Matthew 14:22-34
No one gets through life without trials. Realistically, you are either in a storm, just getting out of a one, or about to enter a turbulent time. That is the bad news. Thankfully, we serve a good God who provides beautifully—especially during the dark periods of life.
Today's passage tells of a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus provides for us today just as He did for His disciples in that unsettling situation. Today, we will focus on ways that He does this.
First, the Father gives Christians His presence and the promise that He will never leave (Heb. 13:5-6). This is, perhaps, the greatest gift because from this awareness, He offers a sense of comfort, courage, and confidence.
Second, the Lord blesses His children with a pathway through trouble. He is in total control of our storm and will use the trial for His purpose. We may not understand, but we can trust His hand to guide us and accomplish good. Sometimes the reason and benefit of a difficulty will becomes obvious, while in other cases, it may never be clear.
Third, the Father offers believers the potential to grow. Hardships are exercises in trust and times to learn more fully who God is and how great His power and love are.
No one enjoys trials. But remember to express gratitude for God's hand in your life and the way He will use the adversity. Hardships are chances to trust your Creator and to know Him better. Of course, they are painful, but don't waste the opportunity to become all the Lord has planned for you.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Equipped for the Valley
Psalm 27:11-14
If a sermon is worth listening to, make it a habit to write down the important points. Writing etches wisdom deeper into your heart and mind, which is where you build a foundation of biblical theology.
Christians cannot afford to let a message wash over their ears and drift away: believers who aren't listeners may panic upon walking into a spiritual valley. Since they've retained very little teaching, their understanding of the Lord will be limited. People with a shaky theological foundation don't realize: 1) God is upholding them through their difficulty (Isa. 41:10); 2) it has purpose (Rom. 8:28-29); and 3) they must surrender to His work in their life or be set aside—still a believer but useless to the kingdom (Rom. 12:1-2). Consequently, a believer without a solid biblical foundation may seek out counsel from worldly "problem solvers" who offer only temporary release from pain and fear.
David, the psalm's author, said that he did not fear evil (Ps. 23:4). He knew God. What did he have to be scared of when the One who controls everything was on his side? How could he be stifled by anxiety while in the Spirit's comforting presence? The writer held God to His promises and God delivered (Ps. 23). But the psalmist had to know those pledges in order to believe that the Lord would keep them.
A spiritual relationship heavy on emotion but light on facts falters in a valley. Believers must know how Scripture applies to life. Unless you have a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, and criticism, you are at risk. Start building your biblical foundation so it will help you in times of need.
If a sermon is worth listening to, make it a habit to write down the important points. Writing etches wisdom deeper into your heart and mind, which is where you build a foundation of biblical theology.
Christians cannot afford to let a message wash over their ears and drift away: believers who aren't listeners may panic upon walking into a spiritual valley. Since they've retained very little teaching, their understanding of the Lord will be limited. People with a shaky theological foundation don't realize: 1) God is upholding them through their difficulty (Isa. 41:10); 2) it has purpose (Rom. 8:28-29); and 3) they must surrender to His work in their life or be set aside—still a believer but useless to the kingdom (Rom. 12:1-2). Consequently, a believer without a solid biblical foundation may seek out counsel from worldly "problem solvers" who offer only temporary release from pain and fear.
David, the psalm's author, said that he did not fear evil (Ps. 23:4). He knew God. What did he have to be scared of when the One who controls everything was on his side? How could he be stifled by anxiety while in the Spirit's comforting presence? The writer held God to His promises and God delivered (Ps. 23). But the psalmist had to know those pledges in order to believe that the Lord would keep them.
A spiritual relationship heavy on emotion but light on facts falters in a valley. Believers must know how Scripture applies to life. Unless you have a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, and criticism, you are at risk. Start building your biblical foundation so it will help you in times of need.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Does God Cause Us to Sin?
Isaiah 45:6-9
Yesterday's reading affirmed that God is in everything from natural disasters to family disputes. Nothing touches a believer's life unless it comes through His permissive hand. And He brings about good from even our worst experiences (Rom. 8:28). But believing in divine sovereignty over all the events of earth implies a connection between holy God and our sin. Then, just how are they related?
Read this carefully: God neither instigates sin nor leads anyone into temptation. He is holy, so He can't be in the presence of sin. He is just, so He demands payment for wrongs. And He's loving and merciful, so He desires that all people know Him and His saving grace. To lure people into wrongdoing and then judge them for disobedience would be contrary to His character.
At times people point out the King James translation of Isaiah 45:7, which says that God makes peace and creates evil. While I love the KJV's poetic language, I teach from the New American Standard Bible because it's the most accurate translation. The NASB says God is the One "causing well-being and creating calamity . . . " Even before we make a wrong choice, the Lord knows what the repercussions will be. And He uses the evil circumstances related to our sin as a teaching tool.
We have a certain amount of free will—the Lord allows us to step out His will and pursue our own agenda. He knows that sin reveals the flesh's weakness and arrogance. Once we realize our frailty, He teaches us to die to self and to rely upon Christ's strength (Gal. 2:20).
Yesterday's reading affirmed that God is in everything from natural disasters to family disputes. Nothing touches a believer's life unless it comes through His permissive hand. And He brings about good from even our worst experiences (Rom. 8:28). But believing in divine sovereignty over all the events of earth implies a connection between holy God and our sin. Then, just how are they related?
Read this carefully: God neither instigates sin nor leads anyone into temptation. He is holy, so He can't be in the presence of sin. He is just, so He demands payment for wrongs. And He's loving and merciful, so He desires that all people know Him and His saving grace. To lure people into wrongdoing and then judge them for disobedience would be contrary to His character.
At times people point out the King James translation of Isaiah 45:7, which says that God makes peace and creates evil. While I love the KJV's poetic language, I teach from the New American Standard Bible because it's the most accurate translation. The NASB says God is the One "causing well-being and creating calamity . . . " Even before we make a wrong choice, the Lord knows what the repercussions will be. And He uses the evil circumstances related to our sin as a teaching tool.
We have a certain amount of free will—the Lord allows us to step out His will and pursue our own agenda. He knows that sin reveals the flesh's weakness and arrogance. Once we realize our frailty, He teaches us to die to self and to rely upon Christ's strength (Gal. 2:20).
Is God in Everything?
Romans 8:28-29
Is God involved in everything that happens throughout the world? How you answer that question is important. What people believe about the Lord's sovereignty affects both their trust in Him and their reactions to struggles. Moreover, believers' thoughts on God's dominion influences their compliance with His requirements. For instance, "in everything give thanks" (1 Thess. 5:18) would be an impossible standard if God were only partially in control of what's going on.
Believing God is present in the positive aspects of our lives is easy. Reconciling hardship to His promises of provision and love is tougher. But think about this: If the Lord has reason to provide a job promotion, might He not also have reason to orchestrate a job loss? If He gives good health, might He not also allow sickness,
as He permitted in Job's life (Job 2:6-7)?
The Bible says that the Lord's ways are not like our ways (Isa. 55:8). He has a master purpose for involving Himself in every aspect of believers' lives—namely, conforming them to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Jesus' life was not easy or sweet. He suffered shame, abuse, ill will, and persecution even before He faced the cross. If we are to be like Him, then we must expect that God's loving hand will sometimes hold a tool for reshaping us.
Every believer is encircled by God's protection (Psalm 34:7), so nothing touches our lives unless He permits or directs it. Bitterness and blame cannot take root if we accept that every good and bad thing comes with God's knowledge and permission. We can trust Him to do right by us (Rom. 8:28).
Is God involved in everything that happens throughout the world? How you answer that question is important. What people believe about the Lord's sovereignty affects both their trust in Him and their reactions to struggles. Moreover, believers' thoughts on God's dominion influences their compliance with His requirements. For instance, "in everything give thanks" (1 Thess. 5:18) would be an impossible standard if God were only partially in control of what's going on.
Believing God is present in the positive aspects of our lives is easy. Reconciling hardship to His promises of provision and love is tougher. But think about this: If the Lord has reason to provide a job promotion, might He not also have reason to orchestrate a job loss? If He gives good health, might He not also allow sickness,
as He permitted in Job's life (Job 2:6-7)?
The Bible says that the Lord's ways are not like our ways (Isa. 55:8). He has a master purpose for involving Himself in every aspect of believers' lives—namely, conforming them to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Jesus' life was not easy or sweet. He suffered shame, abuse, ill will, and persecution even before He faced the cross. If we are to be like Him, then we must expect that God's loving hand will sometimes hold a tool for reshaping us.
Every believer is encircled by God's protection (Psalm 34:7), so nothing touches our lives unless He permits or directs it. Bitterness and blame cannot take root if we accept that every good and bad thing comes with God's knowledge and permission. We can trust Him to do right by us (Rom. 8:28).
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Secret of Contentment
Philippians 4:10-13
After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul had much to learn about salvation and following Christ. Throughout his life, the apostle shared what he was discovering. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote about a very important life lesson—the secret of being content.
What kind of life do you think brings contentment? You might assume it is one with few troubles or great success. You may want good health, financial security, and a loving family. Paul's life was not at all like this. He was in danger from both his own countryman and the opposition (2 Cor. 11:23-26). Sometimes the people listened, but more often, they were hostile to his message. He also had a "thorn in the flesh" which God refused to remove (2 Cor. 12:7-9). And Paul even spent considerable time in prison, chained to a guard. Yet he boldly wrote, " I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Phil. 4:12 niv).
The secret he discovered was to live on the basis of his position in the Lord, not his feelings. As God's child, Paul knew he was spiritually rich—"blessed . . . with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3) because he had a loving Father and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Contentment in our media-driven age is hard to find and harder to keep. There's always something newer, bigger, or better to buy and someone else who has what you want. When you feel unsatisfied, try basing your response on your position as a co-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17) rather than feelings.
After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul had much to learn about salvation and following Christ. Throughout his life, the apostle shared what he was discovering. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote about a very important life lesson—the secret of being content.
What kind of life do you think brings contentment? You might assume it is one with few troubles or great success. You may want good health, financial security, and a loving family. Paul's life was not at all like this. He was in danger from both his own countryman and the opposition (2 Cor. 11:23-26). Sometimes the people listened, but more often, they were hostile to his message. He also had a "thorn in the flesh" which God refused to remove (2 Cor. 12:7-9). And Paul even spent considerable time in prison, chained to a guard. Yet he boldly wrote, " I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Phil. 4:12 niv).
The secret he discovered was to live on the basis of his position in the Lord, not his feelings. As God's child, Paul knew he was spiritually rich—"blessed . . . with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3) because he had a loving Father and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Contentment in our media-driven age is hard to find and harder to keep. There's always something newer, bigger, or better to buy and someone else who has what you want. When you feel unsatisfied, try basing your response on your position as a co-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17) rather than feelings.
Friday, September 3, 2010
A Fresh Encounter with the Lord
Joshua 5:13-15
Before overcoming a challenging situation, God often brings us through a time of spiritual preparation. Such was the case prior to Israel's conquest of Canaan. As Joshua—the commander of the Hebrew army—stood near Jericho contemplating the battle ahead, God appeared to him.
Joshua's reaction to this fresh encounter with God can help us learn how we should respond when He speaks to us in our hearts through His Word and His Spirit.
• He approached the Lord in order to speak with Him.
• He fell on his face in humility and submission to His authority.
• He asked for further instruction—"What has my lord to say to his servant?" (v. 14).
• He obeyed immediately.
• He feared God and treated Him as holy.
The Lord is always waiting to meet with us, but sadly, we are often too busy to make the effort to approach Him. By neglecting His presence, we miss the opportunity to receive His encouragement, strength, and direction for our challenging situations.
Our attitude during times of Scripture reading and prayer is very important. A humble, submissive, and teachable spirit enables us to hear God, and immediate obedience to His instructions reveals our awesome respect for Him.
If you're struggling with a difficulty and wondering why the Lord hasn't intervened, maybe He's waiting for you to meet with Him and—like Joshua—to humble yourself before Him in absolute dependence. Only then will you be in a position to hear God's voice and follow His instructions.
Before overcoming a challenging situation, God often brings us through a time of spiritual preparation. Such was the case prior to Israel's conquest of Canaan. As Joshua—the commander of the Hebrew army—stood near Jericho contemplating the battle ahead, God appeared to him.
Joshua's reaction to this fresh encounter with God can help us learn how we should respond when He speaks to us in our hearts through His Word and His Spirit.
• He approached the Lord in order to speak with Him.
• He fell on his face in humility and submission to His authority.
• He asked for further instruction—"What has my lord to say to his servant?" (v. 14).
• He obeyed immediately.
• He feared God and treated Him as holy.
The Lord is always waiting to meet with us, but sadly, we are often too busy to make the effort to approach Him. By neglecting His presence, we miss the opportunity to receive His encouragement, strength, and direction for our challenging situations.
Our attitude during times of Scripture reading and prayer is very important. A humble, submissive, and teachable spirit enables us to hear God, and immediate obedience to His instructions reveals our awesome respect for Him.
If you're struggling with a difficulty and wondering why the Lord hasn't intervened, maybe He's waiting for you to meet with Him and—like Joshua—to humble yourself before Him in absolute dependence. Only then will you be in a position to hear God's voice and follow His instructions.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Success God's Way
Joshua 1:5-9
A meaningful study of success must start with a proper definition. The world uses words like wealth, fame, and position to describe the good life. While those are types of achievement, true success means becoming the person God has called you to be and reaching the goals He helps you set.
God wrote the Book on triumphant living. He has woven His principles into the lives of saints, laid them out in Proverbs, and placed them on the lips of prophets and apostles. He is so thorough on this subject that no one has ever devised a better system. Plenty of people have tried to sell their own brand of success. But if you read their books, you'll notice something interesting: many of those authors have borrowed biblical standards, often unknowingly.
Even if a person reads every success book available, results are not guaranteed. In fact, the only sure way to live victoriously is God's way. The Lord stressed to Joshua the importance of remaining within His will. As long as Israel's new leader was abiding by scriptural precepts, he would be triumphant, as God intended. We can read a lot of books about living well, eating healthy, getting out of debt, climbing the corporate ladder, raising responsible kids, etc. Or we can follow the one Book that provides principles for success in all of those areas.
Some people look as if they're doing well on their own, but underneath is soul-deep turmoil. In contrast, God not only sets up believers for success; He holds them safely in His hand. When we are obedient to Him, even if we fail in the world's eyes, we still have joy, peace, and contentment.
A meaningful study of success must start with a proper definition. The world uses words like wealth, fame, and position to describe the good life. While those are types of achievement, true success means becoming the person God has called you to be and reaching the goals He helps you set.
God wrote the Book on triumphant living. He has woven His principles into the lives of saints, laid them out in Proverbs, and placed them on the lips of prophets and apostles. He is so thorough on this subject that no one has ever devised a better system. Plenty of people have tried to sell their own brand of success. But if you read their books, you'll notice something interesting: many of those authors have borrowed biblical standards, often unknowingly.
Even if a person reads every success book available, results are not guaranteed. In fact, the only sure way to live victoriously is God's way. The Lord stressed to Joshua the importance of remaining within His will. As long as Israel's new leader was abiding by scriptural precepts, he would be triumphant, as God intended. We can read a lot of books about living well, eating healthy, getting out of debt, climbing the corporate ladder, raising responsible kids, etc. Or we can follow the one Book that provides principles for success in all of those areas.
Some people look as if they're doing well on their own, but underneath is soul-deep turmoil. In contrast, God not only sets up believers for success; He holds them safely in His hand. When we are obedient to Him, even if we fail in the world's eyes, we still have joy, peace, and contentment.
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