The Olympics are quickly approaching. Are you going to watch it? If so, what excites you about it?
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
One of the biggest things about the Olympics, that draws us in, is that it only happens every 4 years. For many athletes it is a once in a lifetime chance to show what they’re capable of accomplishing. It is this all or nothing, “go for the gold” attitude that brings fans to their feet in applause for the victors.
I have never heard any competitor say, “I just wanted to run on the Olympic track. That’s good enough for me. I don’t need to give my best.” That would be the craziest thing ever. No one would want to watch that athlete.
Yet, in the Christian walk, how often do we see this attitude.
“I’m saved and going to Heaven. That’s good enough for me.”
These believers will go to church on Sunday. But they don’t want to inconvenience themselves for God or His work. There is no passion in their walk. There is no drive or vision for what the Lord can do in and through them.
We need to take inventory of ourselves. What kind of a runner am I? Am I content to just sit back and let others win the prize? Or do I want to give it everything I have within me?
We need to pick up the “Olympic spirit” in our spiritual walk. Go for the gold. Let the Holy Spirit inspire you to accomplish great things for God. Through Him, we can do above and beyond all we could ever imagine that we could do. Be that victorious believer, who runs the race from a heart on fire for Christ.
Tags: athlete, Bible, calling, Christian, church, destiny, devotion, drive, encouragement, go for the gold, God's will, higher, Holy Spirit, Olympics, overcoming, passion, power, prepare, prize, runner, spiritual walk, strength, take inventory, victory, vision
John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The Jews and the Samaritans worshipped God on two different mountains. The woman speaking to Jesus in this verse was starting to get uncomfortable with where the conversation was heading. She thought that she could start an argument about which was the right place. Fortunately the Lord was not distracted from His objective by her question.
Jesus answered that God is Spirit. He knows no physical limitations as to time and place. He explained to the woman that anywhere you worshipped God was the right place. This is a great blessing to us.
Worshipping God is one of the greatest experiences you could have. It doesn’t matter where you set aside the place. The key is that we come into His presence in spirit and in truth. To be alone with the Lord is something you cannot afford to miss.
Take the opportunity today to worship in His presence. Worship Him in spirit and truth, as He calls us to. You will find it to be one of the high points of your day.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, distractions, encouragement, fellowship, Holy Spirit, holy worship, intimacy, Jesus Christ, mountain, mountaintop, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, spirit and truth, worship
Job 38:22-27
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?”
When my wife and I were first married, we lived in a house by a lake. When thunderstorms would come through, you could see them getting closer from miles away. I would love to shut all the lights in the house and sit on the front porch to watch them.
Then, when we moved to Maryland, we lived in a townhouse. I had to walk a couple of blocks to a playground for an open view to the west. I could watch the storms from there. Usually, I was able to time it pretty well – I knew exactly when to start running home so I would make it before the downpour hit.
I do enjoy watching a thunderstorm approach – it reminds me that there are things in this world beyond our control. It is easy to see that truth illustrated by the weather. In society, where electricity, cars, and computers put the illusion of control at our fingertips, it is harder to grasp that concept. Usually we only realize how frail we are when something breaks down or a natural disaster occurs.
We need to place our whole lives in God’s hands. Only then will we be secure from the storms of life. We can then watch the approach with the confidence that comes from knowing that we are safely sheltered in His unshakable arms. Whether you have done it in the past or not, today would be a good day to go before God and place your whole life in His care – you will be glad that you did.
Tags: Bible, Christian, control, devotion, disciple, distractions, downpour, encouragement, faith, fear, God's faithfulness, God's hands, God's protection, overcoming, prayer, prepare, problems, protection, storms, thunderstorms, trust, victory, weather
Psalm 22:4-5
In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Today is the day set aside to honor our fathers. We should especially look to the godly men who exemplified the Christian walk to us. Those who went before us, leading the way.
Many of them had to walk through troubled times – be it economic, physical, or social. Some had to go through the dangers of war, while others had to struggle for equality. We must look to those whose strength came from the hand of God working in them. They set for us an example of diligence and perseverance. Let the legacy they left for us speak to our hearts and equip us for our race.
But even greater than their contribution to us, is the God that they served. He is the ultimate Father that we look to. When we look back and see what was accomplished by our God through the cooperation of our fathers, it gives us hope. We need that same level of faith that they had.
God is still on the throne. The same God who brought our fathers through their trials will safely lead us to victory. His love for us was proven in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must never forget where our help comes from.
Look to the faith of our fathers. Then, as we follow their example, put that faith in the God of our fathers. He will work in us the same way He worked in them.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, Christian walk, Christian witness, devotion, disciple, encouragement, example, faith, father, Father's Day, fathers, God of our fathers, God's faithfulness, God's love, Jesus Christ, legacy, prepare, problems, strength, testimony, trust, victory
God has given you many precious promises. Some are in the Scripture, while others are more personal – between God and you. How real are they to you?
Deuteronomy 34:1-2
Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land – from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea.
Sometimes, when you’re alone with God, He will take you for a mountaintop view of the promise. Maybe it will deal with your calling, career, family, relationships, or some other area of your life. At that point you will see clearly what He has in store for you, even if He doesn’t always show the path by which He will take you there.
It is always God’s will to share His plans with His people, the problem is, we are not always listening. The Lord waits until He has our undivided attention so that He can speak to us clearly and without distraction.
He wants to show you a glimpse of His plan for you. It will encourage you and strengthen you for the road ahead. Always be ready for these moments of clarity. Unfortunately, these times are few and far between in our lives. Missing the chance that the Lord offers will hurt your progress, but responding to His call will affect the rest of your life.
Use your time wisely. Spend quality time in His presence, listening for His voice. Seek to know His will for your life.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christian, destiny, devotion, distractions, encouragement, God's faithfulness, God's voice, God's will, higher, Holy Spirit, listening, listening heart, mountain, mountaintop, overcoming, path, power, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, promise, promises, strength, trust, undivided attention
Exodus 4:19-20
Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead.” So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
Moses had been away from his adopted home in Egypt for a long while. But in this time of his life, God was calling him to go back. He had a mission from God – to set his people free. Even so, it still required a wilderness journey.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to leave a comfortable place. Many people have had to move for various reasons. I have had to make a move a few times. It’s not that tough to pack up and fill boxes. But when the moving truck is all loaded and you are looking into an empty house or apartment – a subtle transformation occurs.
Suddenly, without warning, the place that you’ve called home for this part of your life is no longer yours. Now you’re on the road and headed for a new destination.
We may be very content where our life is right now. Then, when God calls us to a higher level, we can never be satisfied this way again. Remember that we need to be a people who are packed and ready to go. This world is not our home and the things of this world will never truly fulfill us.
When you go before the Lord today reiterate to Him your total commitment to following His path for your life – no matter where it leads. Thank Him for your destiny in Him. Then be open and listening for any course changes He may speak to you this day.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christian, comfortable, content, course change, destination, destiny, devotion, disciple, encouragement, faith, higher, move, overcoming, path, prepare, satisfied, trust
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
In this passage, the prophet Samuel is rebuking King Saul. He had disobeyed a direct command of God for “religious” reasons. Saul said that he was going to give God a sacrifice instead. In his rebuke, Samuel gives us a principle that we would do well to remember.
Obedience to God is always better than any sacrifice we can make. It doesn’t matter whether you’re putting money in an offering plate or offering up a “sacrifice of praise.” Obedience trumps sacrifice every time.
The reason is that sacrifice can be manipulated. It can be motivated by self-will or arrogance. Obedience, on the other hand, honors God by putting Him directly in the center of what we’re doing. Usually, total obedience to God can only be accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Not only is God the focus, but He is also the One who strengthens us.
A good example of this is Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He cried out to God He said, “If it is Your will, take this cup [dying on the cross] from me.” Then He told the Father that it was not His own will that was important, but the Father’s. The Lord’s prayer that day was in accordance with the principle of Samuel. What Jesus wanted didn’t matter – it was the Father’s will that was supreme.
Our “cup” and God’s will are two totally different things until we allow the Lord to merge them. Our highest goal should be to know God’s will and obey it. More than any other part of our lives, this is our highest call.
Tags: arrogance, Bible, calling, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, Garden of Gethsemane, God's will, highest call, honor God, obedience, offering, praise, prayer, prepare, sacrifice, self-will
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
Luke 4:42-44
At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Very frequently Jesus went off alone into the wilderness. Usually He would go to pray and to meditate on the Word while seeking the Father’s will for the days ahead. Many times He wouldn’t even tell His disciples where He was going. This caused the people and His disciples to become annoyed on more than one occasion.
Most people don’t understand the power of solitude. When you are alone you can see the way ahead more clearly. Walking in the Spirit is a lot more efficient than the trial and error method most Christians use. “I’ll try going forward, if the door closes I’ll try another direction.” You usually only end up with a sore nose.
When you spend quality time with the Lord seeking His will for your life, you don’t have to waste your time on all these dead end paths that lead nowhere. Jesus knew where He was going before He was surrounded by the crowds of people. They couldn’t sway Him from His path by their persuasive arguments. It is that level of guidance you should be seeking from God.
Open your heart up to the Lord in solitary, quiet places. Let Him show you His plan for your life. Then you can walk in confidence before Him.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, encouragement, God's will, Holy Spirit, intimacy, Jesus Christ, meditation, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, solitary place, solitude, trial and error, walking in the spirit
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
The Spirit and the Word 