Don’t know about you, but some of my trials felt “fiery,,,” but they really were not. God was just refining me. Resistance (trials/challenges) builds strength and endurance. Rejoice in Jesus and grow.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
God assured the Israelites that their victory was inevitable in Joshua 6. Thousands of Israelites were commanded to march around the walls of Jericho. But then comes this extraordinary restriction that Joshua puts on them. Joshua said, “As you march for the next seven days, don’t speak a word. Don’t let a word come out of your mouth. Don’t talk. I command you to keep silent.”
Joshua understood a couple of things. He understood that God had surely promised victory in the lives of His people. But he also understood that there was a natural inclination for His people to talk themselves out of the victory that was certain to unfold in their lives.
We need to listen to God and move on His words.
“…Fools are destroyed by their own words.” Ecclesiastes 10:12
In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, “What’s in a name? … That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
She’s certainly right. The person we love is far more valuable than his or her name. Still, names are important. Names today don’t reveal much about us, but names in Bible times often did. Many times, in the Bible times people’s names would be changed or they were called by a different name to reflect their character. Today, most parents spend time selecting the “right” name for their newborn child. As believers, we are born into the image of Christ. Christian means Christ-like. Does our character match His name?
God has given us a new name. It’s his name.
Proverbs 22:1a says a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 a good name is better than precious ointment.
Live an upright life that will not tarnish our savior’s name.
Someburger’s old grill made the best hamburgers in town. Now the new owner is adding a new Someburger to his portfolio. It will have a brand new grill that will not have the flavor of the old grill. It takes cooking lots of burgers to season a grill like the one at the original Someburger. Each day we should let God season us with His word. Someburger is known for a great hamburger. What are you known for?
Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
This morning I was running a little behind schedule and the dawn was breaking. I was looking at the cloud formations; thinking, is this the day? Is this the day that Christ will appear in the clouds? Or will this be the day He calls me home? What a glorious day that will be when my work here is done. The question I ask is, are you ready? If today is the last day for you here, will you leave things undone?
Revelation 1:7 (ESV)
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
A power cord, better known as an extension cord, once plugged into a power source can allow that power to be received away from the source. In Ephesians 6 Paul encourages believers to put on the whole armor of God. Not only do we need the power that comes from the Father, but Paul asks us to pray for him as well as other Saints. We can share the power when we have the power in us. Take time today to digest the power of God’s word and then spread His word to others.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10
Some 20 years ago when we moved into our home, I planted six trees. I wanted good strong trees that would have little maintenance. I selected Live Oaks, which I considered the perfect tree for our yard. Yes, slow growing, but a strong tree for our area. When we had our first hurricane come through, I saw how they could not stand up to the strong winds. I was pulling them back up as the winds blew them down. Now some 15 years later when this last storm came through, they withstood the winds. They had matured growing close to each other. When strong winds come at us, it is the roots of other believers around us that help us withstand the pressures.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
I have never owned a horse, but I have dogs. The principle is the same. I can fill their bowls with water and I can show the dogs where the water is located. Until they have a thirst, they won't drink. We are called to share the gospel, it's not our job to force them to receive the gospel, but it is our job to lead them to the water to make sure that they know when they're thirsty where the water can be found.
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Show someone where the eternal water may be found today!
Gone are the days of having just one doctor. When I go and see my doctor about an issue, more than likely he will give me a referral to a specialist. In fact, my primary physician is unable to do surgeries. He can poke and prod, but he cannot cut. As believers, we have one book, the Holy Bible, that serves as a specialist for every situation in which we find ourselves. We are instructed to hide its words in our hearts and to meditate on it for our benefit. How much time do you spend in the Word?
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As I drove in this morning, I drove through many conversations that I did not see, nor did I hear. I did see the cell towers and guessed that they were in use. I even wondered if more people were talking on their phones or if more people were praying.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
This morning as I was driving into the office, I noticed the street light was working. I also noticed that there was a power line attached to the light. Without some source of power, the light would not be able to do the task set before it. We like the streetlight have a task. We are to be the light into the world. Our source of power comes not from our strength and experience, but from the Holy Spirit. When we become a believer, we are filled with all the power we will ever need to be a bright and shining light for our Lord and Savior.
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
There was a car wreck that resulted in a fire on the freeway this past weekend. Many motorists saw the tragedy. A couple of motorists jumped out of their cars to give aid to those who were in the wrecked car. These witnesses became heroes because of their actions. We have a God who doesn’t just watch our lives but moves into action. We need to praise Him as our hero, even when we don’t see or understand why we are walking where we are.
Proverbs 2:6-8 (ESV)
6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Strong winds whipped through our area this past week. Many trees could not stand the pressure of the storm and fell, taking down power lines. When adversity comes against us as believers, will we stand? We are to be a witness in the midst of trials. Our strength to stand will come by the depth of our roots in God's word. Have you read His Word today?
Luke 21:19 CSB
[19] By your endurance, gain your lives.
The morning news seems riddled with stories of violence from the night before. Fear has a way of paralyzing. Many times I have seen or even allowed fear to keep me from doing Kingdom work. We need to be reminded that our protector will provide what we need when we are in task for Him.
Psalm 91:1-3 CSB
[1] … The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say concerning the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: [3] He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. …
Yesterday morning Alexa woke me up with news that an Astro was traded overnight due to poor performance. I was so relieved when I thought that our Lord does not trade us when we have poor performance.
He will never leave or forsake us.
We need to constantly strive for perfection and putting the past behind us as we ask for forgiveness.
Have a God filled day pressing on towards the prize that lies before us.
This past week a good friend flew me to a little airstrip at Cayon Lake. We entered into several different air spaces (different air traffic controllers manage air spaces) along the flight. As we were leaving an air space the controller of that space would give us a radio frequency to tune to. This allowed us to make a connection with the controller of the new air space we were entering. Each controller of the air spaces that we entered would tell us at what altitude to fly. As we walk through life, many people want to control our actions or even tell us where we should be going and how to get there. There is only one voice we need to listen to regardless of where we find ourselves.
John 10:27-28 (ESV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Unlike modern lighthouses, which are used as warnings, ancient towers were used as entrance markers to ports. They were built because they had a very important job to do. Their task was to guide ships safely into a port. We have much in common with lighthouses.
I also know for a fact that you too were created on purpose with a purpose and plan to fulfill. We were created to share the gospel light to give the lost directions to enter into eternal life with the giver of life. Are we busy doing our created task?
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Since my surgery in January, I have been on a heart-healthy diet. Unfortunately, Whataburger is not considered heart healthy. I long for a Whataburger, my way. That would be no mayo or onions and add cheese. Would I like to super-size my meal? Sure, but I must exercise some self-control. As much as I crave a burger, it’s not considered heart-healthy no matter how it’s made.
As believers, we are to rid ourselves of worldly desires. Things that are unnecessary or not considered healthy for us shouldn’t be on our so-called diet. And no cheating allowed! We should strive to be perfect, so we must stick to our spiritual diet every day.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Jacob did not wrestle with God. It was God who wrestled with Jacob. There are times when we want something from God and we think that we can win God over. When God wrestles with us we realize as Jacob did, we are no match for Him. Instead, we wrestle with evil.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Yet we can find victory when we don’t wrestle in our own strength, but the strength of God.
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
As teams were placed in the bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament, the teams were also given a predicted outcome. Some teams seemed unbeatable, but on any given day any team can be beat.
As Believers, we have an advocator that can not be beat. Yes, we may lose a fight, but we will not lose the battle. We are told to fear not.
Instead of fear, God has given us:
• Power—not just physical power, but power that comes from deep within.
• Love—not an emotional attraction to someone, but a powerful force that desires the highest good for those around us.
• Sound judgment—having mental soundness that is related to doing the right things and accurately assessing the truth.
As we approach challenges, we must not fear our opponents, but exercise power, love, and soundness of mind in a day of greatness in competition.
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7
