Sword of the Spirit – Oasis #1051

Posted on October 4, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1051

“Oasis”

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)

Perhaps you can recall a scene you have viewed from television and the movies where people are lost in a desert wasteland. Their water supply has run out and the days pass as they travel on foot seeking a way out. They walk at first, and then wearily trudge along as their chapped and split lips and skin show signs of severe dehydration. Later, we see them crawling along the desert sand desperately seeking water.  Then they see it, an oasis with a pool of water. They muster every last ounce of strength and tumble headlong into the pool. They drink deeply and splash about joyously, rejoicing in the renewal of life for their bodies that the water brings.

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

God’s Word uses the metaphor for thirst and water often. Our thirst drive is one of our strongest physical drives so it is easier for us to relate to God’s message about how desperate our spiritual need is for communion with Him.

Some desert oases are brackish or poisonous and to drink from them would leave us thirsty and most likely bring illness and death. The world around us offers us many false spiritual oases from which we try to satisfy our innate desire for communion with God to no avail. There is no substitute that can fill the ‘God-sized’ hole in our soul. These false oases take the form of religious cults, hedonism, and materialism. All who deny God and seek false oases will remain discontent, unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

…”Sir,” the (Samaritan) woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?… Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:7-14)

There is only one source of living water and that is Jesus Christ. Are you empty?

Do you feel a thirst in your spirit that is crying out to be satisfied?

Do you have an abundance of what this life has to offer yet remain discontented?

Jesus said: …To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life… (Revelation 21:6-8)

We live in a dry, parched society that denies God and His plan for salvation for us through His Son, Jesus. We are presented with many false oases while governments seek to block access to the one true oasis for Living Water, Jesus Christ. Many of our churches have followed suit and poisoned their oases with compromised teaching and interpretation of the Word of God in order to better fit into current societal norms.

Accept no substitute. Come to Jesus and dive headlong with total abandon into the oasis of His presence and experience the joy and inner peace of renewal and revival of your soul.

Posted in Business as Mission, Relationship, Salvation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Grudgingly #1050

Posted on September 27, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1050

“Grudgingly”

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

As born-again Christians our life this side of heaven is to be characterized as that of servants, followers of Jesus. We are to serve, sometimes sacrificially, our Lord, Christ.

We are to take faith in the Living Word of God and put it into daily action in every relationship context of our lives: God, Family, Work, Government, Society, Self, and Church. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (James 2:14-16)

Easier said than done, isn’t it? After a time, the joy of serving wanes. We begin to just plod along from sheer momentum, compulsion and routine. We see others living a seemingly selfish ‘blessed life’ with abundance of the things of this world and tons of free time for themselves and we begin to resent our sacrificial service. Yet we continue to serve albeit grudgingly. Such resentful service does not honor God and is detrimental to our spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) This Scripture is most often used in the context of tithes and offerings but it applies equally to the giving of self and our time in serving others.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 5:8)

If our joy in service has given way to resentment it is because we have drifted away from fellowship with Jesus and have taken our eyes off of Him and placed them on self and the things of this world. Rekindle your joy and dispel resentment by refocusing your heart on Jesus and His purpose and plan for you.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2)

May the joy of the presence of the Lord Jesus be in your heart to overflowing.

May all people you encounter in your daily life be attracted to the genuinely joyful warmth of your smile which stems from the presence of Christ and His love for them.

May your ‘everyday’ be a day holy to the Lord as you joyfully serve others in His Name.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Love, Priorities, Purpose, Service | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Just Kidding #1049

Posted on September 21, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1049

“Just Kidding”

Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18,19)

Has a ‘friend’ ever hurt you by telling a joke at your expense? Have you ever told a joke that hurt someone?

People are very quick to justify their words by saying ‘Just kidding’ in an attempt to laugh off the hurt feelings that they have caused others to have.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, (Matthew 12:36)

If you get real honest with yourself you will acknowledge that oftentimes there was a spark of your true feelings and biases as the catalyst behind the joking remark you made about someone else. God’s Word exhorts us to be kind toward others. Our hurtful jabs disguised as a joke are far from kind.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Is there conflict in your family, workplace, or church community? Are there unresolved hurt feelings that are kept hidden? Jokes and kidding remarks about someone’s physical appearance, clothing, ethnic heritage, age or intelligence can be the spark that sets off a raging fire of interpersonal conflict.

…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:5)

People can be very sensitive to certain aspects of themselves that may become the brunt of jokes. Some never outgrow this sensitivity. It is not for us to chide them stating that they need to grow up. It is for us to respect them enough to speak kindly and bring healing rather than hurt.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

If you knowingly have hurt someone with your joking remarks go and ask them for forgiveness. Do not justify your statements – simply ask for forgiveness.

If more people would be cautious and choose their words carefully and if more people were of sufficient backbone to ask for forgiveness when they have wronged someone else than what a different world we would live in.

It has to start with somebody – why not you and me?

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Forgiveness, Relationship, Words, Workplace | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Why? #1048

Posted on September 11, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1048

Why?

…but God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:20)

Have you ever gone through trials and difficult times and asked God ‘Why?’ Perhaps your health is suffering and the doctors are baffled by it. It could be that you have experienced the loss of loved ones, a job, home, or finances. Regardless of the circumstances, you begin to wonder if and why God is punishing you. Perhaps you were frustrated to the point of despair by the counsel of well-meaning friends and family that you needed to pray harder, longer, or more frequently. When all is said and done, your best counsel during these ‘Why God?’ situations is found in the Word of God.

First and foremost we must understand that as a born-again, child of God, His Word tells us that all things work together for our good and even the trials should give us joy. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose; Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…(Romans 8:28; James 1:2-5)

Secondly, we must understand from God’s Word the difference between God’s punishment, discipline, and sovereign purpose. As a child of God we are not punished for our sins – Jesus paid that price once and for all time when He bore our sins on the cross. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness… (1 Peter 2:24)

There are however natural consequences for our sins. I may end up in prison for having committed a crime. I may suffer health issues for having lived an ‘at-risk’ lifestyle in the past. These are consequences and not to be confused as punishment from God. However, God does discipline His children as any good father does.  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons…For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11)  Jonah was disciplined by God and like him we sometimes choose to ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit and stubbornly go our own way. God loves us enough to discipline us in order to correct our path.

It was through God’s sovereign purpose and plan that Job and Joseph encountered trials. Many of us go through a difficult or trying period in our lives and immediately question God. We wonder why God would allow us to have such difficulty. We gripe, whine, complain, and question God’s love for us. We reserve thanksgiving and praise for the times when we get what we want – when things are ‘going our way’.

One thing remains certain for the child of God: God loves us more than can be measured and all His plans for us are for our good. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds; For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Psalm 108:4; Jeremiah 29:11-13)

May you endure the trials of this life joyfully trusting in the Truth of the Word of God. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26)

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Faith, Trials, Trust | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Forgive #1047

Posted on September 3, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1047

“Forgive”

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

We have several mature cedar trees on our property. Their branches grow low to the ground and provide an effective screen of the road and adjacent properties. Unfortunately they also hide weeds that grow up inside the canopy and threaten to kill the tree. Our solution was to hem the skirt of the tree allowing us to see and remove weeds as they begin to take root near the trunk. As we tugged and pulled to remove a thorny vine that had embedded itself in the tree I was reminded that this weed is similar to the root of bitterness and unforgiveness that takes hold in our lives if we allow it. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31-32)

Have you ever wronged someone who would not forgive you no matter how many times you repented and sought reconciliation? Have you ever felt the bondage of pridefulness keeping you from asking for forgiveness? Perhaps you have struggled with the false satisfaction of vengeance gained through unforgiveness. ‘I’ll make them crawl and beg before I forgive them’, you may have thought. Have you ever half-heartedly forgiven someone only to flog him or her with the memory of their infraction at a later time, perhaps even years later?

Unforgiveness – your inability to truly forgive is a major stumbling block in your Christian walk and a serious hindrance to your effectual prayer. Your prayers of intercession for your spouse, children, church, business and coworkers are hindered when you harbor unforgiveness in your heart. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. (1 John 2:9) The word translated ‘hate’ in this Scripture verse carries the meaning of ‘loving less’ which we would have a lack of love for someone for whom we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness.

It is through the indwelling power of Jesus Christ that we are able to forgive. When we choose to harbor unforgiveness we choose to break our identity with Jesus and walk down a cold and dangerous path. Jesus taught us that if we do not forgive, neither would we be forgiven. This is a sobering thought that should give even the most bitter of hearts pause.

It has been said that bitterness is the cup of poison that we drink hoping that the other person dies. Do you value your choice to harbor bitterness, vengeance, and unforgiveness over a close relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it more important to you than effective prayer? Is bitterness more valuable to you than your own personal forgiveness from God?

Pray and reflect on the relationships in your life and ask God to reveal to you any areas of unforgiveness that you are harboring. Forgive and be forgiven and enjoy freedom from the bondage and malignancy of bitterness that stems from unforgiveness. Forgive and be forgiven and enjoy the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. …as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Posted in Business as Mission, Forgiveness, Marriage, Prayer, Relationship | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Make a Difference #1046

Posted on August 28, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1046

“Make a Difference”

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

An anecdotal story is told about starfish beached by a storm. Although this story has many varied forms, its message remains the same. One person is methodically picking up starfish and gently tossing them back into the ocean before they die from being exposed to the morning sun. When asked by a bystander why he bothers and how he could possibly make a difference because of the vast number of exposed starfish the individual rescues one more, turns to the bystander and says, ‘It made a difference for that one.’

Life can be chaotically busy. Working full-time, household chores, caring for elderly parents – it is hard to find quiet down time. The Lord has convicted me lately that I have been suffering from ‘Martha Syndrome’. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Mary chose to set aside the cares of the world for a season and soak in the presence of Jesus. She was preparing herself to make a difference.

My quiet morning prayer time has been plagued recently with rapid fire random thoughts of projects and plans making it difficult to rest and worship in the presence of Jesus. The tick-tock tyranny of the clock tells me it is time to leave for work and I feel cheated as I leave with less than the full armor of the Lord on. If we are to make a difference in this world, it will be by the power and abiding presence of Jesus in us.  You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Make a difference in others’ lives by first making a difference in your own. Learn to quench the distractions of the world and press into worship and the presence of Jesus. Seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit every day – throughout the day. Seek to walk in the light of His abiding presence.

Make a difference in others’ lives by voting based upon biblical values and principles. Just as a grain of sand can tip the scales in a balance, your one vote can make a difference.

Make a difference in others’ lives with a smile and cheerful greeting. See them through Jesus’ eyes of love.

Make a difference in others’ lives at work by your example as the light of the world. Let the light of Jesus in you leak out in your work ethic, words and character.

Make a difference in others’ lives by being ready in season and out of season to share the Gospel with those whose hearts have been prepared to receive salvation through faith in Jesus.

May you be equipped with the power and presence of Jesus to make a difference in people’s lives – one person at a time.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Morality, Priorities, Purpose, Relationship, Salvation, Service, Words, Workplace, Worship | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – I See Dead People #1045

Posted on August 20, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1045

“I See Dead People”

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”- (John 8:24)

Our reference Scripture verse is a promise of God that is unpopular with many. As I contemplated the eternal implications and consequences of this promise I was reminded of a famous line from the movie, The Sixth Sense, where the young boy tells Bruce Willis’ character, ‘I see dead people’.

Indeed, we see spiritually dead people in our everyday lives.

We work with dead people;

We shop among dead people;

We travel alongside dead people;

We play sports with dead people;

We live in the same neighborhood with dead people.

We even attend church with dead people.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – (2 Peter 3:9)

Do you feel the patient burden of God’s love for the lost when you are among them? I confess that oftentimes I want to escape the cesspool of the world and retreat to a place far from the company of dead people. This is a normal reaction and Jesus did just that setting an example for us to remain in prayer and fellowship with Our Father in Heaven. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)

God has called us to carry His light into the darkness of this world. He asks us to be in it but not of it. He wants us to abide in Him and be equipped with His Holy Spirit and the full armor of God as we bring His Gospel to the masses of ‘dead people’.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – (Matthew 5:14-16)

A dear brother recently wrote in his inspired devotional that we are ‘living translations’ of the Word of God. We live side by side, elbow to elbow with dead people. We experience the same context of trials, issues, challenges, and difficulties. How we respond in word, action, and attitude is a translation of the Living Word of God.

The lost were drawn to Jesus – to the Light of the Father that was in Him. Are the dead people in your social and work context drawn to the Light of Christ abiding in you? Will they hear your testimony or will they judge its validity by their remembrance of your actions and attitudes? How true is your ‘Living Translation’?

May you remain in the Word. May you know the power and presence of Christ abiding in you and you in Him. May His light draw dead people to eternal life through Jesus. May you be ready in season and out of season to be Christ in their midst.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Forgiveness, Holiness, Obedience, Prayer, Purpose, Relationship, Salvation, Workplace | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Feeding Fear #1044

Posted on August 13, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1044

“Feeding Fear”

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…You will not fear … Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place… (Psalm 91:1-9)

This devotional is a repost from January 2013. I am prompted to update and publish it again due to circumstances of late in my own life as well as those around me. This past week, my wife was stuck in an elevator – alone. This is one of her worst nightmares and her testimony of how the Lord brought her safely through it is amazing. Others I know are undergoing surgery or anxiously awaiting biopsy results. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you… (Isaiah 41:10)

An acrostic for the word ‘FEAR’ has been defined as False Expectations Appearing Real. False expectations in life feed our fears causing us to worry, distrust and to feebly attempt to control our circumstances. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Isaiah 26:3-4

We feed our fears by what we feed our minds. We feed our minds by what we listen to, speak out, and visualize. A steady diet of the nightly news broadcasts will feed our fears. When we speak out negative prognostications we feed the fears of others and reinforce our own. When we visualize the worst case scenarios we begin to expect and believe them giving rise to worry and fretting. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things … and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9

We cannot escape being bombarded and affected by all that is negative in this fallen world. We can however vaccinate ourselves from fear and worry by keeping our mind stayed on the Lord and to think and speak about the things that bring the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds.…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:6

What is it that you fear? Is it sickness, dying, growing old, or losing independence? Do you fear financial loss and failure? Do you fear for your children’s or grandchildren’s future? We become open to fear when we allow ourselves to become distant from God. We become vulnerable to fear when we neglect to daily put on the whole armor of God.

May your mind be protected by the helmet of salvation from whatever it is that you fear. May you be protected by the shield of faith from all that Satan throws at you to feed your fears. May you wield the sword of the spirit by speaking out the Truth of the Word of God to encourage your heart and the hearts of others thereby destroying strongholds of fear through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid…of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence …- Proverbs 3:23-26

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Peace, Prayer, Trials, Trust | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – The Armed Church #1043

Posted on August 6, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1043

“The Armed Church”

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; (Psalm 46:1)

A man came into my workplace this past week seeking assistance with security cameras. He introduced himself as the Pastor of a local Pentecostal church which has been receiving threats of violence. The threats stem from the fact that, as the Pastor worded it, ‘I preach that sin is still sin and hell is hot and that the Truth of the Word of God will not be compromised.’ As a Viet Nam Vet, a warrior, this Pentecostal Pastor shared the angst he was feeling as he wrestled with how to deal with the threat against the people of his church in balance with the Word of God.

We discussed the measures that some churches are taking to hire armed security guards or even to arm themselves. A church in Tampa Bay has posted a warning sign stating that they are heavily armed and that any attempt to harm them will be met with deadly force. Jerry Falwell, Jr. has encouraged the students of Liberty University to arm themselves and the movement continues in churches across our country.

This issue becomes muddied and clouded with arguments about second amendment rights to bear arms and the commandment not to kill. Some cite the fact that the early church passively accepted persecution, torture and death and that this same testimony of faith is necessary for the church today. At the risk of oversimplification, it appears to me that the root issue to understand is two-fold. First is the difference between vengeance and defense and the second is to be clear about where our faith and trust is placed: in God or in our weapon.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”(Romans 12:19)

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (Psalm 144:1)

…Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built… (Nehemiah 4:17-18)

…For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32-35)

The Word clearly admonishes us to leave vengeance to the Lord while allowing for us to defend ourselves through faith and trust in Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

This is not an easy issue for churches to resolve. May you prayerfully study the Scriptures and step out in faith and trust in God whichever path you decide.

Posted in Business as Mission, Direction, Faith, Prayer, Trials, Trust | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Today #1042

Posted on July 30, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                           1042

“Today”

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Sometimes we need a reminder – a gentle nudge in the spirit to correct our thinking or course of action. This devotional is the Lord’s nudge for me. I first wrote on this topic seven years ago and I am prompted to reissue the exhortation again today. …exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,”… (Hebrews 3:13)

I was given pause the other day as I clicked on the ‘TODAY’ button on my online calendar planning tool. If your planner is similar to mine you have appointments and schedules ‘penciled’ in for weeks and months in advance. But it is the imperative nature of ‘today’ that needs to be addressed since today is what we have and we are not promised tomorrow. Just ask the people victimized by the fires currently burning in the western United States how quickly their tomorrow schedules can be re-written. Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. – James 4:13

Did your today begin in prayer and fellowship with God? Are you seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness each day – or are you preoccupied with your worldly events scheduled for the day and beyond? Every ‘Today’ that the Lord gives us is a gift from Him. Every ‘Today’ should begin with worship, prayer, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in His presence. This equips you with the full armor of God to defeat the enemy’s attack that is sure to come. It fills you with the peace and joy of His abiding presence. Time with God at the start of each today takes the dread of the day away.

Did the Lord speak to your heart at the start of today about something you need to correct?  Perhaps you have acted out in anger and the Lord has prompted you to seek forgiveness and repair a relationship with your spouse, friend, family member or neighbor. Today is the time to obey His prompting. Do not allow the root of bitterness to take hold. You may not have a tomorrow to reconcile a relationship in obedience to God. You only have today. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts; …do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Hebrews 3:7; Ephesians 4:26)

Have you withheld or delayed payment due to someone or denied someone help when the Lord prompted you to give of yourself or out of your need? The Lord will speak to your heart about these things that hinder your close walk with Him. Today is the time to act in obedience. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. (Proverbs 3:28)

Are you worried about the future? Do current global events keep your anxiety level high? We grow in faith and trust by spending time with God. Don’t relegate your relationship with God to nothing more than an occasional weekend religious event. Trust dispels worry and brings peace in the midst of the storm. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)

May you make the most of every ‘Today’ rejoicing in the power and presence of our Lord, Jesus.

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Hope, Obedience, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Relationship, Stewardship, Trials, Trust, Worship | Tagged , , | Leave a comment