God Speaks

Have you ever wished you knew what God was thinking or what he was planning? Does it seem as though you are meandering through life without a clue? Would you like to know if you are following God’s path for you?

Despite what we are often told, we can know what God wants us to do in this life, at least in part. However, to know this we must submit to him and seek him out. It is only difficult for us to do so because we do not want to give up our own desires.

God has a plan for each one of us. We do not know what his plan is. We cannot know what his plan is fully. But we can know what the next step is. Sometimes, we may even know the next two or three steps. How, you may ask. Our spirit must be in tune with His Spirit.

To be in tune with God’s Spirit is simple but challenging. We must give ourselves fully to him. We must be willing to follow his guidance and direction. We often hear people testify they hit rock bottom and only then were they able to hear God speaking to them. Make no mistake about it, there are no burning bushes or loud booming voices. Instead, it is the small, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit. We may even mistakenly refer to it as intuition.

God still speaks to his people today. He does so quietly. He speaks more often than we might think. His voice is quiet, maybe only a mere whisper. To hear him, we must first submit to him and then listen attentively for him to speak.

I pray we all submit to God and his plan. I pray we listen attentively for God to speak to us. I pray each one of us will ask God to help us put our spirit in tune with His Spirit. Submit to God. Know he has a plan for you. Seek to know God. Listen for God to speak. Be willing to follow God’s guidance and direction.

1 Corinthians 2:10b-11 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Hope Without Question

What are your hopes? Do you hope in this life for things that you are not sure will happen? Would you like to hope for something with certainty? Do you know you can?

We hear people hope for any number of things. They may hope to find a good mate. They may hope to buy a house. They may hope for a better job. They may hope their children do well.

Those of us who hope in the Lord have a hope of certainty. Our hope is one filled with confidence. Our hope can never be taken from us as long as we continue to trust in Jesus. And why shouldn’t we trust in Him?

Paul tells the Roman church that we can never be separated from the love of God. What a wonderful thing! Knowing that God always loves us, and his love cannot be taken away boosts our hope with confidence.

Knowing that we are conquerors through Jesus Christ bolsters our hope. Because of what Christ did for us, we have conquered death, just as He has. We can rest assured the future for us is not only bright but will be an eternity in God’s presence.

It is a comforting thought knowing that nothing in all creation can ever separate us from God’s love for us. He has proven his love for us through the gift given by Jesus Christ.

I pray we all stand firm in our hope. I pray we grasp that God’s love for us is unending. I pray each one of us see ourselves as conquerors in Jesus Christ. Hope with confidence. Know that God loves you. Hope in the Lord. Know your future is bright. Look toward eternity with God.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Purity Through Hope

What does purity mean to you? Does it mean there are no faults? Is it one hundred percent composed of one component without defect? Are there gradations of purity? Do you view yourself as being pure?

We may remember commercials advertising pure cane sugar. We might look at a bottle of water to see if it’s pure spring water. Diamonds are rated by both size and the purity of the stone. But people who are pure are a rare find.

Why is it so hard to find someone who is pure? Perhaps it is we are not putting our hope in Jesus Christ. We see in today’s passage that when we put our hope in Him, we are purified. In other words, the more we hope in Him, the more we put our faith in Him, the more we learn about Him, the more we choose to follow His example and teachings, the purer we become.

That’s a bit scary, isn’t it? Our actions, attitudes, and language are an outward display of our hope in Jesus. You see, putting our hope in Jesus is not merely wishing on a shooting star. It is an active hope that continues to pursue being like Him. Our hope is combined with our knowledge, faith, and trust in Him. Therefore, as our hope becomes stronger, we are purified to be more like Him.

I pray we all choose to put our hope in Jesus. I pray we choose to strengthen our faith and hope. I pray each one of us desire to be purified and become more like our Savior. Hope in Jesus. Put your faith in Jesus. Learn more about Him. Choose to follow Him. Become pure as He is pure.

1 John 3:2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hopein him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Born for a Purpose

Have you ever thought someone was born for a specific purpose? Have you been told you were born for a specific purpose? Do you envy people who have a talent you wish you had? Do you wish you had a grand purpose for your life?

We have all seen someone whom we believe was born to do what they are doing. It may be an especially talented sports star. It may be a leader in the company we work for. It may be our favorite author. It may be a pastor in the church.

Maybe you have been told you were born to do something specific. As a child, I loved baseball and played it as much as I could. I had one aunt who used to say I was born with a ball and glove in my hands. Though I never played in the upper levels, I continue to love the game.

God does knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He grants us specific talents for a purpose. He has created each one of us to carry out a portion of his plan. Each person is a piece of the puzzle that completes God’s picture.

Jesus was also born to a specific purpose. He came to teach, preach, and heal. We continue to read His teachings still today. He came to reconcile us with God by being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He came to give us hope of spending eternity with God. Through His sacrifice we are given salvation. He is worthy of our trust.

I pray we all realize Jesus was born for a purpose. I pray we know our purpose is to serve God. I pray each one of us put our faith in Jesus and hold onto the hope of eternity. Know you were born for a purpose. Understand Jesus’ purpose. Put your faith in Jesus. Hold onto your hope. Trust God has a plan.

1 Peter 1:20-21 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Hope and Promises

Have you been promised something that you never received? Were you disappointed when the promise was broken? Have you made a promise you cannot fulfill? Were you ashamed you could not deliver it?

We often make promises with the full intention of fulfilling them. But sometimes an interruption occurs that prohibits us from fulfilling a promise. Broken promises affect both the one who made the promise and the one to whom the promise was made.

Promises are viewed with nearly the same importance as a contract. In some cases, a promise is equivalent to a contract. I can remember being told as a child to honor your word. In other words, keep your promises. A person gains trust by keeping their promises.

There are promises we can count on. Those promises are made by God. He made promises in the Old Testament that were fulfilled. Some fulfilled as God led the Israelites out of captivity. Others were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus made promises during His ministry that we can read in the New Testament. Some of those promises are yet to be fulfilled, but we can count on them in the same way the Israelites did with God’s previous promises.

Knowing God has and will fulfill his promises puts confidence in our hope. What is our hope? It is the promise that God will execute justice and we will spend eternity with him. Our hope is not a foolish hope but is based on the promises of God—promises we can count on.

I pray we all hold onto our hope in God. I pray we know that God fulfills his promises. I pray each one of us know God’s promises and they strengthen our hope in him. Know God’s promises. Trust God’s promises. God fulfills his promises. Strengthen your hope. Hold onto your hope.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

God’s Plan for Your Future

What are your plans for your life? Do you have it all mapped out for the next five, ten, twenty, or fifty years? Does your plan include professional goals with regular promotions? Is God included in your plan? Have you sought God’s plan for your life?

We make plans. We make plans for vacations months in advance. We make plans for our education. We make plans for purchasing a home. We make plans to get married. We make plans for a rewarding profession, one that we are interested in.

I have never been one to plan several years in advance, at least not in detail. I am more apt to plan by setting general goals. For example, I refinanced my home as a ten-year loan with the goal to pay it off earlier, if possible. But I never planned out my career, simply believing that if I did a good job, I would be promoted.

When it came to moving into ministry, my original plan was to be a part-time pastor serving small, country churches while continuing my other profession. I saw the lack of pastors, had taken a spiritual gifts survey, and had seen that I had a handful of gifts that would benefit me as a pastor. I was also encouraged by a few key people to go into ministry.

God had bigger plans for my ministry efforts. His planned included me leaving my other profession and going into full-time ministry. Thankfully, both my wife and I were praying, listening, and observing what God was doing in our lives as we went through this transition. The key to all of it was we trusted God had a plan and were willing to follow it.

God has a plan for each one of us. When we are willing to follow his plan, we experience the best of God’s blessings. That does not always include financial gain, but it does include blessings we do not expect. We cannot always see very far down the road. We must trust God and take the next step that he has illuminated for us. It can be a little scary. Yet when we trust God, he removes our fear and grants us peace.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s plan for our lives. I pray we pray, listen, and observe what he is doing in our lives. I pray each one of us puts our hope and trust that God will provide for our future. Seek God’s plan for you. Pray. Listen. Observe. Trust God. Put your hope in him.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Image of God

Have you ever wondered what God looks like? Do you have an image of him in your head? Does that image look a lot like father time? Ever wonder why you were created? Have you wondered why anything was created?

If we have been in the church for any significant amount of time, you have likely seen depictions of God the Father and God the Son. Those images will look dramatically different. One is looks more like a grandfather and the other like a man in his prime years.

Though none of us know with any certainty what God the Father looks like, we have a better idea of what Jesus might look like. He was born as a Jew. He likely had dark hair, olive skin, and physical features of a Jewish man. At the time He was born, He probably only grew to be a little more than five feet tall, as that was the average height of a Jewish man in the first century.

When the Apostle Paul says that Jesus is the image of God, he is not talking about the physical features. Paul is telling us of His compassion, grace, mercy, and love. He is telling us about how Jesus interacted and treated other people. The physical features are irrelevant.

Paul also tells us of the power of the Son. He states that all things were created through Him and for Him. That means that each one of us were created through the Son and each one of us were created for Him. You want to know your purpose? It is to honor and serve Jesus. He has authority over you and every other person created.

I pray we all see Jesus as the image of God. I pray we recognize Him as the Creator of all things. I pray each one of us will choose to honor and serve Jesus, recognizing His authority. See Jesus for who He is. Recognize Jesus’ authority. Honor Jesus. Serve Jesus. Know that He created you.

Colossians 1:15-16 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Victory in Jesus

Are you in the midst of struggle? Does it feel as though you are in the middle of a lake and all you can do is tread water? Are you longing to overcome your current circumstances? Are you fighting for a victory? Do you know help is available?

Daily life can be a struggle. It has become more difficult due to the effects of the pandemic. Lives were disrupted. Isolation was the start. Reduced supplies and resources contributed. Higher prices due to supply and demand has made it worse.

Some have turned to drugs and alcohol for temporary relief from their worry and anxiety. Others have delved in rampant sinful behavior. Still others have used it as an excuse to walk away from the church and fellowship with followers of Jesus.

Unfortunately, when seeking relief through worldly possessions, behaviors, and beliefs will not bring the victory we all seek. Only faith in Jesus can bring the ultimate victory. Our faith in Him and obedience of His commands bring us the victory we desire over these disruptions.

Does that mean everything suddenly becomes rosy? No. It does mean our mental and spiritual well-being improves and continues to improve as we continue to follow Him. It means our perspective changes. Our attitude changes. We become content. We are peaceful. We come to realize the negatives of this world are nothing when compared to the wonders of eternity.

Through Jesus we overcome the sin of this world. We overcome the desire to pursue selfish outcomes. We achieve victory in this life and for all eternity through our faith in Jesus. Victory in Jesus our Savior, the Son of God.

I pray we all turn to Jesus for the victory we desire. I pray we put our faith in Him. I pray each one of us will seek to overcome our sinful nature through Jesus. Be an overcomer. Achieve victory. Be a victor. Set aside your selfishness. Improve your well-being. Change your perspective. Put your faith in Jesus. Trust Him at all times.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Go, Make Disciples

What does it mean to make a disciple? Have you ever pondered that? Would you like to make a disciple? Are you willing to do as Jesus commanded? Will you tell the story of Jesus?

Making disciples can seem a bit challenging. We may wonder how to go about starting the conversation. We may be hesitant to talk to someone about Jesus. Especially if it is a family member we know is obstinate.

Rather than worrying about how to start the conversation, listen. Listen for a question concerning how you get through difficult times, then tell them you rely on God—his wisdom, guidance, and strength.

Listen for a question about your cheerful attitude, then tell them you have joy because of your belief in God. Tell them your joy is everlasting and cannot be taken away from you.

Listen for a question about your success, then tell them your success is due to God’s blessing you with the right skills and following His plan for your life.

As we listen to others, we will find opportunities to speak about God. The key is to listen intently. Pick up the questions, even if they are only implied. It is often by listening that we learn about the other person and can respond appropriately.

I pray we all listen for opportunities to speak about God. I pray we are ready to tell others how God has impacted our lives. I pray each one of us will go make disciples every chance we can. Be a disciple. Listen attentively. Respond appropriately. Tell your story. Tell the gospel story. Make disciples.

Matthew 28:19-20a Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

The Greatest Impact

Do you long to know when specific things will happen? Would like to know when time will end? Do you want to know what your task in life is until then? Are you ready to carry out the most important task of your life…and perhaps for many others?

Some in this world believe the end times are coming soon. Many want to know when they will come. Others want to know what the purpose of their life is. But so many of them do not really want to know but want to know their own plan is the right plan.

Knowing can be powerful. Knowing can also be frightening. Seeking knowledge can be a lifelong quest. Understanding the meaning of knowledge can be an even larger quest. Knowledge without wisdom is not worth much. Wisdom only comes from one place.

When we are told our purpose in life is to know God and to tell others about him, we balk at it. We think our purpose should be something grand. We want it to be doing something great. We want to climb the corporate ladder. We want to have a positive impact on people via good works.

The greatest work we can do is to know who Jesus is, believe in Him, and tell others about Him. It is the most positive impact we can have on anyone. To convince someone else that they need Jesus as their Lord and Savior is the most wonderful and greatest impact we can have on someone.

I pray we all choose to know more about God. I pray we decide to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. I pray each one of us will choose to have a positive impact on others by telling them about Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Accept Him as Lord and Savior. Choose to tell others about Him. Have the greatest impact on people possible.

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”