Servant of God

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ"- Galatians 1:10 (NIV).

Are you enslaved to what other people think of you? Seeking the approval of others reveals idolatry and requires self-examination. We want to be accepted by our peers, by the world; so, we act in such a way as to gain their respect and honor: idolatry at work. Did you hear the story of John, who wanted to be popular like David, so he acted like David, but David really wanted to be like Timothy, Timothy wanted to be like Craig, and Craig ending up wanting to be like...John. In the end, all John had to do was to be himself and, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit resides within him and molding him into the image of Jesus. Our desire shouldn't be on approval from anyone other than the Lord. Who do you hold in high regard and try to emulate? If it is anyone other than Jesus you are not a servant of Christ. 

Marks of Resistance

"Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated"- Hebrews 10:33 (NIV).

The Sunday School teacher asked the class why people didn't share their faith freely and publicly. One answer was fear of reprisal, to avoid conflict or discomfort, with those outside their Christian realm. Stop and ask yourself how many times you speak of God or mention Jesus in a week; in a day. Then consider with whom and where you did have the occasion to discuss your King and Master. Too many Christians have removed themselves from the battlefield, remaining on the sidelines, shackled to fear...most deadly is the fact they aren't even aware of their position. This world is in a struggle against sin. Do you bear any marks indicative of resistance? God wouldn't have given us a full set of His armor if He didn't intend on us being part of the battle (Ephesians 6:11-17).  

Waiting On God

"On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about"- Acts 1:4 (NIV).

It's so hard to wait. Waiting is grueling when we have hope that what is coming is exciting, long awaited, an anticipated gift; just watch children at Christmas time, you'll understand. Today's Scripture tells of the promise of a miraculous gift from Almighty God. Jesus didn't say when the gift would arrive; only to stay and wait. I imagine each day must have felt longer than 24-hours, each hour longer than 60-minutes...The timing of the giving of the Holy Spirit was perfect though. Jerusalem was full, people were in place and the most wonderful event was about to take place (Act 2). Around 3,000 people, many from distant lands, accepted Jesus as Savior the day of Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit. The event was more than they could have imagined: a violent wind had filled the house where they were together, tongues of fire rested on each of them and the Holy Spirit filled each one of them, gifting them with tongues to present the Gospel in other languages (vs 2-4). God is the Author of great gifts. He cannot be out-given! Therefore, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). 

One and Only Guide

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps"- Proverbs 16:9 (NIV).

My husband and I visited Italy for a once-in-a-life adventure years ago. We didn't speak Italian, nor did we know where we were going. Thankfully we had Georgio and his wife, Bruna, as traveling companions. They were our guides and we trusted them and followed them. We were blessed to see parts of Italy most tourists never see because they're off the beaten path, places where only an Italian would know the way. We would never have had that adventure without our Italian guides. This can be applied to our heavenly Guide who is helping us navigate this life. Jesus said: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Believers only need to trust and follow Him; then they will see places only Christians will ever see, places off the beaten path, because Jesus will establish their steps to and through the narrow gate. "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matthew 7:13). You'll never reach your desired destination without following Jesus: the One and only Guide you'll ever need.

External Force

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"- Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).

One of the most well loved and memorized verses is 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." The following verses, 12-13, are the bulwark to the Father's promise: "Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart." Seeking requires motion; it's an action word; yet, so many Christians want verse 11, without any inertia on their part. Miriam-Webster defines inertia as a "property of matter by which it remains at rest...unless acted upon by some external force." God prepared, in advance of our birth, good works we, His children, were to accomplish and His children cannot be snatched from His hands (John 10:28); therefore, He will drive such as these from their anesthetized Christian inertia, to their knees, until they seek Him with all their heart. The question remains: Do you come willingly or does the Father need to apply some external force?

Part of the Process

"Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth"- John 17:17 (NIV).

Christians say they want to be used by God; in fact, they yearn to do something big for God. That kind of ministry would set us apart from the world and reveal God's glory. We desire sanctification. Being sanctified is defined as being set apart, dedicated to God. In today's Scripture, John says we are sanctified by the truth. So, if God's word is truth, which sanctifies us, and we find truth, which sanctifies us, in the Bible, God's word, why are so many Christian Bibles covered in dust or placed out of sight and mind? One of the most precious memories of my paternal grandfather is of him, lying on his side, reading his Bible, illuminated by his bedside lamp. It set him apart from other worldly images my heart and mind carry around. In truth, I was witnessing the process of sanctification. It's available for you too. Get into God's word; then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (8:32). Become part of the process.

Things of This Earth

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass always, but whoever does the will of God lives forever"- 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV).

It can be rather difficult to be obedient and live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this world (Titus 2:12). Our senses are assaulted daily with the available treasures of this world. We want the best phone, technology, car, education, job, vacation, marriage, children, health, income. Our lists are filled with the things of this world we seek; we love; we lust after. We are supposed to set our minds on things above, not things of this world (Colossians 3:2). Have you ever wondered what you would change in your life if you could go back and start anew? Everyone has; and everyone will have the same wistful thoughts at the end of their earthly life. Now is the time to live the life, doing the will of God, where you will not find yourself longing to recapture time; instead, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus...and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace (Hillsong). 

Peter Pan Mindset

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me"- 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV).

That verse doesn't mean we can't play like a child. It's talking about spiritual maturity. As we learn about spiritual matters, especially those that contradict our lifestyle or manner, we must remove them from our lives. An egocentric mindset is the mark of a child. Children think the world revolves around them; but, the world revolves around only One: Jesus. As Christians, we must not become mired in a Peter Pan maturation level. The world is full of Peter Pans, but there's hope. My brother and sisters, "(G)row in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). Peter Pan did have a moment of clarity: "I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us "(J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan). Choose to grow up by following Jesus, before the clock, croc, catches up to you.

There's A Storm Coming

"Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is You, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in You, for You are the one who does all this"- Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV).

Creedance Clearwater Revival (CCR) wrote a song titled Who'll Stop The Rain. God has used weather-related phenomena throughout history. Elijah prayed and God kept the rain from falling for three and a half years (James 5:17). Zechariah 9:14 speaks of God's arrows of lightning and His movement that of a whirlwind; sounds like a tornado or hurricane. The seventh plague on Egypt was hail and Revelation 16:21 speaks of hail weighing 100-pounds raining down on people. God hurls down sleet like crumbs; "who can stand before His cold?" (Psalm 147:17).  It's God who causes the sky to do these things. So, to answer CCR's questions: God stops the rain from falling. There's an eerie calm before a storm. Once more from CCR: "Someone told me long ago there's a calm before the storm, I know: it's been comin' for some time" (Have You Ever Seen The Rain). Does our nation worship worthless idols? Has it turned its back on the One who does all things? Prepare: There's a storm coming.  

Fool's Rage

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord"- Romans 12:19 (NIV).

The signs, saying merge right, have been posted for the past mile; yet, here comes those drivers who will drive past every car in the right lane, all the way up to the blockade, and then put on their blinker wanting someone to let them cut into the line of obedient drivers; one of many reason we have a new term lately: "road rage." What makes you lash out? You might think you're above losing your temper. My friend, I'm here to tell you that the devil knows exactly how to stoke your temper to a flaring inferno. Proverbs 29:11 says a fool will give into his anger, but a wise man will hold it back. God's wrath does not come into play if you're fighting your own battles. Remember the story of David and Nabal. Nabal insulted David, the equivalent to being spit in the face, so David, in a violent rage, strapped on his sword, took four-hundred of his fighting men, intent on killing Nabal. Abigail, Nabal's wife, was wise enough to go to David and restrain him using both wisdom and kindness. Wisely, David saw Abigail's actions as Divine intervention and stopped. God struck Nabal and Nabal died 10-days later. By the way, Nabal means "fool" (1 Samuel 25). Don't allow your rage to make a fool out of you. Leave room for God to fight for you.