay at a distance from their struggles and pain.

Next, Nehemiah demonstrated the proper action in response to spiritual crisis. Nehemiah responded with mourning, fasting, and praying (see Ezra 9-10). This introduces a theme running throughout this memoir: Nehemiah's reliance on God and the priority of prayer. As we'll see, Nehemiah was a confident, successful, talented man-but he exercised his gifts and talents out of a dependence on God, committing himself to seeking God first.

Nehemiah's prayer in this passage gives us a peek inside the spiritual life of a godly leader. The prayer begins with an acknowledgment of who God is ("great and awesome") and what He does ("keeps his covenant of love," v. 5). Next, Nehemiah showed spiritual insight by recognizing that the condition of the walls of Jerusalem reflected the spiritual condition of the Israelites. He acknowledged that both personal and corporate sins had broken the clear command of God (vv. 6-9).

Finally, Nehemiah didn't view prayer as an excuse not to follow up with action. He had confessed and committed the matter to the Lord. Now he committed himself to act on behalf of his disgraced and distressed people (v. 10).

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APPLY THE WORD
Nehemiah provides example of prayer and action. We might be tempted to act in a situation without first committing it to the Lord. We might also be tempted to pray but then refuse to follow up with action. Spend time in prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to prompt your heart for any issues you need to confess or petition. Use the model of Nehemiah's prayer to shape your own words. Then follow through on any actions you need to take, especially on behalf of others who are hurting.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 16, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     
The Master Will Judge
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ . . . -2 Corinthians 5:10


Paul says that we must all, preachers and other people alike, "appear before the judgment seat of Christ." But if you will learn here and now to live under the scrutiny of Christ's pure light, your final judgment will bring you only delight in seeing the work God has done in you. Live constantly reminding yourself of the judgment seat of Christ, and walk in the knowledge of the holiness He has given you. Tolerating a wrong attitude toward another person causes you to follow the spirit of the devil, no matter how saintly you are. One carnal judgment of another person only serves the purposes of hell in you. Bring it immediately into the light and confess, "Oh, Lord, I have been guilty there." If you don't, your heart will become hardened through and through. One of the penalties of sin is our acceptance of it. It is not only God who punishes for sin, but sin establishes itself in the sinner and takes its toll. No struggling or praying will enable you to stop doing certain things, and the penalty of sin is that you gradually get used to it, until you finally come to the place where you no longer even realize that it is sin. No power, except the power that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit, can change or prevent the inherent consequences of sin.

"If we walk in the light as He is in the light. . ." (1 John 1:7). For many of us, walking in the light means walking according to the standard we have set up for another person. The deadliest attitude of the Pharisees that we exhibit today is not hypocrisy but that which comes from unconsciously living a lie.
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How to Pray for the Unsaved

In the last two devotionals, I have stressed the importance of praying for the unsaved people in our lives to be saved.  Today, I want to give you four ways you can pray for them:

1.      Pray for openness and understanding.  Acts 16:14 says the Lord opened the heart of Lydia to heed the things spoken by Paul.  Paul was speaking the gospel.  And if the Lord can open Lydia's heart, He can open your Aunt Mildred's heart.

2.      Pray that God would send laborers to them.  In Luke 10:2 Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  I am confident that God will answer any prayer He has commanded us to pray, and this prayer is not a suggestion.  Jesus commanded us to pray that God would send out laborers into the harvest.

3.      Pray that God will visit them and reveal Himself to them.  I do not know of a specific promise in the Bible where it says God is going to visit someone in a dream or give them a vision.  But I do see in Scripture where God reveals Himself to people in such ways, like Saul of Tarsus, who, on the Damascus Road, had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved.

4.      Pray for personal direction and for personal opportunities to share.  Jesus, in Luke 10:2 said, "The harvest is great, laborers are few.  Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest."  In the next verse Jesus said, "Behold, I send you."  You can become the answer to your own prayer!

So pray for the unsaved people in your life, and do not stop praying until they get saved.
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Read: Nehemiah 2:1-10
Then I prayed to the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 2:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
The kings of Persia demanded absolute obedience and deference. The father of King Artaxerxes, Xerxes the Great, is a major character in the book of Esther, and a central drama swirls over whether he will permit her to live once she commits the capital offense of approaching his throne unbidden. Artaxerxes himself murdered two of his brothers in asserting his claim to the throne-and according to the ancient historian Plutarch, he was considered one of the gentlest Persian kings!
As cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah had daily, immediate access to Artaxerxes. The position required the king's full trust, and it also meant that Nehemiah was responsible for the king's safety from any who might try to tamper with his wine (1:11-2:1). In keeping with the protocol to please the king, Nehemiah always had a pleasant demeanor. But he could not hide his grief at the news from Jerusalem (v. 2).

The conversation between Artaxerxes and Nehemiah offers several insights into the right way to approach the throne of men and the throne of God. First, Nehemiah displayed the appropriate respect to the king (vv. 3, 7). We might not like our mayor, or president, or boss, but we do not have license to be disrespectful to those in leadership positions (see Rom. 13:1).

Second, Nehemiah placed his ultimate trust in God, not the king. Notice the brief, millisecond prayer that he offers before answering the king in verse 4. Even as he prepared to make a bold request that could change his life, he sought to place himself under the authority of the Lord. Nehemiah also credited God with the favorable response from the king: "Because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests" (v. .

Finally, when the Lord opened a door of opportunity for Nehemiah to make a difference, he was willing to walk through boldly. He requested the king's permission to rebuild Jerusalem, then asked for letters of protection, and then petitioned the king for materials from his own forest (vv. 5-9). Nehemiah understood that God can work through anyone-even a Persian king-to accomplish His will.

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APPLY THE WORD
God can use Artaxerxes, Nehemiah, and you! He has put you where you are for a reason. Nehemiah might have been a cupbearer for years before this moment came. When it did, Nehemiah was prepared because of his relationship with God through prayer. If you are waiting to see what God will do, you can prepare by cultivating your prayer life. If God has shown you the opportunity to make a difference for His kingdom, take it boldly, for His gracious hand is on you!

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 17, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers     

The Servant's Primary Goal
We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him -2 Corinthians 5:9


We make it our aim. . . ." It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only "to be well pleasing to Him." It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor.

Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being "approved to God" (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest . . . I myself should become disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27).

I must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?
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The Power of Your Presence

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16,

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."     

The way you let your light shine is just being yourself around people.  Witness everywhere you go through your life, and use words, if necessary.

You can sow seeds just by showing people that you are real.  Some people call it friendship evangelism:  being a genuine friend, touchable, genuinely caring for people, just letting your light shine.

Jesus also said you are a city set on a hill.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nobody lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.  You and I are to live a life that brightly shines the gospel to the unsaved.

I read a story years ago about a guy who had his doorbell hooked up to a big buzzer in the back room.  The buzzer was really loud.  He wanted to change it and put a light there instead that would illuminate when somebody pushed the doorbell.  So he rigged it up to do just that.

The problem was the light would barely illuminate.  He could not figure out what was wrong, so he called an electrician friend.  His friend looked at it and told him, "Oh, you don't understand.  It takes more power to shine than it does to make noise."

That is very true.  Jesus said, "Let your light shine."  Without having to necessarily confront people, they will just notice something different about you.  If you are walking with God, it is reflected in your attitude, your work ethic, and your countenance.  It is a discernable difference that will lead some people to ask about your faith.  You will be able to sow seeds just with your presence.
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Read: Nehemiah 2:11-20
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. - Philippians 1:6

TODAY IN THE WORD
When Justin Smith was appointed president of the Atlantic Media Company in 2007, one of his biggest challenges was trying to restore profitability to The Atlantic, one of the oldest magazines in the United States. The losses were around $7 million each year, and Mr. Smith immediately upended the conventional wisdom about magazine management, and as a result of his changes The Atlantic now nets nearly $2 million in profit, an impressive feat in a difficult publishing environment.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he needed to upend the conventional wisdom about how to rebuild and protect the city. He began by personally inspecting the damaged walls and gates (vv. 11-16). He did not immediately announce himself and demand to be in charge, nor did he start giving orders without first assessing the situation.

After taking time to review that crumbling wall and burned gates, he met with the Jewish officials. Notice the content of his inspiring pep talk. First, Nehemiah appealed to their honor as the people of God: "we will no longer be in disgrace" (v. 17). He knew that the disrepair of Jerusalem reflected poorly on the relationship between the people and God.

Then, Nehemiah informed the officials about God's hand of protection and provision (v. 18). He could already testify to God opening a door for him to speak to the king and secure supplies. That testimony of God's hand in the past would be vitally important as they faced challenges in the future. Knowing that God had led Nehemiah this far was a tremendous encouragement for the officials.

Finally, Nehemiah assured them that Artaxerxes had authorized this project (v. 18). This became immediately relevant when Sanballat and Tobiah (whom we'll examine in more detail later) challenged the rebuilding project: "Are you rebelling against the king?" (v. 19). Nehemiah and the Jewish officials could declare that they had the king's permission-and what's more, they were obeying God (v. 20). They responded: "Let us start rebuilding!" (v. 18).
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APPLY THE WORD
Many churches have done away with time in the service for people to share testimonies of what God has done. Hearing those stories can be important reminders of how God has worked and an encouragement that He will be faithful to His people (see Phil. 1:6). Perhaps your Sunday school class or small group could take some time to share about "the gracious hand of my God." Use the time to give the glory to God for the specific ways He has led and sustained you.

GOD BLESS!