Living Within

Have you ever had two bosses at the same time? If so, how did it work out when they gave you conflicting instruction? Did you feel as though you were caught in the middle? Were you frustrated and wondering which one to obey?

Having two bosses can be very frustrating. Especially if they are continually giving us contradicting instructions, or they both want us to complete their tasks first. It can bring us to the brink of wanting to throw our hands up and give up.

We may not have two bosses in the same job. Perhaps we are working two part-time jobs or a full-time job and a part-time job. Scheduling time at both jobs can be challenging. Which one gets priority? How do we handle it when both jobs have us scheduled to work the same time?

This is the same point Jesus was making in today’s passage. Serving God and money is frustrating and contradictory. We cannot be continually stiving after the almighty dollar and serve God as He has commanded us. We will give one a higher priority over the other.

Far too often, we put the pursuit of more money ahead of serving God. When we do, we feel dissatisfied. So, we strive to make more money. As we strive harder, make a little more, we feel good momentarily. But it is short lived, and we work ever harder.

When we choose to serve God first, we are at peace. We trust God to provide for our needs. We learn we don’t need what money can buy but need the peace that goes beyond understanding. We don’t go without, we go within—within God’s will for our lives.

I pray we all see the challenge in serving two masters. I pray we choose to serve God. I pray each one of us will seek the peace that goes beyond understanding over the almighty dollar. Choose your master. Seek the peace of God. Trust God to provide. Live within God’s will.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Unchanging Jesus

Are longing for consistency? Are you looking for solid footing in the midst of unceasing change? Do you look for someone you can count on in the middle of the storm? Do you know there is someone who can be your rock and never changes?

We wake up each morning wondering what change will happen today. We make plans and wonder if they will come to fruition. It seems each day brings on a new challenge. A new twist is thrown our way and we must adapt or determine a way around it.

We are faced with an ever-changing world, an ever-changing environment. New disruptions occur, if not daily, at least weekly. Reflect for just a moment on all the changes you have seen over the past few months. We can think of several within the blink of an eye.

We may think of the rising cost of living, protests against this or that, an ongoing war, hungry children, a vehicle that needs unexpected repairs, or changes being made within our professions. The list seems to be never ending when we spend a little time thinking about it.

There is One we can count on to be consistent day after day. He has been the same for thousands of years, He is the same today, and he will be the same forever. Jesus is the same. His message has not changed. His example has not changed. His expectations have not changed.

His message is a message of love. It is a message of respect. It is a message of obedience. It is a message of eternal glory. His expectation is to follow Him, follow His example. Jesus has not commanded us to do anything He did not do Himself.

I pray we all rely on Jesus to be our perfect example. I pray we decide to follow Him. I pray each one of us will hold on to Him as our rock in the storm and as our unchanging Savior. Look to Jesus for stability. Seek to know Him. Follow His example. Obey His teachings. Know He is the same throughout history and eternity.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Trust Jesus

Do you ever wonder who Jesus really is? Have ever questioned what you have in Him? Do you wonder how things will turn out in the end? Are you putting your trust in God? Or are you putting your trust in people?

I believe we all experience times of doubt. We ask ourselves if what we believe is true. And there is nothing wrong with that. It is by exploring our doubts, digging deeper into the truth, that our knowledge, belief, and faith are increased.

As a word of encouragement to alleviate the doubts of the Corinthian church, Paul writes the below passage. He quotes from Job first, then from Psalms. He informs them that God knows everything, and He catches the wise.

He goes on to tell the Corinthians to stop boasting about their human leaders. Why? Corinth was one of the leading cities of political debate and Gnosticism. In other words, a leading city of human thought. There were debates for entertainment purposes.

But Paul tells the church they have everything. It is all theirs. And he reminds them that Christ is God. Sometimes we forget that. We get wrapped up in this world, its worries, and moment by moment tasks. We strive to complete the list of tasks as long as our arm. We forget that one day none of that will matter. Christ has already conquered it all. He has promised us an eternal life with Him. He has promised no more worries, no more tears, only the bliss of being in God’s presence.

I pray we all remember Christ is God. I pray we remember He has conquered this world. I pray each of us look forward to spending eternity with Him in the new, perfect world with new heavens. Christ is God. Christ has conquered. Christ is victorious. Put your faith in Him. Be confident of your future.

1 Corinthians 3:19-23 As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Be Confident In God’s Plan

Have you ever had a thought you believed came from God, but then thought it was outlandish? Have you heard a calling from God, but thought there was no way it could ever happen?

I must confess, I have. About ten years ago or perhaps a little more, I heard God telling me He wanted me to be a pastor. Now, do not misunderstand, God did not speak to me in a booming voice, but a voice within my head. My first thought was, “Well, there’s no way that is happening. I’m in the wrong place.” Little did I know at the time that God was going to move me to the right place to fulfill His plan for me. Six years ago, I moved from Virginia to Illinois.

God puts us where He wants us to fulfill His plan, if we are willing to follow Him. Make no mistake about it, I wanted to be a pastor. I wanted to follow God’s plan. I just didn’t see any way for it to come about based on my circumstances at the time.

Sarah was in the same spot. She was beyond childbearing age. Logic told her she would never have any children. God had other plans and He fulfilled them.

What is God calling you to that you believe is impossible? I’m sure God has a plan for you, just as He had (and has) a plan for me. To experience God at work in our lives we must be willing to follow His plan. We may not always see it from where we are at, but God knows exactly what He is doing.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s plan for our lives. I pray we set aside human logic and believe God knows what He is doing. I pray each one of us listen for God’s calling on our lives. Follow God’s plan. Hear his quiet voice. Set aside human logic. Listen for His call.

Genesis 18:13-14 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Trust and Receive More

Are you a trusting person? When you trust someone, do you expect trust in return? Do you expect something other than or more than trust? What if you could get more than trust? Would you be willing to trust to get more in return?

Trusting someone else, especially with our entire being can be challenging. Putting our lives in someone else’s hands is tough to do. We typically only see that in our military or emergency responder forces. In their case, there isn’t much choice.

Trusting anyone in today’s culture is challenging. We likely only trust close family members, and maybe only a few of them, and our very close friends. We are cautious. Very cautious. We no longer inherently trust someone until proven wrong. Now, we trust no one until they have earned our trust.

Yet, there is someone we can trust. We can trust God. Not only can we trust Him, but when we do trust Him, we get more than just trust in return. We receive joy and peace. God is willing to give us joy. Joy that is not fleeting, but true joy that never fails. He is willing to give us peace. Peace that goes beyond understanding.

Don’t we all want unending joy and everlasting peace? Sure we do. But we don’t get it from things, nor do we get it from selfish pursuits. We can only receive it when we trust God with everything. When we trust God with our lives and our livelihood.

I pray we all desire joy and peace. I pray we trust God with our entire being. I pray each one of us chooses to put our trust in God—our lives and our livelihood. Seek joy. Seek peace. Trust God. Receive His blessings. Receive His wondrous gifts.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Last Resort

Have you asked God to do something amazing? Have you told others you are relying on God? Have they laughed at you? Have they laughed at God? Have you laughed, thinking what you are asking for is impossible?

There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a bind that only God can get us out of. We may have made a mistake. We may have made a misjudgment. Perhaps an accident has happened. Or we were simply the victim of corporate downsizing.

When we are in a dire situation, we reach out to God. We may have attempted to resolve it on our own. We may have asked others to help. Despite our efforts, nothing seems to work out and we are left with nowhere to turn but to God.

That is the situation in today’s passage. The daughter of the synagogue leader had been very sick, and she died before Jesus got to her. There were several others at the house mourning her death. Her parents are grieving. Jesus tells everyone but her parents to leave. They laugh at Him. From their human point of view, there was nothing to be done other than conduct a funeral. They did not understand the power of God.

I often wonder if we understand the power of God. We say He is all-powerful. We call Him Almighty God. We say He can do anything. Yet, I’m not sure we truly understand just how true those statements are. Jesus raised multiple people from the dead while He walked this earth. He cured multiple diseases and restored many who were crippled. We have seen the evidence. But the evidence hasn’t happened before our eyes. Our human experiences tell us it’s not possible. So, we don’t trust God to fix our problem…until we have no other place to turn.

I pray we all realize how powerful God is. I pray we trust Him in all situations. I pray each one of us will turn to God on a daily basis and increase our trust and faith in Him. Nothing is impossible for God. Trust Him to take care of it. Put your faith in Jesus. Build your trust in Him. Build your faith in Him. Do it before you experience dire circumstances.

Matthew 9:23-25 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Be Hospitable

Are you hospitable? Do you welcome in people you do not know? Are you willing to feed someone who is hungry? Will you host someone who needs a place to stay? Have you ever thought you may entertain an angel?

Allowing anyone off the street to come into our homes can be dangerous. Though perhaps not as dangerous as we have been led to believe by the news. However, being a hospitable person is not only about allowing someone to stay with us.

Being hospitable starts with an attitude of sharing. We must rid ourselves of the attitude that all we currently possess is ours. We must realize it all belongs to God and He has allowed us to be stewards of it for a short time. Of course, we are to be good stewards. We are not to simply throw it away or waste it.

There are opportunities to host those in need. We can host a missionary. If you happen to have a low-level minor-league baseball team in your town, you may have an opportunity to host a baseball player. There are opportunities to host family, friends, and co-workers. And, yes, there may be a time when a stranger comes to our door and asks for a cool cup of water.

We must be discerning when hosting, but we cannot be so fearful that we become stingy with what God has blessed us with. We do not think of angels coming to our door, but we may just have one approach us. We may just see one in a homeless shelter. We may see one in a broken-down vehicle along the road.

We are not called to be foolish, but we are called to share what God has blessed us with. So, let’s stop holding onto everything as though we will never be blessed again. Let’s trust God to provide and share what He has provided. Let’s be willing to give to those in need.

I pray we all rid ourselves of our selfishness. I pray we have an attitude of sharing. I pray each one of us will be discerning and willing to share what God has blessed us with. Be hospitable. Rid yourself of selfishness. Be willing to share. Trust God to provide. Be a good steward. Have an attitude of sharing.

Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Admit Failings

Have you ever needed something and had no idea how you would acquire it? Have you needed to be somewhere and unsure how you would get there? Has it ultimately worked out? Did it come about because of your belief that God would provide?

We may face a situation where we are in dire need of help. A situation we cannot overcome on our own. It may be a situation for which we are at no fault. We become distraught and desperate, seeking help from wherever we can find it.

It is in situations like these that people often reach out to God looking for a miracle. Or they shout at God asking why He allowed it to happen. Either way, they look to God.

It is when we reach out to God asking for His intervention that He answers. It is when we fall to our knees that He is attentive to our plea. It is when we admit our own failings and submit to His awesome power that He reveals Himself to us.

In today’s passage, a father asks Jesus to help his son. The Apostles could not help. The Rabbi’s could not help. The Pharisees could not help. The teachers of the law could not help. There was nowhere else to turn. If Jesus could not help, the situation was hopeless.

The good news is Jesus brings hope. He gives the father hope. The father admits his lack of belief and asks Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. In other words, the father had a trickle of belief, but not a wholehearted belief. He knows it. He admits it. And Jesus answers his request by ridding his son of the demon.

It is when we admit to both God and ourselves that we are not in control that He works in our lives. Why? Our pride and desire to be in control can keep God at bay, not allowing Him to work in our lives. He won’t force us to submit to Him. Yet, when we do, He works mightily in our lives.

I pray we all admit our failings before God. I pray we submit to God’s mighty power. I pray each one of us relinquish our thoughts of being in control, giving up our pride to submit to God. Admit your failings. Give up control. Give up your pride. Ask God to intervene. See Him work mightily in your life.

Mark 9:23-24 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Humble Yourself

Have you had a request turned down? Has there been something you desired very much that you were denied? Did you continue to ask for it? Or did you give up after requesting it once? How deeply did you desire it?

I dare say there has been something we have asked for that we thought we wanted badly. However, when we were told no, we gave up—even if it was not a direct no. We do not always want things as much as we might initially think we do.

In today’s passage, a non-Israelite woman is asking Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus responds that He came for the “lost sheep of Israel” (v. 24). She continues to beg for his help. Again, he replies that you don’t toss the children’s food to the dogs. But she humbles herself and continues to ask.

Notice she doesn’t deny being the dog, the outsider. She accepts the answer Jesus gave, but she states that even those who are not children get the scraps. She appeals to Jesus’ mercy, is unrelenting, and even follows along with the metaphor He uses. Obviously, this woman was willing to do whatever it took to heal her daughter.

In the case of this woman, it was a desire to receive help for her daughter. But we can apply her persistence to other desires. In some cases, it boils down to whether we are willing to humble ourselves before God or not. Too often, our pride is more important to us than acquiring something we desire, perhaps even need.

God will not withhold anything we need. He may test us, wanting us to give up our pride and humble ourselves before Him. He wants us to recognize Him as God, as Creator, as the Almighty. Our pride keeps us from doing that.

I pray we all recognize God for who He is. I pray we humble ourselves before Him. I pray each one of us will continue to seek what we desire and release our pride before our Holy God. Ask God for your needs. Ask God for your desires. Humble yourself before God. Release your pride.

Matthew 15:27-28 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Power of the Gospel

Do you ever deny you are a Christian? Are there times when you may not lie, but neither do you make it obvious you follow Jesus? Have you considered you may be the only one who others may hear about Jesus from?

There will be times when we don’t want to stand out as a follower of Christ. It is especially difficult when we are early in our walk with Him. On the one hand, we want people to know about our faith. On the other, we fear being ostracized for it.

Being shunned by our friends can be scary. We falsely believe we will not find new friends. So, we fold when fear hits us. This is when we need the gospel, the good news. It is the good news of Jesus Christ that will lift us up, relieve us of the fear we harbor.

The gospel, as we believe it, reveals righteousness. As our faith is put in the gospel, we obtain the righteousness of God. We may not fully understand how it happens, and it may take time for our belief and faith to come to fruition, but it does come.

God works in us as long as we continue to believe He is God, we turn to Him, and we put our faith in Jesus Christ. If we know someone who is struggling in their faith, we must continue to pray for them. Our faith can continue to build them up and call God to work in their lives. We may pray for them for years. But as we refuse to give up on them, God also refuses to give up on them. As we continue to speak the truth of the gospel to them, the power of God is brought to bear on them. In the end, God wins.

I pray we are not ashamed of the gospel. I pray we believe in the power of the gospel. I pray each one of us continues to pray that God works in the lives of others. Believe the gospel. Know you obtain righteousness through faith. Hold on to your faith. Pray for the faith of others to be strengthened. Never give up. Know that God is at work.

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”