ONE HANDFUL IS BETTER

If we’re going to tip the scale in a better direction, it’s going to take a radical change of belief and practice. We need new thinking based on God’s Word, not on a chorus of conflicting voices in the culture around us. With God’s help, we can create a better life for ourselves. And I believe it starts with this key principle: “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

Think about what this means for a moment. It is better to have less of what doesn’t matter and more of what does matter. It is better to have enough so that you can enjoy what you have than to have more and never enjoy it. Peace is better than stress. Less really is more. 

-- Chris Hodges in “The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise”

#5023

PRAYING WHEN IT’S HARD - Part 2

To try to be in control of my prayers and their answers is especially tempting for me when I am praying for a difficult situation, or for persons for whom I may prefer not to pray. The title of an article by Stephen Doughty -- “How Do We Pray When We are Divided?” -- made me pause and think. How do we pray for the church... for our country… for one another... when harmony and unity seem to elude us? Am I willing to hold my desires for “harmony” in the light of God’s will through the Holy Spirit? When prayer is difficult because of my own feelings of distrust or fear or anger or bitterness toward others, I especially need to be reminded of the words of a Benedictine monk who said, “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.” It is when I cannot pray because I do not have the words, or because there is less than perfect harmony in my own heart, or between myself and my brother and sister, that I need to be reminded of the promise in Romans 8:26. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Do we trust God enough to allow the Spirit to help us pray for the church, for the country, and for one another not knowing what the answers will be, yet willing to receive the gift of God’s will through the Holy Spirit? 

-- Adapted from a message by Harriet Finney entitled "Perfect Harmony"

#5022

PRAYING WHEN IT’S HARD - Part 1

Have you noticed how often Paul speaks of prayer as an integral part of the life of faith? In his epistle to Colossae, as in others of his letters, he frequently writes about prayer, with the assumption that prayer is already an integral part of their life of faith. Not praying was not even an option. “Devote yourselves to prayer,” he said, “keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2) Paul continues to encourage these early church members in their prayer life. For example, in the long list of greetings which are found at the close of this letter is one which I find especially interesting. It is from “Epaphras, who is one of you,” Paul tells them, “a servant of Christ Jesus.” And then there is a testimony by Paul to Epaphras’ prayer life. “He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf.” (4:12) How many of us wrestle in our prayers on behalf of others as we seek God’s will? Or do we sometimes tend to have the answers to our prayers all worked out ahead of time, and tucked away in our pocket to use as needed?

-- Adapted from a message by Harriet Finney entitled "Perfect Harmony" 

#5021

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

The Word of God tells us that we are the light that Christ has set in this dark world. We are given the noble task of shining bright so that God could be seen, heard, felt, and be praised and glorified even by those who do not know Him. Truly, it is an honor to be chosen by God to represent Him in this world. 

-- J.B. Cachila in an article entitled “3 Ways to Shine the Light of Christ to the People Around Us” at chrstianitytoday.com 

#5020

A MELODY OF BEAUTY AND PRAISE

"Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound."  (Psalm 92:3)

Dana's fingers lovingly flew across the strings. The guitar took on life beneath his fingertips.  As his eyes closed and his head titled back, the man and the guitar became one.  The music that came forth was not from the fingers or the instrument, but from the heart.  The music was the rhythm of creation.  The beauty and majesty of God’s love flowed through the air.  When the music played, God's presence was not to be denied.

Psalms is full of musical imagery.  Throughout time, music has been used to express the divine. God loves harmony and purity of tone.  Together, we can become a melody of beauty and praise.  We can become the rhythm of creation by affirming who God created us to be.  Let the music of the Lord fill your heart, and get carried away in its beauty and power.

Prayer:  If there is any discordance in my life, Lord, remove it from me.  I want my life to be harmonious and beautiful, reflecting the divine music, which You alone compose.  Play me, Lord, that I might be Your song. Amen.

-- from “Wisdom from the Psalms”

#5019

AGENTS OF TRANSFORMATION

"If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you."  (John 14:15-17 NIV)

I am confident that the Almighty God is fully able of saving, redeeming, and setting right everything that has gone wrong in this world [and doing it] by God’s own power. I’m sure that God’s Kingdom could come and God’s will could be done on earth solely by God’s own power. But the God revealed in the Bible is the God who chooses to bring that kingdom to reality through the gifts and energies of ordinary folks such as us…

The good news is that God has not left us to do God’s work alone. Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit who not only would be with us, but also would be in us, enabling us to become that which we can never become on our own. 

-- James A. Harnish in "A Disciple's Path: Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church"

#5018

TOGETHER

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another...”  (Hebrews 10:24-25b NIV)

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

--  Henry Ford 

#5017

CALLED TO SERVE

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”  (Galatians 5:13)

Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. 

-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a sermon entitled “The Drum Major Instinct” delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, February 4, 1968 

#5016

PLEASING WORSHIP

Paul writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy [because of all that Jesus has done for us through the sacrifice of Himself on the cross], to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship.”  (Romans 12:1, AMP).

It is a good thing for corporate worship to become part of the weekly routine of the Christian. However, the fact that worship becomes routine and regular tempts us to be distracted during worship and to go through the motions without putting much thought into it. Therefore, we must work as hard as we can to make sure that our hearts and minds are in our praise, that every aspect of worship is “a fragrant offering, pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:2) Let us focus entirely on the Lord as we “worship Him in spirit and truth.”  (John 4:24) 

-- Adapted from Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship of R. C. Sproul

#5015

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES - Part 3 of 3

When we are passing through those awful chapters and difficult seasons [of life], we sometimes cannot see God or imagine how things will work out. But when we look back over our lives, in hindsight, we see how God moved the plot forward, enfolding it into the story of God’s redemption in our lives.

Here is what I know -- God can and will transform our pain, redeem our suffering, and lift us out of the darkest pits. Out of our dark moments, God writes a story of triumph. With God as our co-author, the dark times are never the end of the story…

Your story is not complete; the remaining chapters are yet to be written. God’s plan for your life is not yet set in stone; you have a chance to shape the story. As you do, this is God’s will: that you “lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10) 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Why? - Making Sense of God’s Will”

#5014

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES - Part 2 of 3

The biblical story reminds us that the difficult chapters are never the final chapters of our story. Think about just a few of the many stories in the Bible that include adversity and pain but ultimately end in triumph.

Joseph, when he was in prison, could not see that one day soon he would become Pharaoh’s right-hand man (see Genesis 39-41). Naomi, while mourning the death of her husband and sons, could not see that the children of her daughter-in-law Ruth would start a family line that would one day lead to the greatest king Israel would ever know, and that Naomi’s mourning would be turned to laughter. The Israelites, while being led away from the promised land by their Babylonian conquerors could not see that within fifty years their children would return home singing. And the disciples, as they watched Jesus crucified, could not know that on the third day He would rise from the dead. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Why? - Making Sense of God’s Will”

#5013

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES - Part 1 of 3

Some chapters in our lives are marvelous mountaintops filled with joy. Recently I officiated at the wedding of a wonderful young couple. Seeing their happiness, listening to the bride’s father toast his daughter and brand-new-son-in-law, and watching the kids dance together was a moment of joy. Kids going off to college, babies being born, big promotions coming our way, these are joy-filled chapters of our lives. You may be in the midst of one of these chapters right now. You never want this chapter to end.

But any great story includes its share of conflict, challenges, struggles, and pain. Yours will include these as well, not because God brings pain into your life, but simply because pain is a part of every life.

Right now you might be walking through one of the difficult chapters in your life. Perhaps you must persevere through the death of someone you love or find hope when you have been out of work… Maybe your marriage has just ended, or you are facing a frightening illness. You don’t know what the next chapter will hold, but you trust that there will be a next chapter.

The biblical story reminds us that the difficult chapters are never the final chapters of our story. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Why? - Making Sense of God’s Will”

#5012

CALMING STORMS

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  (John 14:27)

If you’ve ever been caught in a powerful storm, you know that chaos reigns… Swirling winds and flying debris. Chaos. This is what storms produce. Not just the ones that form in the sky, but also the ones that form in our lives…

Can you relate? Are you caught in a storm of your own right now? Do you find that shifting emotional winds have you leaning first one way and then another? Have you been coldcocked by flying debris? Have things become so confusing that you don’t even know what’s right anymore? And are you so weary of it all that you almost don’t even care? If so, remember that our Lord’s words can bring order out of chaos….

Right now, before the storm batters you another day, I urge you to cast your lot with the psalmist, who said, “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.” (Psalm 130:5)

His words calm storms. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus”

#5011

IN TUNE WITH GOD

"Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped." -- Jack Hayford

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

A sheep rancher in the remote mountains of Idaho found that his violin was out of tune, and, try as he would, he was unable to make the instrument sound the way it should. A frequent listener to a radio station in California, he wrote the station concerning his problem, asking these good people at a certain hour and minute on a certain day to strike the right note for him. This they did: stopping everything else, silencing all other sounds for a moment, they struck that note. In his shepherd's hut in the distant mountains, the shepherd heard that sound, and from that single note he put his instrument into tune again.

We can so easily become confused or lose our way out there in the weekday world…, and end up totally out of tune with God. The only way we can get back in tune is through worship, where we listen for the signal-tone He strikes for our lives, for the pitch He gives by which our hearts may be put in tune [with God and with one another].  

-- Aneel Aranha

#5010

THE FEUD WITH GOD

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:22-23 NIV)

The Hatfield-McCoy feud began in 1863, when the Hatfields fought the McCoys on the Kentucky-West Virginia border. Historians disagree on the reasons for the feud; some say it began with a pig theft, others say it was because of a secret romance. Whatever the reason, it caused the death of more than one hundred men, women, and children. More than a century later, in May 1976, Jim McCoy and Willis Hatfield, the last two survivors of the original families, shook hands. The survivors came together to build a monument memorializing the victims of the feud. Jim McCoy died in 1984, at the age of ninety-nine. He bore no grudges, and the Hatfield Funeral Home handled the burial.

We know the reason for the feud between God and [human beings] -- sin. But God was willing to meet us at a monument on the hill of Calvary. He was willing to bury His grudge in a tomb sealed with a stone. What about you? Are you still feuding with God? Perhaps it’s time to accept the invitation to meet Jesus at the cross and bury your grudges along with your past. 

-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathways to God’s Treasure: Ephesians”

#5010

THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

The presence of Christ with the Christian has numerous benefits.  Christ is like the Good Shepherd, guiding us through life, and He is sovereign over everything.  This realization gives us a deep peace.  It is most significant that when Christ met His disciples after He rose from the dead, He often gave them greetings of peace (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 21,26).  This peace touches every area of life that could trouble us.  We are freed from a troubled conscience that could bother us with guilt feelings over the past.  We have courage to face the challenges of the present because Jesus, who is sovereign over all things, is with us.  We are not anxious about the future.  So the peace of Christ touches our attitude to the past, the present, and the future.  It is a peace completely different from the peace the world gives (John 14:27), for it is not dependent on circumstances, but on Christ, and He is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). 

-- Ajith Fernando in “The Christian's Attitude Toward World Religions”

#5008

ACCEPTING GOD’S GIFT

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23 NLT)

Have you heard of the man who was asked, “How are your children doing in school these days?” “Well, they are doing better,” he replied, “but I do still go to PTA meetings under an assumed name!” Many parents can relate to that and understand that, and obviously that dad was just kidding. But the truth is, God is the opposite of that. He openly claims us. He openly seeks us out. He openly reaches out to us. He openly, intentionally, graciously, relentlessly, sacrificially offers gifts to us: the gift of salvation, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of eternal life, the gift of Christ, the gift of His unconditional love.

But we must do our part. We have to accept the gift. What are we waiting for? Why do we hold back? Why are we hesitant to accept God’s gracious gift of Himself? Why are we so reluctant to say “yes” to God?

If you need to say “yes” to God, do it now! 

-- James W. Moore and Bob J. Moore in “Lord, Give Me Patience!... And Give It to Me Right Now!”

#5007

FALLING IN LOVE

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Applying human criteria for "falling in love," does it describe your love for God? That is, do we get that sense of awe and wonder? Do we relish the time spent together? Do we think about Him as we go about our day? Worshipping our Lord should stir emotions in our very soul. Yes, we should be "in love" with God Almighty. We should nourish that love and strive to build it stronger and stronger as we together face the trials of this earth. Our experiences in life should bring us closer and closer to our God. He is there, willing and waiting.

-- Pastor Gary Stone

#5006

BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  (Mark 12:30 NIV)

Sometimes as I think about the accomplishments of others, just for a moment I wonder, “What if…?” But then, almost immediately, I’m reminded that God has given me my own unique purpose in life.

Psalm 23:3 says, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” To find and follow those paths, to work out His purpose for our lives, will require reading and studying God’s Word and praying about how it applies to us. It will involve obedience and service. Not because we have to but because we love Jesus. That’s the path He has laid out before us.

With all your heart just follow Jesus. From personal experience, I can assure you, you’ll be blessed. Satisfied. Fulfilled. He will never mislead you. He will lead you right. Follow Him! 

-- Anne Graham Lotz in “Fixing My Eyes on Jesus: Daily Moments in His Word”

#5005