God’s GPS (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Years ago, for work, I was a traveling sales representative. I remember having a very large, spiral bound map book of the US. I logged countless hours and miles in my travels in those days. Technologically speaking, we have traveled a long way since those days. Like most of you, I use my GPS extensively in my travels. To say the least, it has put the map book out of business, although I still have my map book.

When traveling abroad or to an area I’m unfamiliar with, I travel with my GPS. The GPS lets you know where you are and where you need to go. Once you enter your destination, within seconds you have detailed directions anywhere in the world. It is so detailed that it allows you to begin your journey from the place you are currently at. From the location you are currently at, it will take you to your desired destination. All you have to do is trust it (Psalm 119:105; 48:14).

At times, we may feel like we are off course. Perhaps we feel like we have taken a wrong turn or failed to make a turn and believe we are heading in the wrong direction all because the way doesn’t seem right. As with the GPS, if we get off course, the GPS doesn’t shut down; its reconfigures. It turns us around and gives us a detailed path to put us back on course. We may ignore the GPS, but it still continues to configurate and never stops. So, it is with the Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us. However, the LORD is with us at every turn. God has a plan for your life. If we trusted the Lord the same way we trust our GPS, life would be far less complicated. Many people fail to embrace His plan because they do not realize the starting point. Right here, right now, God is inviting all of us to follow Him, to trust Him, and to listen to Him. Like a GPS, as soon as we deviate from the designed path charted for us, the device lets us know we have gone off course; so it is with the Spirit of God. Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

He has mapped this way, He has scouted the trail, He has charted the course. He has already surveyed the scenery and knows the exact turns we should take. Start at your current location and listen to His instruction and guidance. Right here, right now you can begin to trust God. Not only will you get to your desired location, you’ll enjoy the trip.

Faith is like a GPS:
1. You Have to Listen for Direction
2. You Have to Start Where You Are
3. You will have to Re-route from Time to Time
4. You will be Responsible for the Drive

Life doesn’t always follow a planned route. At times in our Christian walk, we come to a juncture and we need to know the direction God has for us. At other times, the road may be filled with obstacles, littered with pot holes, or tied up in “construction”. Just like David, we need to hear God’s advice and counsel. Here is the great part; all we have to do is turn on our GPS (God’s Positioning System). He is our creator, our Father, and friend. God says in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Just as a compass can guide sailors through dark and uncharted waters, God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. We must simply trust it—over our feelings, over our own wisdom, and over contrary advice others may give us.

He will never lead us down the wrong route or leave us when the road gets rough. Although we may not always understand why He steers us on a particular road, we can be confident that He knows how to get us safely to our final destination. Jim Elliot said, “It’s His (God’s) business to lead, command, send, and call…it is your business to obey, follow, move, respond.” If we don't know where we are going, find out which way God is moving and then get going in the same direction.

Throughout Scripture we are reminded of God’s direction over our lives. He is our good Shepherd who leads us and He desires that we follow the path that leads to joy and contentment. When we pray for God’s guidance and for discernment through the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that God will provide wisdom! We do not have to worry about our next step or about tomorrow because we know Who guides our way! God not only knows the way – He knows the best way, and He knows the way you should take today. By faith, trust Him, listen to Him, and enjoy the ride. Do not rush your day without going before God to seek guidance!

We should not trust in our own understanding because our understanding cannot be trusted. That’s because we ourselves cannot be trusted. And here we find just how counter-cultural these two verses really are, for if we can’t trust our own hearts, then the entire culture of “follow your own heart” and “do what makes you happy” is a lie. Surely, if we are honest with ourselves we know it to be true. How many times have our feelings told us to do something only to find the end in ruins? How many times have we trusted our gut only to find ourselves in the midst of anger or bitterness or sin? How many times have we pursued our own happiness instead of dying to ourselves to find that we have hurt those around us? No, our hearts cannot be trusted. And consequently, we need something better than ourselves to trust in. Which, of course, leads us back to the proverb. The culture around us would say, “Trust in yourself with all your heart, for you have all the understanding you need. In all your ways, be true to yourself, and your path will always be straight.” But Jesus loves us enough to tell us the truth.

Question to Consider:
Who do you listen to when seeking direction in life?

Point to Ponder:
We must not try to direct our own lives, but yield to the direction of Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

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Spirit-Filled Family (Ephesians 6:1-4)
 
Ephesians 6:1-4, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
 
This passage is essential, not only for the day of Paul, but for every generation. It is particularly vital for our day and time. Our generation is a generation of problem children and problem parents, and one of the major causes of the pressure is the failure to heed the instructions of God's Word. Children and parents are to walk together under God's authority. This is a command that has sounded out through the ages and is needed more in our day than ever before. Never in history have children been so disobedient and disrespectful to parents as in this present day. Noah Webster defines obey as "to comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior, or with the requirements of law, moral, political or municipal; to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited." According to James Strong the word obey means "to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority." This is an interesting word. It was used in Bible times of a doorkeeper. He first heard the knock, then acted upon what he heard by opening the door. The meaning here is that the child is to listen, then act in accordance to what he hears. This word combines both the responsibilities of hearing and doing. Children are to listen to their parents with earnest attention and respond positively to what is heard. Children are to obediently and humbly put themselves under the words and authority of their parents. Understand that delayed obedience is disobedience and incomplete obedience is disobedience. There is no middle ground. Obedience is not an option.
 
Four reasons why children should obey their parents.
1)      It is the right thing to do.
2)      It is written in the laws of God.
3)      It will go well with them to do so.
4)      It will add years to their life in the flesh.
 
The word children refers to children still living at home. It is worth noting love that is balanced with submission and a serving spirit brings about blessing. There are two places where Spirit-filled living shows up most—home and work. Children were made by God to glorify God. This great purpose is partly lived out by honoring & obeying their parents in the Lord. Obey means "to submit, to listen, to respond.” Children are to listen to and obey their parents (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 13:1; 15:5; 23:22).
 
A common complaint from teenagers is "My parents don't understand me. They just don’t get it". Teenagers especially need to remember who chose their parents. Who did? God! God chose your parents and in your mother's womb. He took 23 chromosomes from each parent, to give you exactly the traits you need to fulfill His will for your life (Psalm 139:13). So, when you put down your parents, you are putting down God. You didn't choose your parents, but remember your parents didn't choose you either. A Spirit-filled child respectfully obeys his or her parents.
 
The word honor means "to hold worthy; to value; to respect."  Respect and honor for parents is of such grave importance to God that Moses commanded: (Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9). Honor and obedience are very different. Obedience has to do with action, honor has to do with attitude. Not only are young people to obey their parents, they are to think right and have a good attitude about it. You may not always understand your parent's decisions and directions, but you are to honor and respect them.
 
Children are observing their parents'. They are witnessing their parents’ relationships to the Lord. The first picture of God children receive is from their parents. Children are watching how their parents obey God. They are watching them pray, study the Bible, and worship. Children are observing how their parents value the church. They are watching how their parents are speaking truth lovingly, working honestly, giving generously, encouraging others properly, putting away bitterness and anger repentantly, and forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:25-32). They will get a sense of authority, love, and protection from their parents. As they see and treasure this example, it will inevitably point them to the ultimate Father. Behavior flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23; 20:5; 23:26). Speak to the hearts of your children as you teach them about Christ.
 
There are more but here are four issues that will provoke a child.
1)Failing to accept the fact that things do change.
2)Overcontrolling a child will also provoke a child to wrath.
3)Undercontrolling a child can provoke a child.
4)Living an inconsistent life before a child can provoke a child.
 
A PRAYER FOR YOUR CHILDREN: Father in Heaven, help me to be the example You would have me to be before my child. I ask that You stir my child’s heart towards obedience. I pray they would be inspired to love You and to serve You faithfully. In Jesus name AMEN!
 
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WARNING: It’s Getting Very Close (Matthew 24:1-13)

Matthew 24:1-13, “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

We've all read the warning posted on the side-view mirror of our vehicles “objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” This cautionary statement is in place to give us a proper perspective on our surroundings. It serves to remind us of the distance and space of those vehicles around us. What seems to be reality is just a little skewed, therefore, adjust accordingly as you drive. If we were to look in the mirror of our prophetical surroundings I believe we would see the same warning. Whether we realize it or not, the return of the Lord is closer than it may seem. The apostle Peter warned that “scoffers” would question the return of Jesus in the last days. The church at large is so busy, so active, moving so quickly down life’s highway that we fail to discern the signs of the times. I wonder if we really anticipate His return on a day-to-day basis. Considering the way people “drive” their lives, it is hard to imagine that His return is in the forefront of our thinking. Whether we are ready for it or not, He is coming back; and when He returns He is sure to stop traffic. Check your spiritual bearings, the climate of the world, and the promise of Scripture — His return is closer than it may appear.

Genesis 6:3-5, “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The vile imaginations of men were allowed full expression. The world wallowed in filth, so much so that the Lord declared that He was putting a time limit to His patience. Genesis 6:3, “The Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh.” He set a time limit of 120 years; He was not prepared to tolerate the vileness of the human race beyond that limit. Just before Jesus went to the cross, He gave us His warning signs for the end of the age (Matthew 24-25). In that prophecy, He said, among other things, that He was coming back when conditions on the earth paralleled conditions in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39). When we read the Biblical account of the days of Noah in Genesis 4-6 and compare our day with his, we see quite clearly that we have now arrived at the point to which the Lord was referring. In Noah's day, the number of genuine believers was an ever-decreasing minority of the total world population. By the time of the Flood, there were only eight people left who believed enough in God and His wrath to accept shelter in the ark. Craving for occult experiences is growing rapidly today. So-called psychics are regular guests on talk shows. We have spiritism, satanism, witchcraft, New Age philosophies, and so on. Cults, which have always been rooted in demonism, are making an increasing appeal in America. The most culturally enlightened, scientifically oriented, literate, and educated society that has ever lived on earth has turned its back on God, His Word, and have followed and pursued after ghosts and witches, demons and astrology, psychics and prophets, soothsayers and mediums. As it was in the days of Noah, so it is today. We are living in a world of violent crime. The crime clock ticks faster and faster. In the United States, for instance, a murder is committed every thirty-four minutes, a woman is sexually assaulted or raped every two minutes, and a house is robbed every nine seconds. Young people commit most of the violent crimes in America, yet many judges refuse to admit that there is such a thing as a bad boy. Even when a youth is convicted, he may not be put away for months, and sometimes he is not put away at all. As a result, young criminals laugh at a justice system that treats them as socially deprived individuals, more to be pitied than punished.

II Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

These perilous times are upon us today. Evil people have always vexed society, but for more than 2,000 years Christians have acted as a measure of restraint. Today, however, Christian standards of morality and decency have been swept aside. Perversion flaunts itself unashamedly and boastfully. Courts, colleges, and communications media are showing increasing bias against the truth and morals of the Bible. We are seeing before our own eyes a rise in wars, earthquakes, rise in diseases, starvation, AI, digital ID, sorcery, sodomy, decline in church attendance, good called evil and evil called good, peace contracts, false religions, rebellious children, hatred of Jews, persecution, ingratitude, and so on. We have arrived at "the last days." It seems like every day we see the news headlines filled with horrible stories of wicked behavior, even within families. Parents killing children, children killing parents, business leaders breaking laws, and violent criminals being set free all reveal a society that is experiencing the judgment of God for turning away from Him. Though these headlines are shocking, the problem of evil in human behavior is not new. The tendency of seeking to throw off God's restraints and live however people choose is woven throughout human history. Psalms 2:2-3, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” Paul warned Timothy in his second epistle that the world would continue to turn away from God, but he also told Timothy what to do in response. II Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” While it may be easy to allow ourselves to be discouraged by the evil we see around us, we should never lose sight of three truths: 1. God is in control and we are on the winning side. 2. We have the message that a lost world needs to hear. 3. God's plan is for those of us who are His children to be the means by which people are brought to Him. No system of laws or government can change the heart. We have the only answer to the problems of our world, and we must be faithful to share it.

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The Juggernaut of Jealousy…Keeping Up with the Joneses (Song of Solomon 8:6)

Song of Solomon 8:6, “Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”

When it is said, “someone is keeping up with the Joneses” you mean that they are doing something in order to show that they have as much money as other people, rather than because they really want to do it. Many people are holding down three jobs and purchasing items they really can’t afford, just to keep up with the Joneses. The day we stop comparing ourselves to others will be the day we start living life to the fullest, the way God intended for us to live.

It has been said that a jealous man's horns hang in his eyes. Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other's business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night, an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"

The root of jealousy is insecurity. When we are insecure with ourselves, we will always compare ourselves to others. This only leads to disappointment, because as long as we try to be like someone else, we’ll never find fulfillment in being who God wants us to be. The only escape is to get secure in Christ. As we concentrate on who we are in Him, we can be content with the way God made us. Thank God for the great people in your life, but also thank Him for the way He made you. When you do this, instead of bringing others down to your level, you will rise to theirs. The jealousy in you and me won’t stand a chance.

Henri-Frédéric Amiel said, “Jealousy is a terrible thing. It resembles love, only it is precisely love’s contrary. Instead of wishing for the welfare of the object loved, it desires the dependence of that object upon itself, and its own triumph. Love is the forgetfulness of self; jealousy is the most passionate form of egotism, the glorification of a despotic, exacting, and vain ego, which can neither forget nor subordinate itself. The contrast is perfect.” Human jealousy always leads to destruction not construction. Jealousy is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest or the closest of friends. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before striking out in anger, consider what you could lose; a friend, a job, a spouse. One sign of jealousy is when it's easier to show sympathy and "weep with those who weep" than it is to exhibit joy and "rejoice with those who rejoice". Jealousy is not love because love is self-giving while jealousy is self-serving. Jealousy is nothing other than frustrated selfishness and ambition. Jealously is what we see in others what we want for ourselves, and in our anger, we direct our bitterness at them. Why should they have the benefits we lack? In our minds, we pull them down and find fault. Charles Caleb Colton said, “Of all the passions, jealousy is that which exacts the hardest service, and pays the bitterest wages. Its service is — to watch the success of our enemy; its wages — to be sure of it.”

God deserves our undivided devotion. God's jealousy is justified (Nahum 1:2). God alone has the right to be jealous and to carry out vengeance. His jealousy and vengeance are not tainted with selfishness. Love is the greatest weapon against jealousy. Saul tried to kill David because he was jealous of David's popularity, yet David continued to protect and comfort Saul. Perhaps people have been jealous of you and have even attacked you in some way. They may be intimidated by your strengths, which make them conscious of their own shortcomings. It would be natural to strike back or to avoid them. A better response is to befriend them (Matthew 5:43-44) and to ask God for the strength to continue to love them as David kept on loving Saul.

Points to Ponder:

• Jealousy is not love, because love is self-giving, while jealousy is self-serving.
• Set me free of the thoughts that consume my mind which cause the jealousy to arise.
• Help me to not be envious towards my neighbors and friends but rather to be happy for them and encourage them to go even further.
• I will trust God and choose to be content regardless of what I have or do not have. He will fulfill my need for significance through His life lived within me.

PRAYER: Lord, Forgive me for the jealousy I struggle with. Help me to develop an attitude of contentment. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Walking with Jesus (Colossians 2:6)

Colossians 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:”

A young boy received his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your Bible and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it." After a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been really proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your Bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!" The young man waited a minute and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, why even Jesus had long hair..." to which his father replied...."Yes, and they WALKED everywhere they went!"

I wear a size 13 shoe. My feet stopped growing when I was around 13 years old. When I wore a size 12, so did my brother. One morning, I was rushed to get ready for school and mistakenly put on my brother’s shoes. I realized it when I was at school, and by that time it was much too late. Talk about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes; it was miserable all day. I must say that I was glad to get back into my own shoes. Your purpose isn’t a one-time revelation; it’s a daily decision to walk with Jesus, listen to His Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and trust that God is working through you (Philippians 2:13). From the time you were created, God has had a purpose for you. And when you live with that awareness, every step you take becomes sacred.

1. We really do not know how “comfortable” our life is until we have walked where others have walked, wearing the shoes they have worn. Until you have been where others have been you really have no right to judge where they are.

2. We should be thankful for our own shoes. Years ago someone shared this statement with me, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” The “shoes” of your life may be old or new, worn or clean, large or small; but whatever shoe you have, you should be thankful for it; there is always someone in worse shape than you.

3. If you do not have the right shoes on, your walk will be miserable. Some have a hard time walking with the Lord because they are trying to wear the shoes of the world.

We can always find legitimate, and even good reasons why we shouldn’t do something. But in doing so, we often sacrifice the “best” God has for our lives for the “good”. I personally want everything God has for me, my family, and ministry. Finding the very best is a direct result of complete and total obedience to the will of my Father

Here are 10 practical and applicable steps to help you walk in His purpose every day:

1. Pray – Ask God to reveal His will and give you courage to follow it.
2. Read the Bible – Let His Word guide your decisions and sharpen your understanding of His ways.
3. Serve others – Purpose is often discovered in service, not in self-seeking.
4. Put God first – Align your priorities with His, and seek His Kingdom above all.
5. Follow His commands – Obedience is how we show our love for God.
6. Practice kindness – Reflect God’s character by showing compassion and grace.
7. Exercise your gifts – Pay attention to how God has uniquely wired you.
8. Share your faith with others - As you walk through the world, share your faith with others.
9. Encourage another believer – Rejoice with others at God’s grace in their lives.
10. Be an example to follow each day - God has sent His goodness and mercy to follow you every step you take everyday.

The calling on the life of every child of God is to live in the same way Jesus did. We are commanded to treat others as He did, to love others as He did, to resist temptation as He did, and if necessary even to suffer or die as He did. Peter wrote in I Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” The life of Jesus was not a carefree, painless, always happy existence. We have no reason to believe that following in His steps means we will avoid all trouble. What it does mean is that we have set out on a journey that has a certain and sure conclusion if we stay on the path and follow it all the way until we see His face. The world may not notice. Those around us may pay no attention. But God will welcome His faithful servants home with words we long to hear in Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Points to Ponder:
Jesus is the pattern which we are to follow in every relationship and position of life.
Walk with Him Every Step of the way each and every day.
God invites you to walk with Him on the journey of life.

Prayer, Heavenly Father, thank You for the invitation to walk with You. I want to be a person who walks with You like Noah and Enoch. I will trust You to lead and I will focus simply on my next step. Please show me what You want me to do today. Help me to quiet the other voices competing for my attention and to listen for Yours. Thank You for the intimacy of walking with You, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Being A Reflector of the Lord (Philippians 2:15)

Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

As we engage the Lord in our walk and our words, we will be shining lights to a dark world. A Bible teacher had just finished speaking to a large class of businessmen on the Christian's responsibility to be a "light" in the world. He emphasized that believers are to reflect the Light of the world, the Lord Jesus. After the class, one of the members related to him an experience he had in his home which had impressed upon him this same truth. He said that when he went into his basement, he made an interesting discovery. Some potatoes had sprouted in the darkest comer of the room. At first, he couldn't figure out how they had gotten enough light to grow. Then he noticed that the cook had hung a copper kettle from the ceiling near a cellar window. She kept it so brightly polished that it reflected the rays of the sun onto the potatoes. The businessman said, "When I saw that, I thought, I may not be a preacher or a teacher with ability to expound Scripture, but at least I can be a copper kettle catching the rays of the Son and reflecting His light to someone in a dark corner." May that be true of all of us. We are to follow Jesus Christ by our walk and by our words.

Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Believers are to shine! We are to be lighthouses, warning men of the dangers of sin and pointing them to the safe harbor of salvation. We are to be light reflectors, always reflecting the light of Jesus to those in darkness. We are to light the way for others, just as the way was lit for us by others!

What is the purpose of light? The purpose of lighting is so that we can see what is there. We don't turn on a light just so that we can look at the light, do we? Even when we have attractive light fixtures, we don't very often sit and marvel at the beauty and the symmetry of the light fixtures. You see, the purpose of the light is not to draw attention to itself. The purpose of a light is to illuminate what is there. And that is why God chooses the illustration of lights for what believers ought to be. You see, we are not to be drawing attention to ourselves. We are to be lighting up the existence of God in our lives and His presence in the world. That is why again and again the Scripture uses the illustration of us as lights.

James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, told a story of a pilot friend who flew his single-engine plane to a rural airport late in the evening. By the time the pilot had gotten to the airport, everyone was already gone for the evening and the sun had set behind one of the mountains nearby. The darkness had settled over the land. There were no lights on the field or on the plane. The pilot realized he would be out of gas within two hours; so frantically he flew in circles not knowing what his fate would be. As panic began to grip his heart, something amazing happened. Someone near the airport heard the constant drone of the small-engine plane over their home. They immediately got in their car and raced to the airport. With their lights shining brightly they drove up and down the strip, over and over again. This indicated to the pilot the position of the runway. Slowly and cautiously the pilot was able to land the plane safely because someone shined the light. As believers, we must shine our light in these dark days. There are people all around us that need to hear the message of salvation. We must arise from our relaxed state, and go into the darkness, shining our lights brighter than ever before.

Paul told the Philippians that as they sincerely worked out what the Lord had worked in they would shine as lights in a crooked and perverse generation. Too many people are turned off and turned away from the Lord and His church because of the lives of the people within the church. The name given to the brightest star in the night sky is Sirius, of the constellation Canis Major. The brightest star in the day sky is the sun. Paul drew a lesson from the night sky when he compared Christians to stars and society to the empty blackness of the universe. It is a bleak and barren skyscape at night, except for the light of stars. Christians are to live as lights in a dark world, shining witnesses to God’s truth. Our lives should be characterized by moral purity, patience, and peacefulness, so that we will “shine like stars” in a dark and depraved world.

The Word of God reminds us that God desires His children to shine in this present world! Everyone values light, and regardless of how small the light may be. If it is shining, it can lead one out of darkness. We are to shine as lights in the world. If we were to shine brightly, holding forth the Word of life, people would see the beautiful promises of God, regardless of how crooked and perverse the world. It is our responsibility to shine the light in the darkness. We have the answer in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we keep the light of God’s truth and love shining brightly in our lives, it will impact the darkness around us. When we are in line with God, we are spotlights in a dark world! A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God’s Word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don’t let dissent, disagreement, and discord snuff out your light. Shine out for God. Your role is to shine until Jesus returns and radiates His glory.

Question to Consider:
How’s your light shining?
In what areas or ways can your light be brighter for the unconverted?

Point to Ponder:
Keep shining your light!
You are to be the beacon of hope the world need.

Prayer, Lord, sometimes my life seems like I'm just stumbling in the dark, scrabbling for the light switch. Let your light shine through my life so that it will lead others to Your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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The Bible: World-Wide Wealth of Daily Blessings and Benefits (Psalm 19:7-10)

Psalm 19:7-10, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

There were three merchants crossing the desert on a long journey. In the daytime, they would pitch tents for shelter from the desert sun. When the stars came out, they would ride their camels in the cool of the night. At one point, the merchants crossed a what appeared a dry riverbed under the stars. In hopes of finding some water they dismounted from their camels and walked to the bed. There was no water only a countless number of pebbles in the riverbed. Each merchant picked up a pebble and placed it in their pocket. They continued travelling many miles throughout the night. Just prior to the morning’s rising sun light, the merchants stopped to pitch their tents. Each man pulled the single pebble from his own pocket and saw that it sparkled in the morning sunlight. The “pebbles” were not rocks, but precious gems. One man had a ruby, another, an emerald, and the third, a sapphire. “Jewels!” one merchant said, his face shining with joy. “Oh, no!” wailed the second. “There were thousands of jewels all over the riverbed! Each of us took only one! Why didn’t we grab handfuls?” “Look!” shouted the third, pointing behind them. A desert wind had whipped up, erasing their tracks. “We can never find our way back!” The voice in the desert had spoken truly. The merchants were happy and sad. They had found wealth in the desert, but they could have taken more! Each day we have opportunity to gather many riches of God’s Word, the Bible. But we choose to settle by scrolling through its pages, scanning a verse, and swiftly attempting to discern its truth without ever allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to our heart.

As we read the Bible, we grow spiritually, strengthen our walk with Christ, and live with greater purpose. Each day that we open the Word, read it, mediate on it, obey it, apply it, and share its truths with others, it transforms our lives. We know we’re supposed to read the Bible. We even want to read it. But a lot of the time it gets pushed to the side with our busy schedules. Let this thought help. Imagine just for a moment the Word of God as a continent, undiscovered in your heart and mind. As you walk the lush fields of gold and see the abundant harvest of truth. Hike the mountainous peaks that rise above those fields until you come to the summit of wonder. Look out in amazement as far as your eye can see. As you sink down to the canyons, take time to rest along the streaming rivers and feel the rush of waves over your soul. Sit under the shade of the trees of life. Take of their fruit and satisfy your hunger until you have the strength to press on. Descend into the crevice’s and discover the rich treasures below. Plow your way through the unaffected soil until you have the holy resources in your hands. Come up for air until the very breath of God fills your lungs. With newfound treasure, take the precious stones with you as you continue your journey. Trek your way through every grassy hill, every golden plain, every holy holler. At every turn, walk in the newness of Truth’s terrain. See it, breathe it, love it, live it, and discover it! What immeasurable treasure before you each day is the Holy Word of God!

There is a well-known story about a traveler who made a trip to north Africa in the early 1900’s. As he traveled across the country, he made his way into a small, remote village. In the center of the village, a crowd of boys and girls had gathered in a large circle. The traveler walked to the edge of the circle to see what had attracted such a large group. He saw a very common sight; the children were playing a game of marbles. As he watched the game, he noticed that several of the marbles had an almost luminous quality and those marbles flashed with sunlight as the game was played. The traveler was a gemologist, and he instantly recognized that these children were playing marbles with diamonds. The eyes of a seasoned professional had recognized what a novice would have missed. They were treating the world’s most precious gemstone as if it were a cheap, glass marble. Unfortunately, this story serves as an all too real metaphor for the way many look at the Bible. We fail to see the diamonds of extraordinary opportunity as if they were ordinary glass marbles that have no real value. We look with the eyes of a novice rather than developing the eyes of a trained professional who sees the deep value that escapes the notice of an untrained eye. When we “show up” every day and are truly tuned in to what the Lord will lead us to and the method with which he expects us to pursue it, then we will be infinitely more apt to discover those nuggets that He has for us and then use them for His greater glory. We serve the greatest gemologist in the world, however, and He desires each of us to discover the diamonds that he has for us each day. So, begin your day today by asking the Lord to give you a spirit of humility and wisdom that you may see each diamond that is waiting for you while you are making your way through the rough that is this life here on earth.

Questions to Consider:
What does my schedule say about how much I love God’s Word?
What stops me from spending time each day in God’s Word?
What can I do that I can spend more time in my Bible?

PRAYER: Lord, You are great! There is no one like You. The more time I spend exposed to Your Word, the more I realize what a gift You have given to us. I do desire that one my greatest treasures should be Your amazing Word that you wrote for me. Create in me the desire to know You more and to hunger and thirst for Your Word each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Shoes of Asher (Deuteronomy 33:24-27)

Deuteronomy 33:24-27, “And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”

Just before Moses died, he gathered the tribes of Israel together and pronounced prophetical blessings upon them, highlighting the way God worked to meet their needs and give them victory. When he came to the tribe of Asher, he said something quite unusual. He declared in Deuteronomy 33:24-25, “Let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Doesn’t it sound strange that Asher would be required to wear shoes of iron and brass? Imagine such a thing. This doesn’t seem like a blessing at all. I would think shoes of iron and brass would be weird and weighty. Can you see this tribe as they cross the Jordan or when they walk around the gated city of Jericho? They traveled miles in the desert and over rugged terrain all in shoes that were heavy and burdensome. But what seemed like a burden was actually God’s provision. The elements of the world could never penetrate iron and brass; and though it seemed like a burden to walk in such weighty shoes, it was actually a blessing in disguise. That’s the way God works. His blessings are not always wrapped in the prettiest packages. Sometimes what appears to be hurtful and heavy is actually helpful and heavenly. You may be walking in some heavy shoes right bow, but as Corrie Ten Boom said, “If God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes.”

Asher’s favor. Deuteronomy 33:24, “Let him be acceptable to his brethren.”
The very name of Asher means blessed, happy. The word "acceptable" means favor. The thought here is either let Asher gain favor with his brethren or bestow favor on his brethren. This tribe was to be most blessed, happy, and highly favored by the other tribes. The people of Asher became wealthy and lived in luxury.

Asher’s fertility. Deuteronomy 33:24, “Let him dip his foot in oil.”
This is a figurative language for prosperity. The territory included some of the most fertile land anywhere. Asher's olive trees produced much oil. When he came to the tribe of Asher, he described a powerful people, using the metaphor of iron shoes that would trample whatever obstacle they faced. Then he told them that their strength would be equal to the daily challenges. Notice that he did not tell them strength would come all at once, but that it would be renewed as they needed it.

Asher’s fortress. Deuteronomy 33:25, “Thy shoes shall be iron.”
This language also speaks of the prosperity of Asher. The word "shoe" speaks of the strength of a fortress—it being of iron and brass. D. L. Moody said, “A man can no more take a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs to sustain life for a week to come. We must draw upon God's boundless stores for grace from day to day, as we need it.” God does not give us the all the strength we are ever going to need all at once, but as much as we need it. Each day, God provides sufficient grace and strength to those who ask Him. We will always need the dependency upon God. We can always depend upon Him. When we are in our weakest, He is strong. If we run to Him for refuge, He will lift us up. Nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17). His grace is always sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9). Whatever you need for victory this day is available to you through God's grace.

Asher’s fortitude. Deuteronomy 33:25, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
Asher is to have strength all his days. God is sovereign over all. He is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. God has already provided everything you need to serve and follow. God knows what we will need long before we even encounter the need. He meets our needs, not as a desperate scramble to catch up, but from His infinite resources. Long before we go to Him in prayer for our need or needs, He already has the solution to our situation taken care of. Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” We can trust God to prepare and provide in every situation we face. We will never run out of strength if we fully rely on Him.

God dwells in sovereign power, riding across the heavens in majestic glory and splendor. The power of God is available to help His people. God is not off in the distance, high in the heavens, out of reach. The people of God are not left helpless and hopeless, not left to handle their problems by themselves. On the contrary, the power of God is available to help in meeting the needs of His dear people. God is the eternal God. Being eternal, God has arms that are everlasting. This means a most wonderful thing: the everlasting arms of God are able to hold and support His precious people. The eternal God is the refuge for His people. He places His everlasting arms underneath them, holding them up and supporting them through all the trials and temptations of life.

The Lord does not promise us a life free from problems. Although we may feel that problem free living would best suit us; God uses our struggles in life to form our character. The problem comes when we attempt to deal with our burdens in our own strength rather than relying on God. This is a recipe for frustration and failure. Rather than going it alone, we need to constantly be resting on the promises of God for His help. God will carry you through every complication, challenge, and crisis that you face today if you rest in His arms.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Strengthen me that I may stand fast in the evil day and to trust in Your Word, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

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Be Ready, Willing, and Available When the Lord Speaks to You (Luke 1:26-38)

Luke 1:26-38, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

As a follower of Christ, I want to encourage you in your walk with the Lord as you find ways to let your light shine in the dark world (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 5:8; Philippians 2:15). Sometimes God calls unlikely servants to do extraordinary service. Mary was willing to step forward and be used by God for His glory. In Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel announced the coming birth of Jesus to Mary, a young woman with no credentials. Luke described Mary as a virgin, “espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David” (Luke 1:27). The angel Gabriel said that Mary had found favor with God. Mary was chosen not because of her own merit, but through an outpouring of God’s grace (Luke 1:28).

Mary would give birth to a son, and this baby’s importance would be unparalleled. This child would be the “Son of the Highest” and would sit on the throne of David. This description emphasizes the fact that Israel would remain at the center of the redemption story. Like Zechariah, Mary reacted with fear. When Mary asked in Luke 1:34, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”, Gabriel responded with further assurance of God’s sovereignty. Gabriel even gave Mary additional evidence in the form of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and finished with the grand statement of God’s supernatural power in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Despite the trials that would undoubtedly come with this assignment, in Luke 1:38, Mary answered with complete willingness to obey and allow God to work as He would.

When God calls us, He also equips us. He provides His presence, His provisions, and His power. May we respond with the same willing obedience we see in Mary, despite our weaknesses and the obstacles that we will inevitably face. When God calls you, He will equip and prepare you to effectively complete your assignment on time. Many times He will also lead you into new territory where you are surrounded by unfamiliar faces in order to teach you lessons that you couldn’t learn any other way. God knows exactly where you need to be and who you need to be with in order to equip you for your life assignment, and He is working to get you exactly where you need to be! One thing is certain: If God has called you, He will equip you for the task! You can be sure of it!

Points to Ponder:

• When God calls us, He also equips us.
• He provides His presence, His power, and His provisions.
• We are all called to shine our light for Jesus in this world.
• May we respond with the same willing obedience we see in Mary, despite our weaknesses and the obstacles that we will inevitably face.
• I pray you are encouraged to answer this call.
  
  

Questions to Consider:

• What can we learn from Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel’s message in Luke 1:26­–38?
• What has God used from your life experiences to prepare you for what you are doing?
• Has God led you to places where you were surrounded by unfamiliar faces to teach you lessons that you couldn’t learn any other way?
• When was that experience and what did you gain from it?
• Are you ready, willing, and available to answer that call today?
  
  

PRAYER: Father, You chose Mary for the incredible privilege of raising the Messiah! But this was not a privilege without cost. Teach me humility and submission like Mary’s. May my heart be open to follow Your leading. May Your hand guide me. Do as You will to get me ready for the path that lies ahead! Give me joy along the journey in which You have chosen for me, even when they include hardships.

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The Bible: The Book You Can Believe and Trust (Proverbs 30:5)

Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Notice the three things said of God’s words: (1) they are pure (tried, refined);(2) they shield us from evil (harm) when they are kept; (3) they are not to be added to (or else God will reprove us and expose us as liars). So, God’s words are pure (pure gold), protective, and complete.

That source of divine wisdom is contained in His Word. It is readily available for all who will search it. Notice that he speaks of every Word of God. Each and every Word of God is pure. God’s Word is pure. It’s tried and refined. Wisdom belongs to God, and it belongs to His Son, Jesus. Wisdom is also found in God’s Word. The Bible is sufficient to shape our lives. No one ever needs to add to God’s Word. The problem for our lives is that we often try to add to God’s Word. We think we need something else in addition to Scripture—something more relevant, practical, or helpful.

Not only is God the source of wisdom, He also is a shield to all who place their trust in Him. Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” What a wonderful truth! God takes care of those who trust in Him. That is true when one first trusts Christ as Savior and is saved. It further is true in the subsequent Christian walk. God becomes a shield of protection for those who trust Him in times of need. Never let anyone shake your confidence and faith in the Bible; it is the very Word of God.

In 1985, for the first time in more than fifty years, Congress authorized the issue of official US government gold coins. Beginning in 1986, these new coins came on the market. Each of these American Eagles, as they are known, is guaranteed by the US Mint to contain the stated amount of pure 22 karat gold. They come in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1-ounce sizes, and buyers from around the world trust these coins because they trust the promises of the United States government that the coins are what they claim to be.

When it comes to Scripture, we have something far more reliable than the guarantee of a government. We have the promises of Almighty God that His Word is perfect and pure. God promised to preserve His Word for us. That means that, according to the promise of God, we can have complete faith that every word in the Bible is there on purpose. The Scriptures affirm in Psalm 12:7, “Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

The Bible was free of any error. It needs no adjusting, alteration, or modification. The Bible does not need improvement; it’s been proven. The Bible needs no correction; it is man that needs corrected by it. This commandment in Proverbs 30:6 is expanded and made a part of the New Testament. Revelation 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

The very first temptation in human history began with Satan asking Eve, “Yea hath God said?” This challenge to the authenticity of Scripture continues in our day. If God promised to keep His Words—and He did—then we can confidently trust the Bible. God has seen to the preserving of His Word, and the Bible that we hold in our hands today is fully reliable. Instead of evaluating the Word of God and trying to decide if it is trustworthy, God intends for us to use it to evaluate our thoughts and actions. Trust with complete faith and confidence in the Bible you hold—it is guaranteed by God Himself.

If you will have a passion to learn wisdom, you will. If you will love it and live it, it will love you and bless your life. Seek it early! Seek it early during the day, your day will go much better. In fact, the wisdom you find in the morning may prepare you for a trial that may surface later in the day. The wisdom from God's Word and your walk with Him will act as a shield.

PRAYER: Lord, You are great! There is no one like You. The more time I spend exposed to Your Word, the more I realize what a gift You have given to us. I do desire that one my greatest treasures should be Your amazing Word that you wrote for me. Create in me the desire to know You more and to hunger and thirst for Your Word each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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