July 9, 2014
Marriage is God’s idea. It is His provision for man’s need for companionship and oneness. This oneness is three-dimensional, involving the physical, the soul and the spirit. It is God’s plan for having children and parenting. The Bible opens and closes with a wedding and God is intimately involved in both. This proverb describes God’s favor in the finding of a good wife. She is to be treasured and received as a gift from God. When a husband and wife view one another as a gift from God to be received and cherished, they begin to experience the oneness that He intended.
July 8, 2014
Leadership gurus often instruct their clients to write a personal purpose statement to bring focus to their life. Paul was a man who often declared his personal purpose statement. Here, he announced his purpose to “testify to everyone” about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. When a life is lived with such singular purpose, it burns like a laser with focused energy. Paul said, “This one thing I do,” not these thousand things I dabble in (Phil.3:13). What’s your life purpose?
July 7, 2014
Joy. Not the conditional stuff of happiness based on favorable circumstance. But joy, the stuff that pours into us from God’s omnipotent and unchanging Spirit. How do we find such joy? Not by searching for it. We find joy by taking “refuge” in the Lord and singing His praises. We find joy by loving His “Name” and letting the joy of God flood our souls. Are you suffering with the Monday blues? Rather than seeking happiness or even joy, seek the Lord Himself. For an overwhelming joy overflows from His Spirit to those who take refuge in Him.
July 6, 2014
For the remaining two years of his term, the Roman governor Felix kept Paul in custody at Caesarea. He often sent for Paul, so that he and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, could hear him talk about faith in Christ. What a strange time this must’ve been for Paul. The Scripture ascribes mixed motives to Felix. On the one hand, it mentions that Felix wanted a bribe and that he wanted to gain favor from the Jews. On the other hand, he gave Paul freedom and allowed his friends to visit. Felix also became very frightened when Paul talked to him. Yet Paul didn’t waver. When others would’ve become disheartened by being caught up in such political intrigue, Paul kept sharing his testimony and preaching the gospel. In this way, the elite ruling class of Caesarea heard his witness.
July 5, 2014
You’ve heard it said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Yet, the Bible teaches otherwise. Wisdom loves learning. No matter your age, retaining a child-like curiosity for learning is the secret to never growing old. Leaders are readers. And leaders are learners. The apathetic scoff at learning, while seeking the next passive entertainment. The know-it-all lacks the humility to learn, claiming to know better. Only the wise, the humble and curious are “always ready to learn.” The truly wise are those who have submitted their minds to Christ and experienced His transforming power over their thinking. As a result, according to Romans 12:2, they are able to “learn” God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for them.
July 4, 2014
On this date when Americans celebrate Independence Day, we are appropriately thankful for God’s blessing on the USA. Yet, many of us are troubled by the news of nations and terrorists threatening war and violence in the world. This same verse from Psalms 2 was quoted in prayer by the first century Christians (Acts 4:25-26) when they were being persecuted by their political leaders for preaching the gospel. They prayed that God would handle the threats and “futile plans” of leaders like Pilate and Herod, while giving them boldness to keep preaching the Word. So, on this July 4th, I’m praying like they did. Kings and rulers may plot against the Lord’s anointed, against Christ and His Church, but the Lord God who rules in heaven “laughs” (Psa. 2:4) at them.
July 3, 2014
The riotous crowd that had chanted to kill Paul now fell silent as he addressed them in their own tongue. Did he defend himself or respond in anger? No. He gave his testimony. Paul’s response was the epitome of the prayer that the early church prayed in Acts 4:29 when they prayed, “Lord, you consider their threats while granting us boldness to speak Your Word.” We can pray this prayer too. Paul was truly bold, but his courage came from a deep sense of calling by the Lord Jesus. The Lord is still calling followers that would depend on Him like Paul.
July 2, 2014
As a father and grandfather, some special urge emerges within me when one of my children use the name “Daddy” or “Pawpaw.” When my grandson, Nate says, “Pawpaw, can you play Power Rangers with me?” It’s the name he calls me that moves me more than his request. I have no interest in being the red, blue or yellow Power Ranger, but I am moved to be Nate’s “Pawpaw.” Yet, not everyone can use my name in this way. Only my children and grandchildren have this right and influence with me. Perhaps this is a small insight into how God responds when we invoke His Name. We are His children and when we call upon His Name, He responds. As Jesus said, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14).
July 1, 2014
When King Hezekiah of Judah received a letter from the king of Assyria threatening to overthrow Jerusalem and mocking his dependence on the Lord, the king carried the letter into the Temple. He fell on his face in prayer and spread the letter out on the floor for the Lord’s consideration. The Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer and defended Jerusalem, so that the Assyrian army retreated without firing a shot. What threatens you today? Have you “spread” it out before the Lord in prayer?
June 30, 2014
In Paul’s final instructions to the elders of the Ephesian church, he warned them of false teachers who would seek to profit from the flock rather than protect it. He called them to acknowledge that his ministry was marked by no covetous motives and hard work. He challenged them to remember Jesus and to be givers, not takers.