1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Physical training and exercise is good. We need to be in shape if we want to do our best work for God. I firmly believe that God wants us to take proper care of our physical bodies.
That, however, is only part of the story. We also are to be in shape spiritually. Our inner being requires just as much care and attention as the outer. Unfortunately, most Christians ignore this fact to their own detriment. Of the two of these goals, I believe that keeping our spiritual life in shape is the tougher assignment.
One of the reasons I enjoy hiking so much is that wilderness training can meet both needs – physical and spiritual. On the one hand, I have lost thirty pounds since I started hiking and I can now run up a flight of stairs without breathing heavy. On the other side of the coin, through my time spent with the Lord in the woods I have developed a new depth of insight into the Word of God. In the wilderness, prayer and meditation can be accomplished for hours at a time with little or no interruptions. At the same time you are increasing your physical endurance.
However you choose to work out your spiritual training, this is a good day to deepen your walk with the Lord. Seek Him as you walk before God this day.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, godliness, hiking, Holy Spirit, in shape, meditation, overcoming, physical training, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, spiritual, spiritual life, strength, victory
There is nothing worse than being lost. Confusion, fear and depression can take over. If you are not careful you can end up simply going in circles.
Life is the same way. There are thousands of conflicting paths that all intersect at our feet each morning. Without a guide we’re lost. How can we make sense of it all? Which path will bring us to the place we want to be?
Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
The Holy Spirit wants to lead us though the tangled network of choices that lay before us. Only He knows the outcome of each path, whether taken or not. He has the wisdom to bring us victoriously into the destiny God has prepared for each of us personally.
There is no better place to start hearing the voice of the Lord than in a quiet place of prayer each morning. Here you can be free of the distractions that are constantly begging for your attention. Use your time in the Lord’s presence to strengthen your relationship with Him. I know that you will find that it is time well spent, as your path grows clearer before you.
Tags: Bible, Christian, destiny, devotion, disciple, distractions, encouragement, God's leading, God's will, God's wisdom, guidance, Holy Spirit, leading, lost, path, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, victory, wisdom
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
It is not always easy to press on. Sometimes it is an effort just to put one foot in front of the other. Hikers and joggers have learned to just keep moving forward. There have been times when I was hiking that, because of injury or pain, I have felt like giving up. It is in times like those that I had to keep telling myself, “As long as you keep taking each step, you will come to the end of the trail.”
It is the same thing in life. It is usually not the big things that knock us down, but the continual monotony of our daily lives, day after day, week after week. It is the constant grind that saps our strength and weakens our spirit.
In order to overcome, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We know that if we keep to His course for our lives, we will come out with His result. We will lay hold of the prize for which He has called us.
Don’t give up. Go to the Lord today and ask for His strength for the road ahead. Don’t live a day without allowing His renewing Spirit to work in your life.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christ, Christian, daily grind, devotion, disciple, effort, encouragement, faith, giving up, glory, God's faithfulness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, monotony, move forward, overcoming, path, prayer, press on, problems, renew, renewal, strength, trust, victory
Abraham was an intercessor. He was concerned about people he didn’t even know. The following passage takes place when the Lord told Abraham about His plans to judge the cities around Sodom.
Genesis 18:22-24
The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?”
There was a Bible scholar, Dr, Joseph Parker, who had some insightful things to say about the intercession of Abraham. He made four observations (I will put them in bold type) that I think are very applicable to the church today.
1. “God holds inquest upon the moral conditions of cities.” I believe that even though we, as individuals, live under grace, God treats cities and nations differently. Many times a city will sow injustice and reap disaster. That’s why I call all believers to pray for the USA. As a nation we cannot keep telling God to keep out, and then expect Him to protect us from catastrophe.
2. “God is accessible to earnest human appeal.” That is the basis of intercession. We need to be spending quality time in prayer for our families, friends, neighbors, and officials. That’s when we see the miraculous happen. When God’s people join with God in His work.
3. “The few can serve the many.” Sure, there are very few Christians that take the call to prayer seriously. Just look at the difference in attendance between a church dinner and a prayer meeting. The fact is, it doesn’t take a lot. God only looks for a few committed intercessors who are willing to “stand in the gap” for those around them.
4. “Human prayers fall below Divine resources.” One thing I know beyond a doubt – our prayers never even scratch the surface of God’s ability. From our perspective the task looks so daunting. The problem seems insurmountable. Yet to God, it is a simple thing for Him. He specializes in the impossible. Our prayers don’t even come close to challenging Him.
Answer the call to intercession. Our cities and nation are in desperate need of a move of God. Be on the cutting edge of the Lord’s work. Cry out to Him and see His power manifest in our lifetime.
Tags: Abraham, Bible, calling, Christian, church, devotion, disciple, encouragement, God's will, intercession, intercessor, intimacy, prayer, presence of the lord, revival, Sodom, sowing and reaping, victory
James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
This verse is referencing our Heavenly Father. In the book of James He is called the Father of Heavenly Lights. It is His light shining on us that brings us life. In His love and wisdom He sent Christ into the world to bring us life.
This verse is clear. We have been given a new birth. A birth that was not of flesh and blood like our original entrance into this world. This birth was through the Word of Truth. I believe that James is referring to something more than the Bible, as wonderful as that Word is. It is a Word that speaks to our inner being.
One of the names of Christ is the Word made flesh. He was not a matter of ink and paper coming alive. He is the living and enduring Word of the Most High God. Christ said of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” He is the direct expression of the Word of Truth.
It is through this Word, Christ Himself, that we have been given new birth – if we have accepted the free gift of His salvation. He did this so that He could begin the renovation of the human race in us. That is what the last part of this verse is all about. The firstfruits of all He created.
This is the beginnings of the kingdom of God manifest on earth. Right now it is difficult to see. It is taking root in the hearts of men and women throughout the world. But they are changing, becoming what God intended them to be. His Kingdom is starting in us.
The more time I spend in the presence of that Word, the more I become like Him. Don’t ever take the presence of the Lord for granted. It is a privilege to have access to the throne room of God. It was paid for by the precious blood of Christ. Let the living Word do the work in you that only He can do. Spend quality time with Him today.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, firstfruits, God the Father, God's word, Holy Spirit, holy worship, intimacy, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, living word, new birth, overcoming, presence of the lord, revival, testimony, word, word of truth
1Thessalonians 1:2-3
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith, hope, and love – they are the three things that the Bible says will be with us eternally. Too often we think about them in spiritual terms. We get the idea that these are just good feelings that Christians should enjoy. Like they are wonderful gifts that should be tucked quietly away in our hearts.
NO WAY!!! Faith, hope, and love are the sparks that ignite our ministry before God. There are three different things that happen as a result of their influence on us.
First, faith produces our work. That word literally means your assignment. It is the task that God has given you. As you go before God in faith, He gives you grace for the calling He has placed upon your life. Faith causes you to stand in your assignment.
Then comes love – it prompts us to labor. That word means to use up your strength in performing a task. Without the love of God, we will never pour ourselves into the calling He has placed upon us. We are called to work with all of our strength. Without love, that will never happen.
Finally, hope inspires endurance. It’s easy to start out strong, but it’s how we finish that matters the most. Hope is the biblical word for expectation. If I do my part, then I can expect God to show up and do His part. That’s what keeps me going even when I don’t feel like it. Hope gives you the endurance to persevere to the end.
Let faith, hope, and love give you more than just a warm feeling. Let them spur you on to accomplishing your destiny in the Lord’s Kingdom.
Tags: assignment, Bible, calling, Christian, destiny, devotion, disciple, encouragement, endurance, expectation, faith, God's faithfulness, God's will, hope, labor, love, ministry, prepare, strength, victory, work
Exodus 13:20-22
After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
God was everything that Israel needed in the desert. By day He was a pillar of cloud to shield them from the desert sun. By night He was a pillar of blazing fire to warm them in the cold night air. But even more than that – night or day – they could see God clearly and follow the path He was marking out for them.
God will go before us in our lives as well, if we let Him. Our job is to look for the signs of His guidance. He wants to make the path clear before us. Even when we go through dark times – when it seems that we can’t go on, He will make a way for us to come through victoriously.
As drivers, many of us put our complete trust in the GPS receiver on our dashboards. We will turn any direction it tells us to go. If only we would follow God’s Word the same way, we would have a life that was truly worth living.
Turn your path over to God today. Let Him be your daily guide. Enter into the freedom that comes from knowing that the road ahead has already been mapped out. Commit yourself to following after the only true Guide of our souls.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, direction, disciple, encouragement, freedom, God's faithfulness, God's leading, God's will, GPS, guidance, guide, Holy Spirit, path, prayer, presence of the lord, victory
Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
There was a preacher in the early 1900’s by the name of Adelaide Pollard. She had a traveling ministry that was quite successful. But, she desired to do more. She wanted to take a missionary trip to Africa – that was her heart’s desire.
In order to fulfill this dream, she tried to raise the support needed to send her there. In spite of all of her efforts, the money was just not coming in. The more she thought about it, the more discouraged she became. It was almost to the point of depression.
One night she decided to attend a local prayer meeting. As she was there, Adelaide began to listen to the prayers going up to the throne of God. One in particular caught her attention. It was a simple request spoken by an elderly believer.
“It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your way in our lives.”
When the would-be missionary heard those words, they arrested her. She couldn’t shake the grip of the Holy Spirit speaking to her heart through them.
Later on, when she was home, Adelaide read the words of Jeremiah chapter 18, speaking of his trip to the potter’s house. Suddenly it all came into focus for her. It wasn’t about the money or the trip to Africa, but about God’s will for her life. That night, before she went to sleep, she had the entire hymn written.
This is a lesson that we all need to learn, as believers. It is not our agenda that is important. Our goal should be to let God have His way in our lives. After all, we are His people, He has redeemed us. And, it is His plan that will ultimately bring about the victory in our lives.
Go before God with this attitude today. It is not about my will, but Yours, Lord.
“Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me, after thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still.”
Tags: Adelaide Pollard, Bible, calling, Christian, cross, devotion, disciple, encouragement, faith, God's faithfulness, God's will, have thine own way Lord, Holy Spirit, holy worship, hymn, missionary, overcoming, prayer, prayer meeting, presence of the lord, trust, victory
Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’”
At one point in Jesus’ ministry, His disciples came to Him with a question. They understood the power of Christ was based upon His prayer life. They wanted to learn how to walk in that kind of intimacy with God. So, they came to Jesus for His word on the matter.
Of course, the Lord was more than willing to show the disciples the starting point for a rich relationship with God. Yes, I said starting point. The so called Lord’s Prayer is not the ultimate prayer we can offer. It is the first baby step that Christ gave to His followers so that they might walk the path of prayer.
This short glimpse into the realm of prayer is the foundation for all of the things we converse with God about. It is so rich in truth that I will have many future posts dedicated to this teaching of Christ. But for now, I want to talk about the focus of this prayer – the One to whom it is addressed.
OUR FATHER! Some of the most amazing words in Scripture. Jesus didn’t say, “My Father.” He called God “Our Father.” This is something that the people of God need a fresh revelation of. The God of Heaven, Creator of the universe, Savior of all mankind, allows me to call Him “Father.”
There is a lot of blessing tied up in that name. He is not a god far off and unconcerned with our needs. Our Father cares about us, no matter how great or small the matter we bring before Him. He is not a god looking for a reason to destroy us for any little fault. Our Father loves us and wants the best for us – leading us with His hand of mercy and grace.
Spend some quality time getting to know our Father today. Meditate upon this all encompassing truth. Let it reshape your prayer life so that it is something you look forward to each day.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, faith, fellowship, God's faithfulness, God's love, intimacy, Jesus Christ, Lord's Prayer, Our Father, prayer, prayer life, prepare, presence of the lord, relationship
Luke 1:76-80
“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins… to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
This Scripture concerns the ministry of John the Baptist, who was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. It is interesting to note that John lived in the wilderness for years in preparation for his public ministry. One of the things that was spoken of him in this text is that he would “guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Being a guide assumes that you have walked the path already. John must have learned many lessons as he spent time in the wilderness, alone with God. These needed to be in place within his life before he ever spoke to the crowds. God seems to do the best work on our hearts in the private, intimate times that we have with Him.
It is important that we take the time to get into that private “prayer closet” with the Lord. You need to be looking forward to these times as great learning experiences. We need to spend time with Him away from all the distractions and commitments that are constantly crying out for our attention. As you look back, you will find that the lessons learned and the inner growth accomplished have made your time in the presence of God far richer and rewarding than it would have been otherwise.
As you go before the Lord this day, thank Him for the experiences that are still ahead of you on your walk with Him. Let the Lord know your willingness to be a guide to those who are coming behind you on the spiritual journey.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, disciple, distractions, encouragement, God's will, guide, Holy Spirit, inner growth, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, overcoming, path, prayer, prayer closet, prepare, presence of the lord, private times, public ministry, spiritual journey, testimony
The Spirit and the Word 