Be Strengthened by God

Do you feel as though you are in an uphill battle? Are you struggling with it? Does it feel as though you are losing? Are you going it alone? Or have you asked for help? Do you desire help but do not know where to turn? Have you considered turning to God?

We go through seasons during our lives. Some are joyous and full of energy. Others are like slogging through knee deep mud. Still others are like life and death battles, wearisome and worrisome. We may feel as though we are in an endless winter, devoid of life.

These various seasons of life will put us in situations in which we need help. Yet, we may not want help. We may simply desire to be left alone to wallow in our misery all by ourselves. It is in this frame of mind we need to reach out to God. We need to recognize how we are feeling and ask God to pull us up out of the ditch.

Feeling distraught, abandoned, overwhelmed, and depressed is no place to be alone. We must recognize these feelings and reach out to God. He will strengthen us. Not just with physical strength to move but spiritual strength that will calm our emotional feelings. He will bring light into our darkness. He will enlighten our thoughts. He will show us there is a better place ahead.

Make no mistake about it, it isn’t easy during those down times. Seeking God may not be our first thought. But knowing those times will come and building our relationship with God beforehand will make it easier to reach out to him in those troubling times. When we lean on God, all things are possible for nothing is impossible for God. He gives us hope, which is powerful.

I pray we all build our relationship with God every day. I pray we recognize our down times. I pray each one of us will reach out to God for spiritual strength and be lifted out of the muck and mire. Know you will go through seasons in life. Ask for strength from God. Build your relationship with him. Trust he will pull you out of the ditch.

1 Corinthians 1:8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fully Equipped

uiWhat gifts do you have? What are your talents and skills? What can you do that is special? Can you sing well? Are you gifted with the ability to translate languages? Can you adapt to whatever situation you find yourself in? Have you given thought to where your gifts come from?

Each of us are gifted with talents and skills. We may have a knack for playing musical instruments. We may be able to learn languages easily. We may be able to quickly adapt quickly to vastly different situations. We may be great a negotiating or mediating.

There are more talents and skills than we can count. Many of them go unnoticed or taken for granted. For instance, the ability to hear and speak, verbal communication, is a skill that not everyone has, but most of us take for granted. We talk all day long. We exchange ideas, tell stories, relate our day at work to our spouse, and hear the dialog of a movie. We don’t give any of those a second thought.

Each of us is also gifted with spiritual gifts. Not one of us has been gifted all of them. Yet, when we come together as a body of Christ—the church—we have all the gifts we need to carry out God’s mission. None of us can do it all on our own. It requires us to come together, work together, share our ideas and experiences to accomplish the mission God has given us.

When the Apostle Paul wrote today’s passage to the church in Corinth, he was not writing to an individual. He was writing to the body of Christ in Corinth. When he said they were not lacking, he was talking about the group. As a group, we are not lacking. When we come together, we have all we need.

I pray we all come together to accomplish the mission God has given us. I pray we share our gifts with the body of Christ. I pray each one of us will put our gifts to good us in God’s service. Recognize your spiritual gifts. Use your gifts for God. Work with the church. Accomplish the mission God has given the church.

1 Corinthians 1:4-7 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be a Peacemaker

Have you noticed the disgruntlement and division in our society? What have you done about it? Have you contributed to it? Or have you tried to close the divide? Do you wonder what you can do to help heal the wounds? Have you asked God to step in to save us?

We have seen a significant increase in division throughout our society over the past several years. We can point a finger at any number of people, but that doesn’t bring about healing. We can be part of the problem, or we can be part of the solution. If we do nothing, it is the same as being part of the problem.

The people of God are not about being divisive. If we think we should be, we are very much mistaken. After all, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). We cannot be divisive in nature and call ourselves children of God any more than a rose can be called an oak tree.

But what can we do to heal the divisiveness we see all around us? The first step is, do not contribute to the divisiveness. The second step is, ask God to come into the situation and bring about healing. Third, be willing to be used by God to be a mediator who helps reduce the divide.

It is only when the people of God ask him into the situation, and they are willing to be used by God that we see positive change. As fallen people, we cannot heal ourselves. We need to Great Physician to bring about healing. We need the Ruler of the Universe who can cause national and global change. We need to submit to him and be willing peacemakers. We need to ask God into our lives and the divisive situation.

I pray we all recognize the divisiveness in our society. I pray we ask God into the situation. I pray each one of us will be a willing peacemaker, working alongside God to bring about a positive change. See the divisiveness. Ask God into the situation. Be willing to work with God. Be a peacemaker.

Psalm 80:3

Restore us, O God; 

let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Serve the Least

Who are the least in your life? Are they the homeless? Are they people you do not like? Are they people you know? Are they people you don’t know, but see on the streets? How do you look at them? Are you serving them? If so, how? If not, why not?

We often gravitate toward people we like. We strive to be with people we are attracted to. Many times, we do not even see the least among us. If we do, we may look at them with scorn or pity, but do little for them. We do not see them as Jesus sees them.

To follow Jesus’ commands, we must see the least among us from His point of view. We must look upon them with compassion. We must take mercy upon them and share our blessings with them. It may not be easy to do, but Jesus has shown us how to go about it.

Let’s not mistake this command to mean donating to charities. Though that is a means for providing for those in need, it does not fully satisfy Jesus’ command. No, we must see them with the same heart Jesus sees them. Our compassion cannot be defined with a dollar. It takes far more than that.

We are to treat them kindly. It is not turning our head away when we pass them. It is seeing them, and perhaps speaking to them. It is letting them know they are loved by God, and consequently, loved by us. We may not be able to provide for all their needs, but we can show them the compassion of Jesus.

I pray we all show the least among us Jesus’ compassion. I pray we see them as Jesus sees them. I pray each one of us will take the time to show the least that they are loved by Jesus and by us. Have the compassion of Jesus. Obey His command to love the least. Do what you can. Be Jesus to the least among us.

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Glory and Angels

What is your vision of the last day of history? Do you view it as a day of destruction? Or do you view it as a day of glorious victory? Have you heard the truth of what that day will be? Are you looking forward to that day? Does it impact how you live your life today?

We have either seen apocalyptic movies or seen the trailers for them. They paint a bleak picture of humanity after nuclear destruction or the collapse of our atmosphere or some other worldwide catastrophe. The human race struggles to eke out a meager existence.

We might think those moves may come true as we continue to use up the natural resources of the earth. Or we may look to the science fiction movies of space travel and settling on other planets, perhaps planets in another galaxy. The truth of the matter is we don’t know how long this earth will remain nor when it will be destroyed. We do know what the final outcome will be.

Jesus tells us in His own words what the last day of history will look like. He will come in glory. He will bring all the angels with Him. He will sit on the throne of glory. Read that again. Jesus will be on full display to all and His glory will shine over the entire earth. He will bring every angel in heaven with Him. There will be thousands upon thousands of angels accompanying Him in His glory.

He will sit on the throne. Not just any throne, but the throne of glory and of judgment. He will separate the people into two groups. The group who has chosen to follow Him will be put on His right and those who didn’t will be put on His left. The ones on the left will be banished for eternity. The ones on His right will be granted eternal life with Him on a new earth under a new heaven.

Jesus did not mince His words. He has given us no option to waffle or attempt to stand in a gray area. We are either following Him or we are not. We will either spend eternity with Him or be banished to the lake of fire. But the opportunity to make that choice is only given while we live on this earth. It is crucial to make the choice to follow Him each and every day.

I pray we all choose to follow Jesus. I pray we make a conscious choice to follow Him every day. I pray each one of us will be counted among those on His right hand, spending eternity with Him. Know the outcome at the end of time. Trust the truth Jesus’ words. Make the choice to follow Him. Be confident you will spend eternity with God.

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.”

Fullness of Christ

How do you like to do things? Do you like to ensure you fully complete tasks? Is your preference to participate in successful ventures? Do you want to live life to its fullest? How does this apply to your spiritual life? Are you part of the fullness of Christ?

Most of us like to finish what we started. We enjoy seeing the finished product. Being able to finish a task brings satisfaction and gratification. Living out our lives to its fullest is a goal we seek to achieve. Chasing that fullness can take us down many different paths.

If we want to experience the fullness of spiritual life, there is only one place we can do so—the church. The church is the fullest expression of Christ. He is the head of the church and through His guidance the church fulfills His mission. Without the church, we cannot experience the fullness of Christ.

I know, some will point to flaws in the church. But let’s get this clear. Those mistakes are made by humans, not by the leadership of Christ. We, as humans, have the freewill to make bad choices, whether in the church or out. Therefore, do not let bad experiences in the past keep us away from the church. For it is in the church that we experience Christ in His fullness.

Our culture has become individualistic and many in the church have become that way as well. But it is not in the individual that Christ is full. It is in His body, the church, that He becomes full. Why? Each one of us has been blessed with different gifts. It is only when we come together to share those gifts that we can present the fullness of Christ.

So, be part of a local church body. It not only helps you, but it helps the larger body of Christ and local communities. In the ministry of the church, we show our communities Jesus. The church builds the individual and the collective group. It reaches those who might otherwise go unreached. The church is the only place to experience the fullness of Christ.

I pray we all become part of a local church. I pray we choose a church that helps build our faith. I pray each one of us will contribute to the body of Christ through our work in a local church. Be part of the church. Be part of the body of Christ. Experience the fullness of Christ. Contribute to the mission of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:22-23 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Thankful Faith

What are you thankful for today? Are you thankful for family? Are you thankful for your job? Are you thankful for a roof over your head, clothing to wear, food on your table, and water to drink? Are you thankful for others who have put their faith in Jesus Christ?

We are instructed in Scripture to give thanks for all we have. We may have been told the same thing by our parents or grandparents. But in our culture of me first, it can be a challenge to be thankful. We are told we deserve so much more and feel like we are being slighted.

Having family around a table to share a meal is something to be thankful for. There are many who do not have that experience. I remember times of being deployed during holidays, being far away from family. I also think of those who are in nursing homes and whose family does not visit them. I think of the elderly whose children and grandchildren who live hundreds of miles away and who cannot visit with them during the holidays due to the cost of traveling.

Most of us take for granted the basic necessities of a place to live, clothing, food, and water. Yet, I have been to places where the water is not safe to drink, and people purchase their food day-to-day based on the money they have available. They are hardworking people, but their jobs do not pay enough for luxuries.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to be thankful for our brothers and sisters in faith. We are to love them and be thankful they have come to faith in Jesus. Again, our culture makes that challenging. We disagree and our culture wants us to hate based on disagreement. We have forgotten to be thankful for different points of view. If it weren’t for different points of view, we would be a stagnant society. It is our diversity that provides opportunity for growth. Let’s give thanks for people of faith and love every one of them.

I pray we all give thanks for the blessings of God. I pray we give thanks for family and God’s provisions. I pray each one of us give thanks for everyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. Be thankful. Give God’s thanks for his blessings. Be thankful for fellow Christians. Love one another.

Ephesians 1:15-16 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.

Sing with Joy

Do you like to laugh? Do you enjoy laughing with others? Do you like to sing? Do you sing at the top of your voice when one of your favorite songs comes on the radio? Do you prefer to be happy? Do you worship God in your laughing, singing, and gladness?

We all enjoy a good laugh. The old saying, laughter is good for the soul, I believe is true. I have seen a lot of healing take place in laughter. A patient in the hospital feels better with a little laughter. A broken hearth feels better with laughter. Whether a little chuckle or a hearty laugh, it is good for us.

Singing is also good for the soul. We may not be able to carry a tune in a bucket, but singing heart felt songs is good for us. We poor out our feelings. Singing sad songs allows us to get those sad feeling off our chest. Singing joyous songs raises our spirits. Yes, singing is good for us. Perhaps that is why John Wesley said to sing loud when we sing our worship hymns.

Some do not like contemporary Christian music. They think it is offensive to God. But we might want to go back and read our Bibles. David often celebrated to God with several musical instruments. He even danced in the streets singing and banging a tambourine in his underwear! God sees the heart and is happy anytime we sing with our heart, whether with musical instruments or not, whether the music is blaring at a hundred decibels or a mere twenty-five.

God desires us to worship him with gladness in our heart and singing his praises. Too often we go to him with worry, anxiety, fear, and wants. If we were to sing his praises more often, those feelings would go away. We would come to know that he is God, and he is in control. The hymns, especially, have well-grounded lyrics based in Biblical text. We learn more about God while singing, and we lift our spirits at the same time.

I pray we all sing praises to God. I pray we sing in our hearts throughout the day. I pray each one of us will choose to play old hymns, southern gospel, or contemporary Christian on our radios. Sing with gladness. Make a joyful noise to God. Worship God through music. Lift your spirits through music.

Psalm 100:1-2

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 

Worship the Lord with gladness; 

come into his presence with singing.

Saving the Flock

What do you look forward to? Are looking toward acquiring more? Or are you merely hoping to make it through this day? Have you made the glory of this world your desire? Or have you discovered this world’s glory is nothing compared to the glory of eternity?

We may look forward to many things. There are birthdays, national holidays, Christmas, and Easter. It seems as though each of them have become commercialized and celebrated elaborately. In some cases, they mean no more to people than a day off work.

All our national holidays were created to remember and honor others. Presidents Day was originally two holidays—Washington’s Birthday and Lincoln’s Birthday. Memorial Day is to honor those who have died in defense of our country. Veterans Day is to honor those who have served in the military and are still among us. Labor Day is to honor all our laborers. And, of course, Independence Day is to honor those who initially fought for our freedom.

Easter is the remembrance of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We mourn His death on Good Friday. We remember the sorrow of His disciples through Saturday. On Sunday we celebrate His resurrection. It is a joyous celebration. A celebration unlike any other for it celebrates hope and salvation.

Christmas has a murky history. The early church did not believe in celebrating birthdays, rather they celebrated deaths as the true birth into eternity. In the third century some Christians began celebrating Jesus’ at winter solstice. Over the past few decades, scientific information points to Jesus’ actual birth likely occurring in the spring.

Jesus’ birth, death, burial, and resurrection all contribute to God saving those who have chosen to obey him. God decided long ago to save his flock, his people. He is the ultimate judge. Though this world may be harsh, God is loving and just. His plan has already been executed to provide for the saving of those who love him and follow his commands.

I pray we all understand that God will save his people. I pray we choose to love and obey God. I pray each one of us will celebrate God’s plan to save his flock and be the ultimate judge. Know that God will save his people. Choose to love and obey God. Celebrate God’s plan of salvation. Live with the hope of Jesus.

Ezekiel 34:22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

Lost and Found

Does it make you feel good to know that you are cared for? Do you like to know you are loved? If you were lost, would you like for someone to come looking for you? If you were injured, would you to have your injuries tended to? Do you want someone to strengthen you?

Being lost is no fun. It can be scary. Being injured can be painful and lonely. Having someone tend to us is comforting. Being weak can feel debilitating. Being strengthened by another can boost our morale. Knowing there is always someone there for us is encouraging.

I can remember one specific time being lost. It’s funny to look back on but we were a bit worried at the time. We were deployed to South Korea and tasked with going to meet another group at a beach. We were given rudimentary directions and no map. We ended up going several miles north of where we were supposed be. Thankfully, we ran into one of the “officials” for the war games who had a map and directed us to where we were supposed to go.

We get lost in life sometimes. We head down a path we shouldn’t be on. We get lost along the way and may not know how to get back to where we belong. But God will come looking for us. It doesn’t matter where we are, how far we have wondered, God will come for us and steer us back to the path he desires for us.

How will we know God is leading? We know when we hear his whisper. We know when our “gut” tells us we need to turn back. We know when we find peace in the path we are on. How do we get back? We rely on the strength God provides to overcome the wrong path we were on. We may have been wounded along the way, but God will grant us healing.

I pray we all seek to be on God’s path. I pray we know God will find us when we are lost. I pray each one of us will lean on God’s strength to overcome our mistakes and accept his healing. Know God will find you. Listen for his voice. Lean on God’s strength. Accept God’s healing.

Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.