Where Will You Spend Eternity?

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight -- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:1-8

He was born in a rural southern community in 1890. He worked as a farmer and carpenter, living in a house that was without electricity or plumbing for many years. He suffered a stroke while plowing behind a mule. Partially paralyzed for several years, he died quietly in 1963. He is buried in a small cemetery in the far corner of a pasture.

Driving down a crowded interstate late at night, he nodded off. He would not awaken again. His care hit an embankment. At age seventeen, his dreams came to an abrupt end.

Death happens in many ways and at many ages, but it always happens. Is that the end for the farmer who never traveled more than a few miles from his home, for the teenage who never got his high school diploma? Is it the somber conclusion of a man?

Thankfully and wondrously, no. Physical death is not final. Consciousness does not cease in the casket. But we won’t have a second or third chance. We won’t come back as a cantaloupe, a cow, or a comedian. The Bible says we die once (Hebrews 9:27). We will then live forever in heaven with God, or in hell away from God (Luke 16:19-26). Do you know where you will spend eternity?

It Happened at the Cross

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” Colossians 2:13-15

Although crosses adorn our church steeples and their likeness is printed, woven, or worn in a variety of fashions, there often is only a vague knowledge of the true meaning of the cross. What really happened at the cross? What does it mean for someone today? Is it all that important?

The cross of Christ is where the three mortal enemies of mankind - sin, death, and the devil - were confronted and defeated by the Son of God. Jesus died for your sins, those actions which are contrary to God’s character and that separate you from God’s holy presence. Jesus took your sins on Himself at the cross. He bore God’s judgement of death on your behalf, as your substitute. God’s uncompromising wrath against sin was satisfied.

At the cross, Satan and his powers were crushed. They still exist, but their fate is sealed; and the Christian has Christ’s authority over the devil. You have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, from the dominion of sin to the dominion of God (Acts 26:18).

The next time you look at the cross, wear it around your neck, or see its imprint, remember that it was at Calvary where sin was judged, death slain, and the devil conquered.

The Cry of the Cross

“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

To some, a cross might seem an odd symbol for a religious faith. It does, after all, carry the same meaning as an electric chair or a hangman’s noose - death. Yet is it precisely this gruesome form of Roman torture that stands at the heart of Christianity. An emblem such as the sign of the fish is a legitimate New Testament expression, but the cross of Jesus Christ is the authentic badge of Christianity.

You see, God so loved you that Christ died for you. There was no way around it. Sin, that state and condition into which all men are born, had carved an abyss between God and man that nothing but the cross could traverse. The message of the cross is love, God’s immeasurable, amazing love for man. It was the holy love of God that sent His Son to earth in human form and placed Him on two pieces of timber. When you think upon the cross and its painful accouterments - nails, thorns, whips, and ridicule - think of the overwhelming love of God.

God loves you. He died for you. He was raised for you. He saves all who trust Him for forgiveness of sin. He reserves eternity in your name. That is the love of God and the consummate cry of the cross.

Going Deeper with the Lord

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

The annual Day of Atonement was the only fast God required Israel to keep. However, the Pharisees made a habit of fasting every Monday and Tuesday to gain the attention of less pious Jews. Jesus rebuked them for their pride. While they may have won the praise of men, they lost the blessings of God.

However, if done from a sincere heart, fasting can play an important role in your spiritual growth. It sharpens the mind and provides a time for spiritual cleansing, confession of sin, and renewed sensitivity to God.

Nehemiah fasted and prayed after receiving news of the destruction of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:4). Fasting was the way he expressed his sorrow and distress to God. He literally rolled his burden over onto the Lord while seeking God’s intervention. God answered his prayer through King Artaxerxes, who allowed him to go and rebuild the city’s walls.

Fasting is an act of humility and devotion to God. Therefore, it should never be done with hopes of impressing those around us. When we seek the Lord out of a sincere heart, He always responds by answering our prayers and renewing our hope. The result is a deeper, more satisfying relationship with Him.

The Battle is the Lord’s

“Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).’ Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 20:1-4

“Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; and he said, ‘Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem” Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.’ Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-18

When Jehoshaphat heard the nations of Ammon and Moab were planning to attack Judah, he became afraid. Yet the Bible records something far more important about this king and his relationship to God. It says in his fear he “turned his attention to seek the Lord” (2 Chron. 20:3).

How we respond to times of adversity and trials often reveals the depth of our relationship with God. The king purposefully set his focus on the Lord in prayer and vowed to seek His deliverance above any human effort.

There’s something about being hemmed in with God during fiery circumstances that brings out the honesty of our hearts. Before Jehoshaphat could face the people of Judah, he had to first be alone with God in prayer. And there in the quietness of God’s presence and peace: “Do not fear or be dismayed...the battle is not yours but [Mine].”

No matter what you are facing, there is always victory through prayer because it actively connects your circumstances with the moving power and presence of God.

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith...” 2 Timothy 4:6-7

William Borden, the heir of the Borden Dairy fortune, graduated from Yale University. With the prospects of a long and wealthy career, Borden decided to became a missionary. He immediately went to Egypt to learn Arabic because of his intent to work with Muslims in China. While in Egypt, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, a 25-year-old William Borden was dead. After his death, the following words were found penned in his Bible: “No reserves,” “No retreats,” and “No regrets.”

Dear Friend, now will you finish the race of faith? Make sure you complete your course with style! Give God your whole life and hold nothing back. Be faithful to Him. This is the only way to stand before the Lord with no regrets!

“Hurts” Affect Attitude

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, ‘Eat and drink!’ But his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23:7

A dog named Spot had been frequently beaten by its master. One day Spot was wandering down the street when a boy picked up a stick to play fetch with him. When the dog saw him pick up the stick, it took of running with its tail between its legs. See Spot run.

Although the boy just wanted to play, the dog had been conditioned to associate the stick with pain. The beatings as a puppy programed Spot to assume that all people were out to hurt him.

After we’ve received a few “beatings” from others, we’ll start to assume they have an agenda to hurt us, so we react by running away. Sore spots makes us run. Although others may not intend to harm, we misjudge their motives because we view them through wounded glasses.

Achieving Contentment

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

Lehman Strauss wrote:
In the early days of my Christian experience, I could not see how some Christians I knew could be content with so little of this world’s goods. I sincerely trust that I am learning the secret. From what I see about me, I do not hesitate to say that it is a secret many Christians have yet to learn. Paul needed to learn it. He said, “I have learned....” The lessen of contentment was one he learned by degrees, in varying circumstances. As a young unbelieving Jew, he had no want insofar as this world’s possessions are concerned. He did not always know the divine provision of satisfaction. But after he was saved he came to learn it, not in the academic classroom but as the result of a lengthy experience of trials and discipline.

“I have learned” is the language of a good student. Have you learned to be satisfied with your place and position and possessions in this life?

There’s More!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

On Jan. 21, 2002, Norma Delores Egstrom died. Had she kept that name, few would have been aware of her passing. Norma grew up in a dysfunction home in North Dakota. Such was the state of unrest in her family that she ran away at the age of fourteen.

Living from hand to mouth, it wasn’t long before many Big Band enthusiasts noticed what came out of her mouth: her superb vocal talent. Soon, the “king of swing,” Benny Goodman, signed her up as his girl singer. Norma changed her name to Peggy Lee, and she was quickly on her way to jazz stardom.

Yet for all her fame, her personal life pretty much followed along the lines of her Grammy-award hit, “Is That All There Is?” Her sad, expressionless delivery colored the song with even more emptiness than the lyrics conveyed.

All of us feel blue at times. Even the wisest man to ever live, Solomon despaired: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Eccl. 1:2

But hold on; there is more - “...but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9

God’s abundance, right now, is yours for the asking!

Don’t Miss Out

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9

I have always said, “Don’t put God in a box,” and then the other day this passed by my desk. Enjoy -

“I used to have a fairly narrow concept of the acceptable ways for God to speak to me: through the Bible, prayer time, church teaching, solid spiritual hymns or songs...you know where I’m going here. I knew that God would never use something secular or even (gasp!) worldly to speak to me.

But one day, during a particularly difficult time in my life, I was driving around the ranch listening to the hits station on the radio. Recently the Lord had been teaching me about His deep and personal love for me, and how it changes everything around me. Then all of the sudden, this song came on the radio talking about that very thing!

Okay, maybe the song wasn’t really talking about God’s love...maybe it was just talking about other people, who probably didn’t know the Lord. But the truth God spoke to me about Himself as I listened to that song could not have been more solid if it had come straight from a Bible class or pulpit. Over the next two months this same scenario replayed itself five or six times.

I am not suggesting that the real way to hear God is to go turn on the secular radio and listen until something hits you. What I am saying is that when I made up my mind how God was allowed to work in my life, I put Him (and myself as well) in a box. I made rules for how and when God could speak to me, and through what means. And, in all probability, I completely missed out on a lot of things that God wanted to tell me over the years.

It has become a regular thing for the Lord to speak to me about something that I see in a movie or hear on the radio. Some would say, ‘That just cheapens God, brings Him down to your level.’ I completely disagree. I think it is incredible that God will use something as silly as a movie on the big screen to teach me about Himself. How great is that? God lives and operates in ways we can’t begin to imagine. The sooner we realize and accept this, the more awesome our everyday lives will become.”
- Nathan Miller

Come Into the Light

“...for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says,
'Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.'
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise...” Ephesians 5:8-15

A story is told about a hardworking man who finally had time to go to a night baseball game with his family. They were doing the usual things: eating hotdogs and peanuts, drinking Cokes, and complaining about the prices.

His wife, a registered nurse and mother of his three children, said something and he turned in such a way that the park lights were directly in his eyes. She gasped and took his face in her hands to have a closer look. Her suspicion was correct: his eyes were jaundiced, a sign of several serious diseases. Within a few weeks her childhood sweetheart and the father of her three children was dead.

Man must come into the light of God to see the ravaging affects of his sins. He is little more than the walking dead without the cleansing power of the blood of the Lamb. The Light reveals the truth for all to see. Many will come into the light too late (1 Cor. 4:5).

Don’t be afraid of the truth - ask God to reveal to your heart anything you need to see, change, start, or quit today. Don’t let Satan deceive you - walk in the light and rejoice in the freedom you have in Christ!

We are Never Alone

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,"
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day
Darkness and light are alike to You.” Psalm 139:1-12

“Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth’s rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest...blindfolded...and leaves him...alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night, and not take off the blindfold until the sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.

The boy was terrified...could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth...and shook his stump. But he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him...at watch the entire night. We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.” - Author Unknown

We are His Church

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

Do you know anyone who says they do not have to go to church to be a Christian? The statement is usually an excuse to get a few extra hours’ sleep on Sunday, or a reaction to some unfortunate incident. No matter the motive, the statement is true. Salvation is by God’s grace, not by church attendance. But the Bible says, “...not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

The church, with all of its difficulties, is still the creation of Jesus, Himself. Remember His statement to Peter: “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18

The resurrection was necessary in order for Jesus to accomplish His present work. It takes a living Savior to impart life. We have such a Savior and hope. The church is Jesus Christ’s. He suffered, died, and rose to give life to those who believe in Him. And these compose His church. Do you love Him? Then today, pray for the needs you see in your church.

You Can Trust Him!

“Now the LORD said to Abram,
‘Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1-3

How trustworthy is God? Is there a statute of limitations on His promises? Consider the promise He made to David years ago. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16

God’s messenger to Mary 2,000 years ago made clear the child she carried was the Promised One Who would sit upon the throne of David forever. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:31-33

God’s promises required the resurrection of Jesus from the dead in order that His reign might be eternal. Whether you are a physical descendant of Abraham or not, God’s fulfillment of His promise is reason for rejoicing. Through the seed of Abraham we have all be blessed. We still worship the God of Abraham, Who does not change. He is as faithful to fulfill His promises to you as to Abraham.

What is your need today? What specific promise has He given you in His Word? Trust Him for today. You know His Word is true. His resurrection power unequaled. And, it is yours.

The Impact of the Resurrection

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’ And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!’ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:37-42

Why did Jesus die? Obedience to the will of the Father? It was prophesied? The one basic reason was because of sin. Why was He resurrected? Here Scripture gives many reasons and each will make your heart rejoice at God’s great plan, provision, and power. The prophets spoke of the eternality of the Messiah.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2

Jesus claimed eternal existence, the equivalence of deity, when He told the people, “...Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58

I Am was the very name by which God had identified Himself to Moses and the Israelites. Either Jesus was eternal - He was God, or He was a mere man with severe problems to have made such lofty claims. The author of Acts makes clear the answer - “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” Acts 2:24

Death had no hold on Him Who was eternally God. Read more of Peter’s message in Acts 2:22-42. Note the tremendous impact this truth had on its hearers. Commit yourself anew to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the ministry of prayer.

Pray for Your Children

“My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.
Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27

Do you wonder why apparently godly parents sometimes have rebellious children? And what about Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Since you cannot believe for your child, you must trust the Spirit of God to move in his or her heart. It can be uncomfortable to realize that each child has a will and can choose for or against God. What can you do?

1. Trust the Word of God. Take it as your guide for family living.

2. Be who God wants you to be. Growing. If it is the Spirit of God Who will bring your child to faith in God, see to it that you walk in the power of His Spirit and you will be in harmony with what God is doing in the life of each member of your family.

3. Pray with expectation. Thank God that He is at work in your child’s life.

Pray for your children today. Live your faith and expect God to do a work of grace in the lives of your family members. And keep practicing Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

We Need Revival

“Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him
Behold, His reward is with Him
And His recompense before Him.
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:10-11

How big is your God? How important is the answer to that question? It is of paramount importance for your view of God will have everything to do with who you are and how you live.

Isaiah knew and served a great God, the living God of the Hebrew Scriptures. His perspective was closer to God’s than that of a super patriot. What does that mean? God did not belong to Israel as though He were something of a secret weapon. Israel belonged to Him as special possession. This relationship did not give them special privileges in the area of sin. To the contrary, it made their punishment all the more sure. Isaiah lost all popularity when he saw the unimaginable Assyrian atrocities committed against Israel as the work of God was sovereign over all His creation.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,”
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.” Isaiah 40:21-23

We in this country tend to think of ourselves as Christian and indeed we have enjoyed God’s blessings - until now. Praise God today for His sovereignty. Ask Him to send revival to this country before His judgement must come.

Secure in His Sovereignty

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
and His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

Surely you can think back (perhaps without difficulty) to a time when you set your will against God’s, and chose your way instead of His. Now reconciled to His design for your life, you would be quick to say that going up against a Sovereign God is a “no win” situation.

Someone once said it this way: “Inside the will of God there is no failure; outside the will of God there is not success.” It is comforting to realize that the very perfection of God (His sovereignty) guarantees defeat if you oppose Him. God has always been in control. His perspective is different from ours. His plans are not frustrated by ours and as we were going our own way, He was still accomplishing His purposes.

From time to time you may not feel forgiven but by His very character He must keep His word. He does forgive. You did not spoil God’s plans when you chose your own wilful way. Be comforted knowing that His ultimate purpose will be established.

Remember Habakkuk 2:14 -“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

A Pattern for Prayer

“I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth...
...I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:1, 4

By now you are likely feeling at home with the introduction to Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (1:15-16). Paul practiced a pattern in prayer. His heart and mind were full of thoughts of God’s many blessings. The result was a spirit of thanksgiving and the practice of praise. The more He praised God, the more He sought God’s further interventions in His life and the lives of others.

Paul comes to God with a great sense of expectancy because his heart is full of the knowledge of all that God has already done. The psalmist also practiced this spiraling prayer life. The more God did, the greater was his praise, thanksgiving, petition, expectation - and praise.

Is God pleased with this arrangement? Yes. For how much does our heavenly Father delight in giving good gifts to those who ask. Paul was not an individual who was turned inward. He thanked God for the mercies he received personally. Then, keenly aware of his brothers and sisters in Christ, he felt a duty to give thanks on their behalf also.

Will you work Paul’s spiraling pattern of prayer into your experience? Praise. Thanksgiving. Petition. Expectation. Praise. Again. And again.

Praise and Glory

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.” Psalm 33:1

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers...” Ephesians 1:15-16

Yesterday, we started looking at Paul’s prayer for the believers at Ephesus. His preliminary comments reviewed God’s gracious plan of salvation. What better way is there to move your heart to praise and thanksgiving than to review His many benefits of love toward you. This is what Paul did. Praise and glory are the ultimate purposes for which God graciously saved you.

Do this:
1. List in your journal all the blessings you can think of which are yours in Christ.
2. You believe what God has said in His Word, but have you personalized these blessings? Made them yours? Ask the Spirit of God to bring these truths alive in your life as you meditate upon them.
3. Realize now that God’s salvation is not an end in itself but was brought about for the praise of His glory.

As you fill your heart and mind with the thoughts of God’s great benefits toward you, and as you personalize these truths, you will be compelled to do as Paul did (see Eph. 1:15-16). He was moved to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose in that he broke into praise and thanksgiving not only for what God had done for him, but for others also.

Love...a Barometer of Faith

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11

Probably you know someone who at one time said they had trusted Jesus as their Savior. As time passed however, you became increasingly concerned that perhaps they did not truly know Him. What was lacking?

Paul was present in Ephesus when the Christians there first believed and when the church began in that city. Some time later he writes to them from a Roman prison: “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers...” Ephesians 1:15-16

Faith and love are the hallmarks of one who genuinely believes in Jesus Christ. It is by faith that our hearts are cleansed (Acts 15:9), accounting for our new set of desires and values Christians take on at their rebirth. Faith results in good works and makes overcomers of those who believe in Christ.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” 1 John 5:4

Then there is the relationship between faith and love. You cannot have one without the other. Galatians 5:6 says faith works through love. 1 John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.”

Your love for other believers is a barometer of your faith in Christ. Count on God to manifest that love in you.

Antidote to Boredom

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

“I’m so bored.”
“Don’t you have anything to do?”
“Sure, lots. But I just don’t feel like doing it.”
Maybe this does not sound like you. Maybe you are never bored. But many people find boredom an unwelcome companion who seems to follow them around. The Bible has an antidote to boredom. But first, ask yourself this question: Are you where God wants you?

Now the antidote: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

It must be quite impossible to be where God wants you, doing your best as unto the Lord, giving thanks from a heart full of gratitude, and still be bored. Are you beginning to realize that reaching God’s potential for you is more a matter of who you are becoming than what you are doing?

Sandwiched in the middle of Paul’s potential passage you find -
“...and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him...” Colossians 3:10

As a believer, God has given you the capacity to grow, to take on the very likeness of our precious Savior. What potential. What responsibility.

Reaching Your Potential

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Your mind will give you pretty much what you feed it. Paul says you need to fill your mind with spiritual realities from the Word of God if you want to reach the potential which God has given you. Remembering to set your mind on things above is a matter of the will. You decide that. But what will guarantee success, you ask?

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

“May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?....Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:2, 4

How will you know that you are reaching your potential? When your life is characterized less and less by those things which bring God’s displeasure and more and more by what characterizes the new you in Christ: compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, caring, forgiving, loving, full of peace. Interesting, isn’t it, that these are byproducts of knowing Christ in His fulness. Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness.

Set your mind on things above. Become who God intends you to be. This meditation will prove hazardous to your old self.

He is Risen!

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’ Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” Mark 16:1-7

And we should do the same. Go tell, and enjoy this Easter Day!

Let the Word...

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

As we come back today and you read our verse, what did you think about since yesterday? Paul said to “Set your mind on the things above...” To gain God’s perspective by setting your mind on spiritual realities (things above), you may have decided to let some current activities go. As you think of our text today, let me encourage you to continue to ask God to help you as you sift through those things that fill your mind each day. Remember that reaching God’s greatest potential for you takes an act of your will. It also will be the most rewarding endeavor you will undertake.

Today, decide to become a greater participant in the life Jesus has given you. Here and now. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

If you made a list yesterday, or if you didn’t, review what you identified. Revise it as needed. Continue to seek the leadership of the Holy Spirit as you work in this vital development of God’s potential for you.

Set Your Mind...

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7

Colossians 2:6-7 sets the stage for Paul’s appeal to the believers at Colosse, to realize the potential of their new life in Christ - an appeal which would not be lost on many Christians today. Read these verses in your Bible - now.

Ask yourself this question: where am I in reaching God’s potential for me? Possibly you are one of those who feels just a little defeated from time to time. Paul’s urgent message is for you: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

You know your citizenship is in heaven. That was settled the moment you believed. Now Paul says - continue. Experience your potential by continuing to seek the things above. This seeking involves an act of the will. Decide to grow in your Christian experience. Again Paul says: Set your mind on the things above. You are to set both will and mind on things above. This does not mean you are to continually think of heaven (the place), rather on spiritual reality. In so doing, you will gain God’s perspective and your motivations will please Him.

Ask God to help you during the next three days to identify and evaluate those things you fill your mind with. Are they helpful in gaining God’s perspective? In reaching the potential He has given you?