2021-05-12
2 Timothy 1:6 CEV
Unless we really make an effort to maintain our enthusiasm, we can feel like life is wearing us down. A task or a job that used to feel challenging can become monotonous; a hobby that used to be exciting and energising can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that used to be inspiring can begin to feel boring.
The word enthusiasm comes from a Greek word which means ‘possessed by, or inspired by God’. But how do we stay inspired? Just as the Israelites gathered fresh manna every morning, we need a daily infusion of God’s Word and God’s Spirit. Paul challenged the Christians in Rome: ‘Serve the Lord enthusiastically’ (Romans 12:11 NLT). And the believers in Galatia: ‘If someone is eager to do good things…that’s all right’ (Galatians 4:18 NLT).
Instead of complaining about all the things we don’t like, we need to realise that the presence and power of God actually lives within us! We need to refocus on the joyful fact that we’re children of God, who loves us unconditionally.
Author Sheldon Vanauken says: ‘The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are sombre…joyless…self-righteous…smug… narrow and repressive.’
Life with God isn’t meant to be a monotonous journey, but an energetic and exhilarating race to the finish line, which makes us exclaim, ‘Wow! What a ride!’ David tells us God lifted him out of a pit of despair, put his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song (see Psalm 40:1-3). When we feel we need fresh enthusiasm, let’s ask God to do the same for us!
Jonah 1-4; Mark 8:27-38; Ps 62; Prov 11:15
2021-05-11
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
When we think about our nation and its problems, we might begin to feel disheartened. We can find ourselves worrying about what the future holds for each of us personally, but on a wider scale, we might also worry about the future of society, or even the wider world.
We might think that we don’t have the power to make any real change. But God told Abraham if there were as few as ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorra, He would spare the cities from judgment. If only ten people could have made a difference to those cities, imagine what the prayers of the whole church could do for our nation today. God said: ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’
Let’s take a closer look at this verse: a) ‘If my people, who are called by my name.’ As God’s redeemed people, we need to take responsibility to pray for our nation. b) ‘Will humble themselves…pray and seek my face.’ God, who needs nobody’s authorisation or approval to act, promises to move when His people turn to Him and seek His face in prayer. c) ‘And turn from their wicked ways.’ Instead of complaining about what’s wrong with society, God commands His people to examine their own hearts to see what’s wrong and make it right. And when they do, He promises to: d) ‘Hear from heaven…forgive their sin and…heal their land.’
The truth is, it’s up to us. We can help bring change to our nation if we’ll pray and seek God with all our hearts.
Num 34-36; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 57; Prov 11:14
2021-05-10
Hebrews 2:11 NIV
Every family has secrets. It might be something like a family member who was in prison, an unwanted pregnancy, or a mistake in the past that the family still feels ashamed of. It might be something that happened a long time ago, or something that’s taking place now. The truth is that every family has a flaw somewhere in its background, but it may be surprising to learn that Jesus didn’t come from a perfect family either.
The Bible records the details of Jesus’ ancestry, and it includes some flawed people. There’s Tamar, who tricked her father-in-law in order to seduce him, and Jacob, who took advantage of his brother and his father-in-law in order to get rich. And then there’s King David – one day he’s writing psalms, and the next day he’s seducing the wife of one of his army officers.
The list goes on, and Scripture records it to let us know two important truths: 1) We are not alone. If our family tree has damaged fruit, Jesus wants us to know He’s been there. And since He wasn’t reluctant to call His ancestors family, we can be certain that He’s not ashamed of us either.
2) Jesus doesn’t look at our past in order to decide our future. The Bible says: ‘If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with him’ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NCV).
So let’s not be afraid to tell others that what Jesus did for us, He’ll do for them when they put their trust in Him.
Num 32:25-33:56; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 44:17-26; Prov 11:12-13
2021-05-09
Matthew 26:73 NKJV
Our words have the power to build people up or tear them down, draw them to Christ or drive them away. The things we say reveal what’s in our hearts. They can set us apart from the world and demonstrate our devotion to God, or they can show that we’re not keeping Him as our focus. James wrote: ‘People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their “religion” is worth nothing’ (James 1:26 NCV).
In everything we do, we should be trying to reflect Christ. When we use bad language, say hurtful things, or are careless about what we say, we’re not following Jesus’ example or encouraging others to want Him in their lives.
Here are some Scriptures about our words that we need to keep in mind and think about often: 1) ‘Let your speech always be with grace…that you may know how you ought to answer each one’ (Colossians 4:6 NKJV). 2) ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…that it may benefit those who listen’ (Ephesians 4:29 NIV). 3) ‘Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, making people happy and healthy’ (Proverbs 16:24 NCV).
The words we say and the way we say them are so important if we want to show God’s love to those who might not know Him yet. Today, here’s a prayer to help us speak good, graceful words: ‘Father, help me to only speak words that bring credit to the name of Jesus and draw others to Him. I pray that my words will always be a true reflection of my heart for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.’
Deut 9:13-29; Luke 4:1-13
2021-05-08
Matthew 25:23 NIV
We’ll all face criticism at some point. Sometimes we might have to deal with harsh, unfair criticism, but often it’ll be constructive criticism designed to help us improve. But whatever type it is, it’s still difficult to hear. But we need to be prepared for it and to take it on board if it’s justified.
Our attitude to criticism is what separates people who say they want success from those who are prepared to pay the price for it. For example, if we want a higher paid job, we need to think about whether we’re ready yet to handle the extra responsibility and pressure that usually comes with a higher salary. Maybe we want to have a leadership role in our church, but we need to consider if we’re prepared to handle the scrutiny and criticism that leaders often have to face.
Sometimes we’re in love with the idea of success, but we haven’t counted the actual cost of succeeding. Often we want something because it looks good in someone else’s life. But God in His wisdom knows that right now it would hurt us because we’re not mature enough to handle it.
God tests us with what we have now, in order to develop our consistency and strength. He observes how we handle the pressures that accompany the blessings He’s already given us. He wants to bring us to the place where we’re resistant to difficulties; where we’ve learned to appreciate the Giver more than His gifts. When we reach that point, we’ll hear Him say, ‘You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (v. 23 NIV). Those words will make everything we’ve been through worthwhile.
Num 30:1-32:24; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 44:9-16; Prov 11:10-11
2021-05-07
1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
We can complicate prayer, but really, it’s simply communicating with God. And communication can be spoken or silent. We can even communicate in song. Many of the psalms are just prayers set to music. Prayer is connecting with God. Whether it’s confessing a sin, praising His name, pursuing His will, interceding for a friend, or sharing our own needs and worries, our prayers must be God-centred, never self-centred.
Sincere prayer comes from a heart that longs for God to reveal what He desires. That means we need to allow enough time for listening and waiting for God to speak to us. Prayer should be our first priority. Paul instructs Timothy: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made’ (v. 1 NIV). Note the words, ‘First of all’. Before we slide out of bed, before we take a shower, before we do anything else, we should talk to God.
Every afternoon at three o’clock, Peter and John went to the temple to pray. In the middle of the day, they interrupted their schedule to gather for one purpose: prayer. So when our days are rolling along at their own pace and in their own direction, let’s interrupt them with prayer. If our days are building towards a crisis, we should deliberately stop to pray. When we feel anxious or overwhelmed, step away for a few moments of solitude to tell God and ask for His guidance. When we feel anger, impatience, or negativity creeping up, we need to pause for an attitude adjustment prompted by prayer. Don’t wait – pray immediately.
Let’s make prayer our first priority in all things and at all times. Through prayer, let’s involve God in everything that happens in our day.
Num 27-29; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 44:1-8; Prov 11:9
