DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: PRAYING PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

 "So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD." -Joshua 9:14 ESV

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." -Romans 12:12 ESV

What a gift we have in prayer! The ability to approach our Savior and Lord with praise and even our struggles is a blessing of redemption. Because we have been perfectly restored in Christ to a righteous position before God, we can seek divine help personally and intimately. If faithfulness to the purposes of God is the goal for the Christian life, then prayer becomes a constant practice in discovering what is truly right in the eyes of God. Wise counsel is found in the Word of God and is properly understood by the revealing of the Spirit of God. Prayerful consideration of God's Word seeks to receive instruction and guidance from the Lord accurately. This Joshua verse refers to the Gibeonite deception that took place under the leadership of Joshua. There are many lessons from this passage, but clearly we see a warning in this example to not presume anything when make decisions as the people of God. They had seen and experienced God's work in their lives many times prior to this encounter. So they clearly understood from the past a need to hear from God and be directed by God. However, they were still deceived. They seemed to take for granted what they were seeing and hearing from the Gibeonites rather than really thinking it through with the Lord's help. The possibility of deception makes seeking God's counsel important past, present, and future. Praying at all times is emphasized by the Apostle Paul for general instruction to the church in the New Testament. In the church age, we have the presence of God dwelling in our hearts through God the Holy Spirit. Prayer keeps us connected and sensitive to the way of righteousness in seeking to be obedient to the Lord.  There is a saying that we must "stay prayed up." This is good advice that has biblical foundation, if I understand correctly. Since prayer is to be continuous, we are never done with prayer. Conversation with God is to be always present for guidance, assurance, and confirmation of His Will. Prayer is never wrong and we are changed in prayer. Because prayer is a part of God's Will for us, it pleases Him when we are devoted to it personally and collectively. 

    Prayer seems to be an indicator of spiritual maturity that takes discipline to stay loyal in regular practice. The expression of persisting in prayer seems to be very helpful to describe the holy labor involved. This type of labor however is able to increase vitality rather than being an effort that drains us. So continuous effort to pray and the inner surrender of the heart to focus on the Lord is essential. In order to actually pray one must turn decisively toward God in thought and will. Merely closing your eyes and reciting holy words is the temptation of routine that strays from the actual purpose. The heart must be conditioned through routine to surrender and seek the Lord and rest in His presence. The discipline of the mind and heart to express desires and requests and words of praise with constant awareness of the Saviors presence is the task at hand in prayer. Awareness will prepare the heart to receive the answers to prayer, as well. Whether the answer is confirmation and direction or correction and redirection, the praying believer is ready. Let's pray with awareness and eager expectation today and moving forward. Always pray. Praying past, present, and future says... I have prayed... I am praying... I will continue in prayer. 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Stewardship from God

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." -Colossians 1:24-26 ESV

 All that we have and all that we do comes from God's provisions. In the Christian life, the purpose of all things is to bring glory to the triune God. God has saved us and called us through our one and only Savior Jesus Christ. Because of our salvation in Christ we overflow with love and gratitude for the purposes and works of God that we have the privilege of being a part of. This passage is a great reminder that the follower of Christ must be diligent to carry out the continued work of God. The work is joining God's work through our specific callings. We are called to specific purposes with our specific circumstances out of the grace of God. Understanding the responsibility of serving the Lord with all that He has provided is important for daily devotion to Him. This allows us to see the world and the details of our lives as important for the will of God to be revealed to those around us. Joy comes because we are also communing with the Lord in a worshipful manner when we utilize our gifts and placement to live out and speak the Word of God. If our concentration is on fulfilling our calling then we can rejoice in the knowledge of pleasing the Lord no matter our circumstances. Nothing pleases God more than His people serving for His glory. The challenge today is seeing who you are in Christ and what has been provided to you for the Glory of God. Believer, live to make the Word of God fully known today!

Devotional Thoughts: The Breaking Point

Photo by Aaron Burden

https://unsplash.com/photos/J2XuOsy4mJE

Life is full of moments when enough is enough. This can be in the small things and the significant things. Could it be that the breaking points we encounter are vital instruments in which God moves us into a particular action or direction. This is when we hit that rock bottom moment when change must happen. IT MUST. We are desperate for change because we are discontent with the current outcomes we are experiencing. An easy example is when we change our diets to become more healthy. Maybe we have gone through a long stretch of eating all the good stuff that is not really that good for us. We must change in order to feel better and become healthy again. Spiritually, we all have to change at times in order to live a life that is faithful to the One who has saved us. The spiritual rock bottom would have to be the circumstance in which God revealed to us that we needed a Savior, and we trusted in Jesus. That moment of conversion was a breaking point in which we came to the understanding that we had enough of the life apart from Christ. The former life was leading to death and destruction, and now the life in Christ is life secured. That initial breaking point leads to a refinement process that encounters many other breaking points. Some of these are small and some can be pretty significant. The transforming event of conversion is the greatest change of all, but along the journey of spiritual growth many victories are celebrated. Each time we overcome the influence of sin and turn towards the righteousness of God, we have come to the point of change after a breaking point. Sometimes the Lord provides this godly grief that breaks the callous demeanor we have put on towards sin. Once we have become sensitive to sin, we are then equipped and motivated to overcome sin to please the Lord that has saved us. Our salvation provides a joyous purpose to dwell in the presence of the Lord, and reject any tolerance of personal sin in our life. Sure it is still a battle every day not to give in to temptation. Our deepest desire, however, is to walk towards holiness each day that we may dwell in the presence of God forever. Praise God for leading me to the breaking points that lead me to repentance and urgent pursuit of faithfulness to Him. This is the place of joy and contentment. 

“One thing have I asked of the LORD,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to inquire in his temple.” -Psalm 27:4

“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Devotional Thoughts: Rising to the Occasion

Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash

    Doing the right thing at the right time is being ready to act when a particular occasion arises. This is an ability that is celebrated in many ways. Those that achieve any type of excellence, has been able to do the right things at the right time. In order for this to happen, a person must have an awareness of what is coming in order to be ready. A Christian must possess awareness to do the right things at the right times for the glory of God. As we spend time in bible study, prayer, and worship, we are preparing ourselves to act in obedience to God’s will in the moment. We must be ready to be proactive in our service to the Lord. Our excellence is not in personal achievement, but by bringing glory to God and building His kingdom. What is in this moment that is an opportunity to serve the Lord? What is happening now that is an occasion for doing the right thing to build the kingdom of God? We must be sensitive to the current moment and possess enough foresight to anticipate our good works in the future. If every follower of Jesus decisively prepared for action, rising to the occasion would bring a revolution. The comforting part of being a Christian is that we are simply making ourselves available for the good work. We put forth effort, but the Lord provides all that we need to execute for His glory. Preparation is important for continual trust in the equipping nature of God. So let us engage with God continually for joyful communion and anticipation of joyful service. 

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:16-20

Life Adjustments and the Presence of God

Photo by Nathan Dumlao 

https://unsplash.com/photos/N9bj9UAK9_Y

Life is full of adjustments. In fact, life could be one long string of constant adjustments. As I have recently been going through many adjustments that come with moving to a new town, I have been pray through how God is present during the changes that occur. God’s guidance should obviously be the reason for changes that happen in the life of a Christian, but I also believe that He is present throughout the process is some special ways. What are the characteristics of God, that we know from scripture, that are helpful during times of adjustments? There have been two that have been dominant in my thinking. He is our refuge. He is our rock.

The fact that God is our refuge means He is a place of protection or shelter. Even in times of good and exciting adjustments, there is a need for God to be a refuge. The unknowns that often come with life change or adjustments makes it vital for habits to be formed that actively turn to the Lord in acknowledgement of your need for Him. What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Seeking the place of secure shelter that is the presence of God should be our automatic response. Prayer, public worship, private worship, and reading scripture are all spiritual disciples that are actively seeking the shelter of God. Those of us with a “fix it” mindset must find a way to stop trying to simply figure out the unknowns through more effort. More effort is good with guidance that we find when we first seek God as our refuge. More effort without acknowledging our need for God is dangerous and futile for those that have trusted in Jesus as Savior. So we must stop. We must simply pause and engage with the Lord as a place to go for all that we need to navigate our circumstance for the glory of God. 

The fact that God is our rock provides confidence that seeking Him is not in vain. This is because of His nature. He is a massive and unshakeable foundation. When discerning the unknowns, it is good to have stability. Our confidence to move forward is fueled by what we know for sure. That God is who he says He is in His Word. So as we seek His shelter, we are seeking protection from the One who is unchanging and unfazed by the circumstances of our life that are “unknowns" to us. God knows our unknowns. He must be our constant from beginning to end each day. 

Whatever your current adjustments are, I must ask, where are you turning? What provides you with confidence, assurance, rest, and guidance when you are in uncertain times? We must allow God to be who He always is. Our refuge and our rock.  He is always present. 

“I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.”  -Psalms 18:1-3

“ For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” -Psalms 62:1-2

“On God rests my salvation and my glory;

my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” -Psalms 62:7

Being Brought Low As A Stimulus For Faith

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

-Philippians 4:10-13

A stimulus for faith is an assurance that builds your trust in the Lord through any situation that you find yourself in. Finding consistency in trusting in the Lord is a sign of spiritual maturity. In other words, every moment in life for a believer is an opportunity to seek the presence of God for guidance in living out that time for the will and purposes of God. Here in this passage, we see the Apostle Paul proclaimed in the moments of trial and tribulation that he is content and confident because of what he has in Christ. Salvation has such an effect that nothing else is important. Specifically, when times in life being an extra measure of humility through challenges that break us down, faith and trust are able to find assurance in Christ. We must intentional direct our hearts towards Him through thoughts that are directed by drawing near in personal worship. Lowliness is able to drive us closer to God or is an opportunity for discouragement as a result of our flesh and temptation from the evil one. This reminder is great because God is faithful to reveal himself so we must be faithful in turning to Him. James mentions this important truth as a remedy for wordiness that is revealed in fights and quarrels amongst the people of God. This is found in James 4:7-10,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

When the moment of temptation comes, the believer must react with intentions of pursuing the faithfulness of God. Single-minded devotion that leads you to trust in the one that has provided eternal life through the substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. His great work of the cross leads to the continuation of His great works in the lives of those who trust in Him. He will exalt those that dwell in humility and lowliness. He is the source of confidence, endurance, and restful contentment in trying times. Let’s trust in the Lord today!

Implications of God’s Work In Times of Lowliness

1. Faith and Trust Find Assurance When People Fail You

Turning to God’s faithfulness in times when you have been failed by others leads to having patience in working through these relationships. No created being can fulfill all our expectations. From disappointments to outright personal acts of malice, this world is full of opportunities to be brought low by others. These are times of growth for our faith and trust in the Lord. Let these moments drive you to the presence of God.

      2. Faith and Trust Find Assurance When Circumstances Fail You

Turning to God’s faithfulness is also important in times when the circumstances of life fail you. Whether the result of past choices or just by chance, the circumstances of life that are challenging can lead to God’s provision of perspective to endure with the present times with the future hope of salvation. A believer is able to see the struggles of the present through the lens of eternity now secured in Christ. This provides wisdom to find calm in the midst of earthly chaos. Circumstances are challenging through moments of changing plans and the changing of culture. Let these moments drive you to the wisdom of God that reveals the bigger picture.

    3. Faith and Trust Find Assurance When You Fail

Turning to God’s faithfulness is finally important in times of personal failure. Choices come every day and the tendency to make the wrong choice is often as we continue in our redeemed but fragile nature, as a believer. From mistakes of emotional reaction to intentional moments of rebellion, the need to repent of our sins to draw near to God. Being brought low by the consequences of a personal decision is another opportunity to grow in faith and trust by asking the Lord to strengthen you to move forward in actual change. He is faithful to provide!

It is about being driven to the Lord’s presence!

"You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

 -Psalm  16:11

Some Thoughts On The Life of Faith Under Social Restrictions

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

I wanted to share a few thoughts at the beginning of this time of restricted social gatherings.

1.  Technology helps, although not perfect

With the ability to use the internet and phone calls, we are able to stay connected even during times like these when we are restricted to our very small gatherings. The church must be proactive to reach out through the methods like never before to stay in each other's lives. Our phones have been a problem for so long that the idea of them being of such value now under these circumstances, is strange. Moving through different and strange times can be done efficiently through effective communication. Communication is work, however, that must be intentional.  Nothing beats in-person interaction, but for temporary struggles, we have many opportunities for alternative communication.

2. Solitude is a spiritual discipline 

Temporary solitude has been recognized as a spiritual discipline that was modeled by our Lord and Savior. This time is for a renewed focus on the Lord that is free from the distractions of normal everyday life. Normally this is a voluntary practice that one seeks to make a part of their routine of disciplines. During this time of restricted gatherings, one can take advantage of the time that is spent alone or with family units. No more extra activities that we recognize as being a threat to family units. For those with children at home, solitude may only be a dream for the future, but an increased time of family solitude can be an increased time of family worship and prayer. Regardless of your situation, find the best way to commune with God under these circumstances. 

3. Corporate worship will now be yearned for more than ever

I saw this mentioned by a fellow pastor in reaction to the closing of public worship and I believe he is right. We have seen public worship as just a part of our regular routine for so long. So much so that we have to work hard to engage with the Lord in worship and not just passively go through the motions. This interruption may have a positive effect on the other side where we actually learn to long for our time of worship together in order to meet with God as a family. I hope those that have viewed the church as a take it or leave it option will also see the value of community in Christ with more clarity. 

4. Change and challenges are a catalyst for growth

No one looks forward to challenges or hardship, but our Lord does proclaim that persecution, for example, is a trait and blessing of the believer's life. (Matthew 5:2-12) The refinement that happens when the church is attacked or challenged with hard circumstances is of great value and comfort. (Romans 5:1-5) With the first major interruption to regular in-person meetings of the church of this magnitude, I believe we will be better on the other side. Most good things come after sacrifice and struggle that builds your character and determination. This is true even in the life of faith. 

"Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!"   -Psalm 27:7-14

"If our hearts delight in God and his face, then we can contemplate losing earthly joys without fear"-Tim Keller