2021-11-02
Acts 26:16 NLT
A ‘servant’ focuses on doing their master’s will. And a ‘witness’ testifies to what they have seen and personally experienced. And we’re called to be both. Let’s take a look at each one individually.
1) We’re God’s servants. That means we need to be tuned in to what He wants us to do, when He wants us to do it, and the way He wants it done. Doing His will should be the most important item on our to-do lists for each day.
2) We’re God’s witnesses. The value of a witness depends on how close they were to an event when it happened, and what they observed. John wrote, ‘We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. …Now we testify’ (1 John 1:1-2 NLT).
When we spend time with Jesus each day, we become closer to Him and allow His influence to fill our lives – and then other people can be positively influenced by our lives. The Bible says, ‘the wise person teaches others how to live’ (Proverbs 11:30 NCV).
When it comes to sharing our faith with others, we must do it with wisdom, tact, and grace. Chances are, many people we meet have had at least one bad experience with Christians and church, so we need God’s wisdom in being sensitive to their needs. One way we can do this is by letting them know Jesus can heal broken hearts, and that the church as He intended is a hospital for souls, where people can come for care, love and support. Our assignment as His servants is to draw people to Jesus, and as His witnesses, we can fulfil this assignment by sharing our own testimonies of what God has done for us.
1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2021-11-01
Philippians 4:7 CEV
Someone once said, ‘I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!’ Is that how you’re feeling today? When it feels like there’s too much to do or the things we’re facing are too big to handle, let’s try to focus on these words of peace and let our minds rest in them: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13 NIV).
We won’t find true and lasting peace from anything external. The peace that stays with us through troubles and challenges only comes when we let God fill us with His Holy Spirit. He can satisfy our spiritual hunger and give us a sense of calm and serenity even when we’re sounded by stresses and strains.
If you feel overwhelmed at the moment, and in need of God’s peace, here’s a prayer of encouragement: ‘Father, You said there’s no weapon that’ll succeed when used against me (see Isaiah 54:17). I can’t stop the enemy’s weapons being use, but I know You’ll stop them winning against me. You said that if I ask for anything in line with Your will, You’ll grant my request (see 1 John 5:14-15). You said that when I walk in obedience, I’ll be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (see Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to give all my worries and troubles to You and You’ll take care of me (see 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are. Today I’m trusting in Your promises. You said it, so I believe it’s true. Amen.’
1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2021-10-31
1 Samuel 17:46 NLT
Goliath’s ancestors were Israel’s long-standing enemies. And when Joshua entered the Promised Land, he annihilated them all, except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. It’s important to remember that, because it shows that if we don’t completely destroy the issues we’re facing, they’ll rise to fight again. David put ‘five…stones from a stream…into his shepherd’s bag’ (v.40 NLT) because he didn’t know how many he’d need to finish the job. And there are certain ‘stones’ we need to take with us to conquer the giants in our lives.
1) Be relentless. It might take more than a day, a month, or even a year to see results. But with God’s help we’ll win if we persevere.
2) Get God involved. David declared, ‘There is a God in Israel’ (v.46 NLT). He made sure to bring God right into the centre of the situation, and God came through for Him.
3) Keep praying and believing God for victory. ‘Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare’ (Ephesians 6:18 MSG). Replaying and going over our hurts again and again won’t heal them, and ignoring our problems won’t solve them. But prayer will.
4) Remember earlier victories. David announced, ‘GOD, who delivered me from the…lion and…bear, will deliver me from this Philistine’ (1 Samuel 17:37 MSG). When we’re afraid of the future, we should try to call to mind God’s past faithfulness to us: ‘Remember the wonders he…performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given’ (1 Chronicles 16:12 NLT). With God’s help, we can conquer any giants that life throws at us.
Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34
2021-10-30
Luke 10:19 NLT
When David went out to fight Goliath he said, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD…and he will give you to us!’ (1 Samuel 17:45, 47 NLT). Nobody in King Saul’s army seemed to have included God in the equation, but David didn’t talk about anything else. He saw what they didn’t see, and he refused to be intimidated by what they did see. He believed that the God he served was bigger than the giant he faced.
We need to see God as bigger than our problems, too. When we’re in a situation where there doesn’t seem to be any way out, instead of dwelling on our own weaknesses and wishing things were different, we should stand on God’s Word and start talking about His power.
We won’t win if we fight only in our own strength, so we shouldn’t even try it. David said, ‘This is the LORD’s battle’ (v.47 NLT). And God has never lost a battle. That means we can confront our giants in the name and strength of God and declare: ‘Giant of fear, you aren’t coming near me. Giant of worry, you won’t conquer me. Giant of insecurity, of addiction, of doubt, God’s taking you down.’
The Bible says, ‘When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him’ (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV). There are three things Satan can’t withstand: God’s Word, Christ’s blood, and the name of Jesus. When we use those things, we’ll bring him down every time – just like David toppled Goliath.
1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
2021-10-29
Psalm 116:12 NCV
In the classic book Little Women, Mrs March tells this story to her daughters: ‘Once upon a time there were four girls who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, yet they were not contented. These girls made many excellent resolutions; but they were constantly saying, “If we only had this,” or “If we could only do that.” So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and she said, “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.” They decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses; another found she was a great deal happier with her youth, health and good spirits than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn’t enjoy her comforts; a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it. So they agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings they already possessed.’
God is a loving Father, but that doesn’t mean He’ll give us everything we want (or everything we think we need). He doesn’t indulge our every whim, cultivate a sense of entitlement within us, or teach us that the world owes us anything. Being His child doesn’t mean we won’t need to work for things, or that we’ll avoid discipline and sacrifice. Instead, He lets us experience the satisfaction of a job well done, and encourages us to find joy in what we do and appreciate every blessing that comes our way. ‘What can I give the LORD for all the good things he has given to me?’ The answer is: gratitude.
1 John 1:1-3:10; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:19-26; Prov 24:28
2021-10-28
Isaiah 30:21 CEV
Someone once said, ‘When Columbus set out, he didn’t know where he was going. When he arrived, he didn’t know where he was. And when he returned home, he didn’t know where he’d been.’ We all need help to know what direction to go; whether or not to apply for a certain job, commit to a relationship, make a large purchase, and so on. The good news is that God will direct us, and when we make a wrong turn, He’ll redirect us.
Here are three ways in which He does it: 1) Through wise counsel. Others have been in a similar situation we find ourselves in; ‘Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7 NRSV). When we have a problem or an important decision to make, we should talk to others who have experience in that area and ask for help. It’s also helpful to find someone we trust to mentor us regularly. Solomon said, ‘The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15 NIV).
2) Through prayer and listening for His voice. Jesus said, ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me’ (John 10:27 NIV). And Isaiah wrote, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”‘ That’s the kind of assurance we need. So, ‘Instead of worrying, pray’ (Philippians 4:6 MSG).
3) Through Scripture. Paul said, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom’ (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). One author wrote: ‘The Bible is to God what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you.’ But that means we must read it, personalise it, and act on it.
Ezra 9-10; John 7:1-13; Ps 104:1-18; Prov 24:26-27
