Humbly Question

Have you ever asked you children who they think they are to question you? Have you thought they had a lot of guts to question you? Did you feel as though your authority as a parent was being questioned? Have you done the same thing to God?

Having our children question our authority or our ability to provide for them can be offensive. We may feel indignant or threatened. Our confidence may be shaken. We may even begin to question ourselves. Perhaps our child has hit a nerve, touched on something we were already pondering.

But what happens when we question God? First, his confidence is never shaken. Second, he does not feel threatened. Third, God will not allow anyone to challenge his authority. He certainly did not allow Job to challenge his authority. No, he called Job out. He let Job know in no uncertain terms that he had no idea all about the plans he was fulfilling.

When we question God with no real understanding, he may remind us just how much we don’t know, as well. Yet, when we question God with a yearning for understanding, God is compassionate in his answers. It is not as much about questioning God but about the state of our hearts. A heart that wants to understand approaches God humbly. A proud heart causes us to shake our fists and demand what we think is right. God quickly sees the difference and reacts appropriately.

I pray we all question God with a humble heart. I pray we yearn to understand God’s plan for us. I pray each one of us exchange our proud hearts for humble hearts as we come before God. Ask your questions of God. Approach God with a humble heart. Seek to understand. Trust God to answer.

Job 38:1-2

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”

Abundance or Scarcity

How often do you think about how much God has blessed you? Do you think about it every day or every week? Do you take God’s blessings for granted? Have you thought about why God has blessed you? How does he want you to pass on his blessings?

To be honest with you, I often take God’s blessings for granted. Perhaps you do as well. I don’t take them for granted as much as I once did, but I still do not think about every little blessing and give God thanks for them as often as I should. Maybe you do the same.

Living in America, we do not realize how blessed we are. Sure, there are hardships, but they are first world hardships, not third world hardships. Our hardships are often having to squeeze in getting a vehicle repaired, not wondering where our next meal is coming from.

We may think about our finances and state we don’t have enough money. Yet, the question is not really about whether we have enough for our needs but if we have enough for our wants. God has blessed us with more than enough to satisfy our basic needs of food, drink, clothing, and shelter. He may not provide for our additional wants of purchasing our toys or going on international vacations.

The difference between living in abundance and living in scarcity is all about attitude and trust. If we truly trust that God has provided for all our needs, our attitude of gratitude toward God will be abundant. This is the attitude God desires from each one of us.

I pray we all realize God has provided for us. I pray we open our eyes and see God’s many blessings. I pray each one of us will have an attitude of gratitude and thank God for every little blessing he has bestowed on us. God has provided. God will continue to provide. Be thankful. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Luke 12:48b “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

The Last Will Be First

What are you willing to give up to acquire the most prized reward? Are you willing to leave everything behind? Are you willing to stop running the rat race our culture tells us to run? Will you stop allowing the things of this world control you? Will you allow yourself to be set free?

The rat race far too many of us run is exhausting. We grow weary of the continual struggle to achieve something more. Yet, we continue to work harder, run faster, and be imprisoned by the trappings of this world. Our hearts desire is put on hold for the things our eyes can see.

Let’s not misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with working hard. In fact, we are told to work as though everything we do is being done for God. But we also must remember that Jesus took time to seek out the Father in quiet seclusion. Jesus did not run the rat race of the world. He sought to fulfill the mission the Father had given Him.

Jesus tells His disciples that no one who leaves their house, family, or possessions for His sake will lose their reward. In fact, He says they will receive a hundredfold in return. Again, let’s not misunderstand. Jesus is not saying that we must physically leave everything to receive the reward, though that may be the right decision for some. He is saying we must stop allowing those things control our lives. We must make Him number one in our life—every moment of every day of every year of our lives.

Jesus also does not say those who do not stop allowing the world to control their behavior will be left out. What He does say is they will not receive as grand a reward. This is meaning behind the first will be last and the last will be first. Those who appear to be last because they have stopped allowing the world to control their priorities, but instead make Jesus their number one priority, will be first in the kingdom. Perhaps we should rethink how we prioritize things in our lives today to receive the best reward in the future.

I pray we all strive to let go of our worldly desires. I pray we seek to be set free. I pray each one of us will make Jesus our number one priority and receive the best reward for doing so. Don’t allow the world to control you. Be set free by Jesus. Make Jesus your number one priority.

Mark 10:31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Impossibilities

Do you run across impossibilities often? Are you facing impossibilities? Have you tried to overcome them on your own? Have you run out of options and ready to give up? Have you decided to simply live with the reality that you cannot overcome it? Are willing to trust God?

We all face situations that we believe are impossible. If we haven’t, we will. In some cases, we are not meant to overcome them. In other cases, it is a matter of whether we will turn to God for help or not. If we don’t, we will not overcome the impossibility. If we do, we will.

It is a simple statement to say that God can do anything. It is also true. There is nothing God cannot do. But it is not about God overcoming the impossibility. It is about our faith and trust in him, believing he will overcome it, and knowing it is within his will to do so. How do we know all things are possible for God?

Jesus tells us all things are possible for God. He gives the example of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. The apostles were astounded, shocked, and confused that Jesus would say such a thing. Then Jesus told them it was impossible for us, but not for God. Jesus used an example of something outlandish to drive home the point that nothing is impossible for God.

When we face situations that appear to be impossible, we must turn to God. First, we must seek God to reveal his will to us. Second, we must pray that God carry out his will to overcome the impossible situation. Third, we must trust that God will overcome it according to his will.

I pray we all know nothing is impossible for God. I pray we seek to know God’s will. I pray each one of us pray for God’s will to be done and trust he will accomplish his will. Nothing is impossible for God. Seek God’s will. Trust God. Pray for God’s will to be done.

Mark 10:25, 27 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” … Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

Setting Priorities

Yesterday, we were asked what our most important possession is. Today, let’s discuss all our possessions. Are there any of our material possessions that we are unwilling to give up? Is there at least one prized possession we want to hold on to forever?

I remember being a child and hearing my Mom and Grandma talking about what to save if our house ever caught on fire. They agreed the most important possession, other than us kids, to get out of the house were pictures. Why? Pictures capture memories.

Setting priorities are important. As much as we may not like it, discussing what to do if a disaster occurs is important. We should be prepared. In the case of my Mom, all the pictures were in albums and were all located in one place. They could quickly be picked up and taken out of the house. Some of us may have a plan for a disaster. But many of us probably don’t.

A rich man approached Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus listed off several of the ten commandments. The man stated he had done all those. Jesus then told him he lacked one thing; he must sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. The man was saddened because he had many possessions.

Jesus was not saying we must sell everything we own. He was looking into the heart of the rich man and saw that the man had made his possessions more important than obeying God. Though the man had done everything commanded from an outward perspective, his heart was not committed. Are we like the rich man? Do we do what makes us look good but fail to commit fully to God? We can learn the lesson from this encounter with Jesus. He desires our heart, not rote behavior that makes us look good to others.

I pray we all take time to set priorities. I pray we know that all our possessions will disappear. I pray each one of us will fully commit to Jesus rather than allowing our possessions to own us. Set priorities. Commit your heart to Jesus. Make Him your number one priority.

Mark 10:21-22 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Hold Fast

What is your most important possession? What is your most important attribute? Are they one in the same? Do you think they should be one in the same? Are you willing to hold onto them with all you have? Is it so deeply ingrained in you that it could never be taken from you?

We have many important possessions. Our homes. Jewelry. Our jobs. Clothing. Tools. And our families. At different times, in different situations, any of them could be prioritized over the others. We may not want that, but it will happen, if it has not already.

Yet, there is one thing that is truly ours and it should be our most important possession. What is it? It is our confession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Our faith in Him should be not only our most important possession, but it should be our number one priority. We should hold onto it for dear life. It is because of our faith that we have hope in the promise of eternal life.

Why should it be so important? Jesus is our great high priest. He sits at the right hand of God the Father’s throne. He is our intercessor. He is the reason we are assured our sins are forgiven. He is God incarnate. He is our teacher. He is our perfect example. He is our counselor. He is the very reason we breathe.

As we hold onto our confession of faith in Him, our faith continues to grow. As our faith grows, we become more like Him. As we become more like Him, we show Him to the people we meet. As we show Him to others, we can bring them to Him, too. That is carrying out the mission He gave us.

I pray we all confess Jesus as our Savior. I pray we hold onto our confession of faith. I pray each one of us will make our faith in Jesus our number one priority and who Him to the people we meet. Confess Jesus. Hold onto your confession. Make your confession your number one priority.

Hebrews 4:14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

Speak Scripture

Is there someone in your life you wish would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Is there another Christian who you wish would change their behavior? Are you trying to get them to make changes on your own? Have you considered simply quoting Scripture to them?

We all know someone we wish would come to Christ. There are family members, friends, and co-workers who need to come to Christ. We may know some who say they believe in God, but their actions don’t represent it. They may say one thing and do something different.

Many of us may find it difficult to quote Scripture. We tell ourselves we must memorize Scripture first, which could be challenging. We don’t want to sound like we think we are better than others. That is Satan telling us to forgo approaching people in this manner. He doesn’t want us to quote Scripture because he knows the power of it.

What is the power of Scripture? It has the power to convict us. It can dig into our hearts, minds, and souls. It has the power to cause us to judge our own thoughts and intentions. When used properly, the person hearing it knows it is the undisputable truth. The word of God provides us with principles by which to live our lives. It can provide those we care about with the same principles and convict them to make changes.

How can we learn to quote Scripture? The first step is to begin memorizing key verses. There are several trusted sources of Scripture verses we can memorize that will apply to various situations. Memorize one, then another, then another. We then should pray that God guides our thoughts so we recognize when to use them. As we trust him to do so, he will bring the appropriate Scripture to mind during our conversations.

I pray we all decide to memorize Scripture. I pray we ask God to guide us in using Scripture. I pray each one of us will us Scripture in our conversations to bring about change in people we love. Memorize Scripture. Ask God to guide you. Use Scripture appropriately. Use Scripture in your conversations.

Hebrews 4:12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Take Your Troubles to God

What do you seek when you are in trouble? Who do you seek when things are going badly? Where do you run to find safety? To whom do you go to find solace? Are you going to the right place, the right people, and seeking the right things? Have you considered going to God?

When things go badly, we often turn to people we know, even if we cannot always trust them. Some people will turn to drugs or alcohol. Some eat or shop. Some hide their misery. Many seek only a temporary solution rather than something that will last.

Rather than only looking for human solutions to our troubles, we should take a page out of Job’s play book. He sought God, longing to meet him and lay out his case before him. Job was sure that God would listen to him. He wanted to go to God’s place to stand before him. Job knew that God could solve all his problems.

We can go to God at any time, and we should definitely go to him when we are facing troubles. We can step into the throne room and plead our case before him. We can rest assured that he will answer us, even if not in the timeframe we want. We can also trust that God always has our best interest at heart.

Going before is for our sake, for our conscience. God already knows. But we need to go before him to acknowledge him as God and to get our concerns off our chest. He is the perfect counselor. As we trust him with what is frustrating us or getting us down, our trust increases when he answers us. We can go to our family, friends, or trusted advisors. But don’t forget to go to God, too.

I pray we all have people we trust in our lives. I pray we know we can trust God with everything. I pray each one of us will step into God’s throne room and plead our cases before him. Trust God. Go to God with everything. Take your troubles to God. Know that God has your best interest at heart.

Job 23:3

Oh, that I knew where I might find him, 

that I might come even to his dwelling!

Salvation Has Come

What is salvation to you? Do you think of it as a “get out of jail free card?” Is it a reward for being good? Do you ever think about salvation? Or have you taken it for granted, allowing it to pass from your mind? Has it come to your house?

Salvation is a churchy word we hear thrown around from time-to-time. Anyone not familiar with those churchy words not only do not know what they mean but treat them as meaningless gibberish. We should not cast them aside so easily.

There was one individual who was so curious about Jesus that he climbed a tree to see Him. We may remember the story of Zacchaeus. We may have sung the children’s song about him. But do we understand why he was so curious?

Zacchaeus was a tax collector. He was hated by his fellow Jews. He was considered a traitor. Yet, Zacchaeus must have longed to fellowship with his fellow Jews. He certainly had not completely thrown away his belief in God. Otherwise, he would not have sought to see Jesus.

Perhaps we should be more like Zacchaeus. Perhaps we should seek Jesus out. Perhaps we need to understand better what salvation is. It is a free gift given to us for nothing more than our acceptance of Jesus into our hearts. Based on Jesus’ response to Zacchaeus, he had accepted Jesus for who He is and committed to following Him. We would do well to do the same.

I pray we all seek to see Jesus every day. I pray we know that Jesus gives us salvation when we accept Him into our hearts. I pray each one of us will choose to follow Jesus just as Zacchaeus did. Always seek Jesus. Accept Jesus. Be saved. Follow Jesus. Trust Jesus.

Luke 19:9-10 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Attitude of a Child

Do you like little children? Do you love holding babies? How do you treat those little ones? Do you point them to Jesus or turn them away from Him? Are you sure you know? Have you considered it is not merely by words but by actions that we influence children?

Most of us love babies. We enjoy holding them and cooing to them. We enjoy watching them learning to walk, until they start getting into things they shouldn’t. As children grow older, they slowly lose the adorableness we first saw in them, even if the parents are late noticing.

Yet, our influence on our children is long lasting and can continue for their entire lives. If we are educating them about Jesus, we are doing well. Teaching them about Jesus does not mean we drop them off at church or rely solely on a Sunday School teacher. Children are far smarter and observant than we give them credit for. What does this mean for us?

As we raise our children, we must be cognizant of our behavior and actions as well. We must not take the attitude of “do as I say, not as I do.” If we truly want our children to be followers of Jesus, to live lives in accordance with God’s plan, we must model that for them. We must submit our lives to God and demonstrate what that looks like to our children.

Jesus also tells us we must accept Him as a child does. That means we must be fully dependent on Him. We must submit ourselves to Him. We must turn to Him for our needs, guidance, and our well-being. When we turn to Jesus as a small child does its parent, we inherit the kingdom of God.

I pray we all enjoy our children and grandchildren. I pray we teach them about Jesus. I pray each one of us model submitting to Jesus and following Him to our children and grandchildren. Teach children about Jesus. Accept Jesus like a child. Be a positive role model for children.

Mark 10:14-15 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”