January 5 | Stay in Balance

Don’t lose your balance. 2 Peter 3:17

If you are an all-or-nothing person, the word for you today is to stay in balance. Serve God fervently, but don’t forget to love your family and spend time with them. Work hard, but don’t forget to play, relax, and smell the roses. Think regularly about heaven, your permanent residence, but maximize every moment you have here on earth for God’s glory. The Bible puts it this way: You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). To live a balanced life, you must learn to exercise grace in your dealings with others and deepen your knowledge of God’s Word. If you strive for one but neglect the other, your life will be out of balance. The best way to stay in balance is to develop these two habits:

  • Get regular feedback from the right people: Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said (Malachi 3:16). We are meant to grow together, not separately. As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other (Proverbs 27:17). Only as you interact with the right people and get regular feedback can you become the person God wants you to be.
  • Check yourself regularly: The Bible says, “Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. If you fail the test, do something about it (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).” To be spiritually healthy you must regularly check up on such areas as your stewardship, fellowship, ministry to others, character, Bible reading and prayer. 

Consider: When is the last time you had the right type of person speak into your life? Spend some time this week allowing the Holy Spirit to give you a checkup.

January 6 | Fight for your Marriage

Marriage should be honored by all. Hebrews 13:4 

When asked the secret of his long, happy marriage, Henry Ford replied, it’s the same formula I’ve used in making cars: stick to one model and never quit trying to make it better. Pretty good advice, right?

Read the following words carefully: It wasn’t one action or one word, but a series of little unresolved spats and quarrels that now makes TV the solution to the problems of a hard day, and silences us when we should say, ‘I’m sorry’, or ‘Thank you’, or ‘You look really nice’. Today I no longer tell you I love you because the sound of those words mocks the special meaning they once carried. Now it’s too painful to remember that those feelings we said we’d never lose were, tear by tear, left in the past.

What happened? He gets wrapped up in his job, hoping to shore up his self-esteem by being impressive at work. She gets wrapped up in the kids and may have a job as well. So, they pass each other in the driveway and the hallway, but it doesn’t have to be that way! You can decide to fight for your marriage. It will take time and you’ll have to give up certain activities that are important to you. Set a date night, take a walk, pull the plug on the television, or simply sit at the table and talk to each other after dinner. If you’re willing to change your schedule and your ways, believing that a good marriage is worth it, you can win.

Consider: Consider fasting from media this week and take that time to pour into your marriage. Ask questions, listen attentively, give your spouse ALL your attention. If you are not married, consider fasting media this week and giving that attention to someone who needs it. Cultivate and grow your relationship with others. Fight for your relationships!

January 7 | How Soon We Forget

They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Psalms 106:7

The story of the Israelites is a lot like our own story. God blesses us, and then we forget Him- not totally, just until we get into the next mess. Then, we call for His help again and He intervenes on our behalf. Now, you would think we’d see the light, change our ways, and give God His rightful place in our lives. But often we just repeat the pattern, keeping God in the basement like a janitor and calling on Him when we have another mess to clean up.

The Israelites were no different. He rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. They believed his promises and they sang his praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience (v.10-14). Someone has said, “We’re not slow learners, we’re just quick forgetters.” Why do we forget God so easily? 

Busyness. We don’t take time to read His Word and pray. We compartmentalize. We keep God in a Sunday morning slot or a brief devotional time. “Their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience.” We refuse to govern our minds by the principles of Scripture. Realizing his tendency to forget God, the Psalmist wrote: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing…I will praise the Lord who counsels me…I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices (Psalms 16:2, 7-9).”

Consider: Make a list of 20 things that the Lord has taught you or done for you in the last year. Spend time thanking the Lord for His ongoing goodness to you and caring for you like a tender Shepherd. 

January 8 | Make Prayer A Habit, Part 1

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 

Habits are powerful things. We form our habits, and then our habits form us. This year, make it a habit to spend time with God in prayer each day. To be like Jesus we must pray regularly, for He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Once you cultivate an awareness of God’s presence, you’ll prefer His company to that of anybody else. Shut off your TV, your computer, and your phone and you’ll make a wonderful discovery: In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalms 16:11).

John Wesley said, “I have so much to do that I must spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.” Martin Luther said, “Prayer is the most important thing in my life. If I should neglect prayer for a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.” The hymnist wrote, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.” When the disciples asked Jesus about prayer, He began by saying, “When you pray” (See Matthew 6:9-15). He assumed they’d have a regular time for prayer. Could He assume that about you?

Consider: Diagnose your prayer life on a scale of 1-10. What is your action plan to see it increase? Consider designating a daily time you pull away to pray. Schedule it into your daily routine and mark it on your calendar. 

January 9 | Make Prayer A Habit, Part 2

“He knelt down…three times [a] day and prayed.” Daniel 6:10 

Peter, whom God used to help build the church, and John, whom God used to write the book of Revelation, made time in their daily schedule for prayer. Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (Acts 3:1). The apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, said, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 

Daniel’s habit of praying was so well-known that his enemies used it to trap him. He knelt on his knees three times [a] day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying (Daniel 6:10-11). Daniel’s prayers shut the mouths of lions and caused a heathen king to say: “Men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God…His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed…He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel prospered (v. 26-28). The Psalmist wrote, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91:1).

Once you identify your secret place and begin to use it regularly, a kind of aura surrounds it. You will grow to love it, and eventually it will become the most important place in your life. The power of prayer defies calculation. Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer, except that which lies outside the will of God.

Consider: Do you have your own secret place? If not, what area of your daily life can you turn into your secret place? Do whatever it takes to establish this spot and make it somewhere you look forward to being. 

January 10 | Make Prayer A Habit, Part 3

God has surely listened and heard my prayer. Psalms 66:19 

The Psalmist wrote, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my prayer” (vv. 18-19). The character flaws you are working on and your tendency to stumble from time-to-time don’t disqualify you from God’s blessing. The sin you cherish does that! In prayer, the first 

thing God will want to talk to you about is usually the last thing you want to talk to Him about namely. The sin you don’t want to let go of will keep you from the place of prayer. When Adam sinned, he hid from God, saying, “I heard Your voice…and I was afraid because I was naked” (Genesis 3:10). Billy Graham said: “The Christian should have an appetite for prayer. He should want to pray. One does not have to force food upon a healthy child. Exercise, good circulation, health, and labor demand food for sustenance. So it is with those who are spiritually healthy. They have an appetite for the Word of God and for prayer. A little girl committed a certain offense and when her mother discovered it, she began to question her daughter. Immediately the child lost her smile, and a cloud darkened her face as she said, ˜Mother, I don’t feel like talking.” So it is with us, when our fellowship with God is broken by sin in our lives. We do not feel like talking to Him. So, if you don’t feel like praying today, it’s probably a good indication that you need to. 

Consider: If your relationship with the Lord feels cool or distant, ask yourself if you are cherishing sin in your heart. When you see it, confess your sin knowing He is faithful to forgive and restore you. 

January 11 | Jesus Understands, Part 1

“He faced all the same testings we do.” Hebrews 4:15 

The Lord understands what you are going through today because He has been where you are. The Bible says: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (v.15-16). That means: 

  • Jesus understands your family problems. He had a family of His own, and on one occasion they said, “He’s out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).
  • Jesus understands when you feel overwhelmed. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile. He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). Jesus dealt with on-the-job pressures. He had to organize, train, and correct His own followers, including a bunch of uneducated fishermen, a bigot, and a despised tax collector. 
  • Jesus understands when you feel rejected. The town He grew up in had no use for Him: He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1:11). When 

Philip said, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of…Jesus…from Nazareth! Nathanael said, ˜Nazareth… You’ve got to be kidding!” (v. 45). And Jesus’ family tree was nothing to write home about either. Rahab was a prostitute, Jacob was a crook, David was an adulterer, just to name just a few. Yes, Jesus understands. He knows where you’re at today and He’s able to help you. Talk to Him!

Consider: Spend some time thanking the Lord that He understands exactly what you are going through. Bring each situation and person before Him, thanking Him that He knows it all. Pray for His will to be done in each situation.

January 12 | Jesus Understands, Part 2

“He faced all of the same testings we do.” Hebrews 4:15 

Are you disappointed in people? Jesus understands. In his final moments on Earth, those He loved and counted on let Him down. Judas, His treasurer, sold Him out and sealed the deal with a kiss. Even in His darkest hour at Gethsemane, His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, couldn’t stay awake and pray with Him for an hour (See Matthew 26:40).

Are you tired of the demands of life? Jesus understands. “A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and He healed them all” (See Matthew 4:23-24). You say, “But if Jesus was God how could He get tired?” Because He was both God and man. He had to be God in order to save us, and man in order to die for us. Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime (John 4:6). 

Have you ever been falsely accused? Jesus understands. They accused Him of being a lush, a friend of the riffraff (Matthew 11:19). Up until the time of His death they were still trying to find something false so they could kill him (Matthew 26:59). So why did Jesus go through these things? Since he himself has gone through suffering, he is able to help use (Heb 2:18 NLT). He walked the path you’re on today so that you could go to Him knowing He understands, and that He is able to help. 

Consider: Consider that the Lord wants to walk with you on your path. Take some time today and invite Him into every heavy circumstance you are facing. 

January 13 | God Will Take Care of You

“Give all your worries to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 

Think about the things you worried about last year, or even last week. How many came to pass? Statistically, 10% at most! Did all your worrying make them better or worse? Consider the physical and emotional toll of worry. Dr. Charles Mayo, founder of the famous Mayo Clinic, said, “Worry negatively affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, and the whole nervous system. It profoundly affects your health. I have never known a person who died from overwork, but many who died from worry.”

The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). By committing each day to the Lord, you are trusting Him to go before you and to work things out for your good. When worry comes to prey on your mind, attack it with the promises of God. Bring your fears to God and watch them shrivel and die. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Philippians 4:7). George Muller said, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”

Consider: In your prayer time today, bring the Lord every fear that has been robbing life. Cast your cares upon Him because He cares about you.

January 14 | Prayer, Not Pressure, Changes People

“But we all are changed by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Jesus asked the question, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). We can hurt relationships when we expect more out of people than they’re able to give. Nobody appreciates being given the message, even subtly, that they must change in order to be loved or accepted. We’re more likely to change for those who are willing to accept us with our shortcomings, than for those who demand we live by their rules.

One thing’s for sure: God won’t change the people we’re trying to change until we adopt a hands-off policy. We must get out of His way and let Him work. Even when we think we’re hiding our disapproval, people still feel it. It’s in our voice and body language. Prayer is the great change agent, not pressure. If we truly love people, we’ll pray for them and allow God to work on them His way, on His schedule, and for His glory. Many of those who irritate us are simply being themselves; their personality just doesn’t mesh with ours. Sometimes we want them to change when we need to change. Often, the things we require in other people are already available for us to enjoy if we’ll just stop judging them. For change to be lasting, it must come from the inside out, and only the Spirit of God can bring that kind of change.

Consider: This is a very important message for the church at large. It is time to increase our prayers for others and lay down our lofty expectations of people. Who have you been judging? Repent today and ask for a new heart to love them. 

January 15 | The Call to Leadership

“Rise and stand on your feet.” Acts 26:16 

If God has called you to leadership, you’ll be unfulfilled in any other slot. God told Paul, “Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister.” Notice what the call to leadership requires:

  • Competence: You must recognize your gifts, then channel your energies into where you’re most likely to succeed. That means acknowledging your limitations and equipping others to fill them. To do that, you must be secure. 
  • Courage: Scott Peck said, “The best decision-makers are those willing to suffer the most over their decisions but still retain their ability to be decisive.” Good leaders are not necessarily the smartest or most creative people, they’re just the ones with the courage to step out and go first. “So, be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:7).
  • Clarity: Your life’s vision may come at once, but the steps are revealed over time. Don’t allow a lack of answers to leave you paralyzed. Be clear about your goal, even if you’re not certain about the details. 
  • Coaching: Without a good coach you’ll never be as good as you could be. If you’re hoping to learn everything from personal experience, you’ll have to outlive Methuselah! 
  • Character: You can lead without character, but you can’t be a leader worth following. Character provides the moral authority to bring together the people and resources needed to get the job done. Your talent has the potential to take you places where your character can’t sustain you. That thought should keep you on your knees. 

Consider: Has God created you to be a leader? If so, who are you currently leading? If you are not leading anything, go before the Lord and ask Him to speak to you about where He would want you to step out.

January 16 | Living Fearlessly, Part 1

“You are my servant; I have chosen you.” Isaiah 41:9 

Have you ever wondered how animal trainers are able to control a five-ton elephant and keep it from running away? They do it by controlling the animal’s thinking. When a baby elephant is being trained, a rope is placed around its leg and then tied to a wooden post secured in the ground. The elephant, not yet strong, pulls at the rope but is unable to break it or to pull up the post. Eventually it gives up. From that point forward when the elephant’s leg is secured it believes it cannot get away, even though it is fully capable of escaping. It remembers its struggle. That’s one reason it’s said, “elephants never forget”. And we are like that too. 

Our thinking limits us, just as an elephant’s does. Often, our thought life is burdened by fear. Fearful thoughts can stunt our spiritual growth and hinder our intimacy with Christ. You may be afraid of failure or rejection, but often what we fear has no connection to reality. Here’s the good news: fear can be overcome. The first step to overcoming is to believe God when He says, “You are my servant; I have chosen you; do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (v. 9-10).

Consider: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal every thought that is limiting you. Take those thoughts captive and ask the Holy Spirit to release vision over your heart and mind. 

January 17 | Living Fearlessly, Part 2

“Do not fear, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10 

The words “do not fear” show up in the Bible, all the way from Genesis to Revelation. God understands that fear is not only our biggest enemy but our constant companion, and He wants to help us overcome it. One author writes: “Think of your comfort zone as a prison. It consists of a collection of “cannot, must, must-not,” and other unfounded beliefs formed from all the negative thoughts and decisions you have accumulated and reinforced during your lifetime. Every fear is like a bar in that prison. The good news is that because fears are feelings, the faulty ones can be removed by faith.

Does this mean you can live totally free from fear? No. Writer Michael Ignatieff says, “Living fearlessly is not the same thing as never being afraid. It’s good to be afraid occasionally. Fear is a great teacher.” What’s not good is to constantly live in fear, allowing it to dictate your choices and define who you are. Living fearlessly means standing up to fear, taking its measure, and refusing to let it shape and define your life. Living fearlessly means taking risks, taking gambles, and not playing it safe. It means refusing to settle for less than what God has promised and planned for you. 

Consider: Are you playing it safe? Living fearlessly means taking risks and trusting God. When is the last time you stepped out in faith on something the Lord spoke? Consider asking the Lord how He wants you to step out, and then do it! 

January 18 | Living Fearlessly, Part 3

I will uphold you with my right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 

When you know that what you’re doing is aligned with God’s will, you can be confident He’ll provide what you need and fight for you. God told His people, “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you (Deuteronomy 20:1). He later added, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too” (Deuteronomy 20:8). 

When we allow fear to rule in our heart, it’s fatal not only for us, but to those around us. Playwright David Mamet wrote: On June 5, 1944, thousands of American paratroopers jumped into Normandy. Four men refused to jump. Can anyone imagine the rest of these men’s lives? What prodigies of self-excuse, rationale, or repression they must have had to employ. Their lives, in effect, ended the day they refused to leave that plane. We all die in the end, but there’s no reason to die in the middle. You don’t overcome fear overnight. The word says, “the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32). The word “know” means “to be in relationship with, or to be intimate with.” Do you want to overcome your fears? Spend time in God’s Word. Prioritize your prayer life. Get to know God better. 

Consider: Assess your relationship with the Lord. Are you spending time in His Word? Are you making prayer a priority? “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).”

January 19 | Learning to Walk by Faith, Pt 1

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 

When God tells you the same thing three separate times, pay attention! The Word says that the just shall live by faith (See Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). This is not a suggestion for theological debate, it’s His will for your life. Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6). 

Let’s take a moment and consider some questions arising from this life-transforming truth:

  • Who are ‘the just’? Paul writes, “Know that a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith” (Galatians 2:16). Justification can’t be earned, it’s a free gift that comes by faith. If you have placed your trust in Christ, then you are fully accepted in God’s eyes. 
  • What is ‘walking’? Paul says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” Walking requires that you start moving. Walking involves motivation (you’re moved by a purpose), direction (you’ve chosen a destination, a goal to reach), and motion (you’re committed to mobilizing your energy and resources in the pursuit of your God-given destination and purpose). To walk by faith, you must be engaged in consistent, forward movement intended to bring you into God’s plan for your life.

Consider: Are you engaged in consistent, forward movement in your walk with the Lord? What excuses are you currently making to keep yourself stagnant? In your fast this week, exert yourself to action to hear His voice and obey immediately. 

January 20 | Learning to Walk By Faith, Pt 2

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 

Here is another question to consider: What is “walking by sight”? (See 2 Corinthians 5:7). It’s living your life based on how things look to the natural eye. It’s deciding and acting according to your perceptions and circumstances rather than God’s Word. It’s being dictated to by your feelings and thoughts. Your thoughts and feelings are yours. Examine them but don’t let them hijack you. Use your spirit-controlled temperament to bring your emotions under control. Too often, we are sandwiched between faith and doubt in a “catch-22” between what our transformed spirit says and what our carnal mind says. 

One day a distraught father brought his son to Jesus for healing. Jesus told him, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). At that point the boy’s father said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” At times we experience both faith and doubt. This man was honest about his doubts, yet Jesus still worked a miracle for him. If he had needed correction, Jesus would have corrected him. If his faith was not genuine, the Lord would have known it. But Jesus accepted his declaration of faith, despite his doubts. 

There are three lessons here for us:

  • Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your doubts.
  • Don’t let your doubts overrule your faith. God’s Word in the matter is God’s will for you. Stand on it. 
  • Hand your doubts over to the Lord and say, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 

Consider: The power of faith is very real. Many people say, “I believe God”, but if you find your faith lacking, ask Him to grow it in you as you repent of unbelief. 

January 21 | Learning to Walk by Faith, Pt 3

“Faith comes from hearing the message, through the word.” Romans 10:17 

What does it mean to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7)? It’s radically different from walking by sight, reason, emotion, or intellect. It calls you to live above these things. It enables you to enter the realm of supernatural possibilities because Jesus said, “All things are possible to one who believes (Mark 9:23).”

Scriptural Principles about Faith:

  • Faith is not rooted in human effort. Self-confidence, intellect, optimism, good luck, social connections, and religious formulas do not qualify as faith.
  • Faith is rooted in God’s unlimited power and unchanging Word. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word. The Word of God, received and residing within you, continuously produces faith within you.
  • Walking by faith calls for action Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deed (James 2:18). Until you act, your faith is useless. The moment you act, your faith springs to life, inviting God to move on your behalf.

Consider: Today He’s waiting for you to act so that He can respond to you. Even if you don’t feel like it, ask yourself, “What would my first step of faith be if I really felt like taking action?” Do it! You’ll be walking by faith and reaping the rewards! (See Hebrews 11:6). 

January 22 | Four Lessons Learned On Your Journey, Pt 1

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9 

Do you remember needing a road atlas when you took a trip? Now you just program your destination into a GPS, and it tells you where and when to turn, how far to the next gas station, and when you’ll arrive. No guessing, confusion, and wrong decisions. As a follower of Christ, you have a divine GPS in the Holy Spirit. He chooses the route and timing, and He guarantees you’ll get to your destination. By listening to Him you learn four valuable lessons. 

  • First, you learn to depend on God rather than yourself. Assuming you know all the twists and turns of life makes you act without consulting God. Samson believed he’d figured how the system worked. When Delilah sold him out and the Philistines bound him with ropes, he thought he’d handle things the way he always did: “I will do as before and shake myself free. But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him” (Judges 16:20). Living victoriously means living in total dependence on God. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 
  • Second, you change your perspective. You may not always look where you’re going, but you will always end up going where you’re looking! Your perspective determines your choices and direction in life. After paying dearly for following his lower impulses, David changed his perspective and prayed, “My eyes are fixed on you, Lord (Psalm 141:8).” 

Consider: Where are your eyes usually focused throughout your day?. Ask the Lord to change your perspective as you discipline your gaze toward Him. 

January 23 | Four Lessons Learned On Your Journey, Pt 2

“Call to me and I will tell you things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 

  • Third, you learn the secret of prayer. Do you feel lost in unfamiliar territory, uncertain as to what your next move should be? God uses such times to get your attention, call you back to Himself and encourage you to lean on Him. Stop trying to figure everything out by yourself! God says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you things you do not know.” Take your problem to the Lord and ask Him for a solution. He won’t disappoint you. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”
  • Fourth, you learn the power of patience. When the Holy Spirit gives you direction and puts a goal or dream in your heart, it’s easy to be quick on the trigger and want it to happen overnight. Timing is crucial. It’s under God’s control, not yours! Waiting for God’s timing isn’t wasted time, it is essential in developing two qualities you need: faith and hope. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:25). While you are learning patience, God is at work arranging things on your behalf, producing Christlike qualities in you. 

Consider: The Psalmist said that his hope was in God. What’s your hope in? Good luck? The economy? The doctor’s prognosis? As long as your hope is in anything other than God’s unfailing love and goodness, you willll wrestle with uncertainty. What’s the answer? “Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7). 

January 24 | This Year, Live By The Beatitudes, Pt 1

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 

For the next few days, let’s look at the Beatitudes. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus wasn’t saying He’s against you having money, but He is against money having you. He will prosper you so that you can finance and fulfill His purposes in the earth, but He doesn’t measure the size of your faith by the size of your bank balance. In one of His parables Jesus called a wealthy man a fool. That wasn’t because the man was rich, it was because he wasn’t rich toward God (Luke 12:21). 

John D. Rockefeller once said, “I’ve made many millions, but they brought me no real happiness. I’d barter them all for the days I sat on an office stool in Cleveland and counted myself rich on three dollars a week.” Having more money may give you social status, but serving God gives you kingdom-significance. Keep your focus on what matters and live for what lasts.  

Consider:  Focus on what lasts, not on what doesn’t. Serving God gives you Kingdom-significance. Are you serving the Lord? 

January 25 | This Year, Live By The Beatitudes, Pt 2

“Blessed are those who mourn.” Matthew 5:4 

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Grief is the price we pay for love. One author writes: “We wonder when grief hits hard. Why did this happen? Was it to remind us of the brevity of life? Was it to deepen the faith of those who carry on?” It’s hard to answer “yes” when everything seems dark. The most important thing to us at that moment is to be relieved of the pain. But when we move through adversity rather than avoid it, we greet it differently. We become willing to let it teach us. Like Joseph, we see how God can use it for some larger end. Ultimately, mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of the only One who can heal us.

The Bible says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalms 30:5). God has promised that morning will come, and your grief will ease with time. The fact that you’re willing to embrace the pain rather than try to escape it guarantees that. It’s not that you’ll forget, it’s that you’ll remember differently with more gratitude and less grief. 

This beatitude answers two questions: 

  • What happens to those who die in the Lord? Let not your heart be troubled. In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3). 
  • What about those of us who must go on living? The God of all comfort comforts us that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). 

Consider: As we break the fast today, ask the Lord to speak to you about fasting throughout the rest of the year. When He speaks, mark it on your schedule and continue in this life-giving discipline we are called to!