“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 NIV
The enemy is always scattering seeds of doubt, fear, anger, lust, jealousy (and other things) that aren’t of the Lord. The battle to keep a heart healthy is a daily struggle; and the Lord is the only one who can renew it. “Above all else, guard your heart…”
It’s been said that “blood is thicker than water”, but what is it that makes family…family?
The most obvious answer is birth, but then there’s adoption and marriage that also join people into the bonds of family. In each case, there’s a common link. For example, the parents of children are the connection to the grandparents, the spouse is the link to the in-laws, and in Romans chapter 8 the Bible says the Holy Spirit links the believer to Christ. Verse 16 says this:
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
His ministry is intimate and far-reaching. In the previous verses Paul says those who are in Christ are alive in the Spirit and are sons of God through Him as adopted children; welcomed into God’s presence as a child crying “Daddy!” Our Father knows, loves, and provides for His children; and in the common bond of family, we’re part of His household. We’re welcomed to relax in the “family room”, at the “family table” and at “family reunions” among other believers.
Are you living according to the Spirit’s guidance as He “bears witness” with your spirit? Do you have an appreciation for the rest of God’s family, or is there a tendency to act like an “only child”? You’re part of His family; take comfort in the strength of those bonds today…
“Not guilty!”
Upon that declaration, what would be on the mind of one exonerated of a criminal charge? Thanks? Joy? Things-to-do? Freedom? All-the-above?! For the believer, there’s also such a declaration:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” – Romans 8:1 NKJV
The Righteous Judge has looked at the evidence, heard the arguments of the Accuser, considered the presentation of the Advocate and declared the followers of Christ, “Not guilty!” And by the way, His decision is final. So, what should be on the mind of one walking out of the spiritual courtroom and into freedom? Paul says it should be a mind that’s “set” on the things of the Spirit (8:5). It’s a determined focus on what’s important to Him; in a spirit of joy, letting the Holy Spirit work in and through us to accomplish the will of the Father. He leads the way, and we humbly follow as ones declared, “Not-Guilty!” Breathe in the fresh air of liberty today and live!
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!” – Lam. 3:22-24 NKJV
Sunday mornings are such a great reminder of this truth. It’s the Lord’s Day, may His name be praised!
What’s so special about a sunrise?
For some it’s the beauty, for others it marks the end of a night shift, and for commuters, a companion in the early hours. Regardless of your appreciation, a sunrise represents the beginning of a new day. In a similar way, the Bible speaks of newness. Romans 6:4 describes the picture of us being buried with Christ in His death and raised to walk in “newness of life”. The life of a disciple is filled with newness, and each day is an opportunity to walk in it.
So what is walking in “newness”? It’s a deliberate posture of turning one’s back to sin, and seeing each day as one filled with…
Is your spiritual posture turned away from sin? What area of your life needs refreshment? Do you see today as one filled with newness? It can be…
Talk is cheap.
The words “I love you” mean very little if not backed up with action. For example, it may only take a few moments for a bride & groom to say “I do”, but it’ll take a lifetime of “I do” to show it. In the Bible, there’s also a concise statement of love. It’s found in 1 John 4:8, and teaches the principle of “God is love”. It’s a wonderful declaration, but He didn’t stop with just saying it. He backed it up with this:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 NKJV
So how does a disciple demonstrate love? It can be speaking the words, “I love you”, but more often than not, it requires action. It could possibly even require taking the first step. Consider God’s model of love:
What’s your way? How will you demonstrate love to others? How will you show God your love for Him? Will it be just words, or will it include actions too?
Have you ever been unsure of something?
Perhaps it was about a decision or your ability to perform under pressure. In Abraham’s life, there were some very unsure moments. However, the heavenly statement about his life reads this way:
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,” – Romans 4:20
How can someone who struggled at times end up being known as “unwavering”? Well, Paul goes on to say this in the next verse:
“And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” – Romans 4:21
He trusted God. As one commentator said of Abraham’s faith, it was “fully developed”. He knew his past struggles, and he knew the obvious challenge of having children as older adults; but his trust in God’s abilities was stronger than the doubt in his own. He kept moving forward in his faith and it continued to get more focused every day. He was convinced that God would be faithful, regardless of what made sense, and it was “accounted to him as righteousness”.
Where is your trust? Is it directly in the Lord’s faithfulness, or is it dependent on a combination of things “going right”. What do you need to trust Him with today?
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes-keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.” – Proverbs 3:19-23 NKJV
The Lord reveals His wisdom by the created order around us. For example, the miracle of life, the beauty of a sunset, the flight of a hummingbird, the majesty of mountain peaks, and the graceful lines of a flower all speak of His divine genius.
His work can be seen every day, for the eye that’s looking. “My son, let them not depart from your eyes…”
Do you ever compare yourself to others?
Maybe in the area of appearance, talent, position, or achievement? In the first century, the Jews routinely compared themselves to non-Jews. They pointed out their lineage from Abraham as the definitive mark of superiority, but unfortunately that comparison was fatally flawed. Instead of comparing themselves to God’s righteousness (leading to repentance), they looked at other people and saw no need for forgiveness. By looking at people, they were able to find and establish a lower, more reachable standard. However, in his discussion of Jew versus Gentile (law versus no-law), Paul wrote these words:
“For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” – Romans 3:23 NKJV
Truth is, we’ve all sinned according to the standard of God’s glory, but He offers grace and forgiveness to all who ask. So when it comes to our position in Christ, there’s nothing to boast about, just a lot to be thankful for. So as you go today, how will you model a grateful attitude?
Is God fair?
Before you answer, consider the next question, “What’s “fair”?” Is it an agreement between differing sides, a declaration from a judge, or an evenly dispersed resource? The difficulty with “fair” is that most people have opinions and they vary widely. What may be “fair” to one, is “injustice” to another. With God, the term “fair” falls way short of an accurate description. We tend to imagine Him as one who takes things into consideration, mulls them over, and then takes appropriate action (according to the preferences of the one doing the imagining). However, in the book Romans, Paul was led to write this:
“For there is no partiality with God.” – Romans 2:11 NKJV
God doesn’t have blind prejudice or bias; He always sees the truth. In regards to us, He’s always had full knowledge of our sin, yet He still chose to make a way to know Him. And since He’s totally righteous, He dealt with sin the only way possible without compromising His perfect holiness…payment. “Fair” would have been Him deciding who deserves to pay, but “grace” was Him deciding to make the payment Himself.
We live each day as recipients of grace. As we do, we must also be careful not to let the idea of fairness sabotage our attitude toward others. “Not fair” can quickly turn into “I deserve”, but that’s when we need to remember that God set aside “fair” for “grace”. And some days we need His help to do the same for others…perhaps even today.
“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them” – Psalm 11:4 NIV
All that we are is on display before the Lord. There are no real secrets when we come before Him, and truth is a friend to those who know Him. Are you ready to worship Him in truth? He is on His throne today and worthy of worship and praise!
There’s a popular store where you create your own stuffed animals. The process involves choosing a “shell”, filling it with fluff, accessorizing, then taking the new made-to-order friend home. It may seem like a modern concept, but many of the ancients actually developed their deities in much the same way. They imagined, designed, and worshipped gods that were made from their own thoughts; and on several occasions, the Apostle Paul mentioned it. For example:
“Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the image of corruptible man.” – Romans 1:22-23 NKJV
It’s easy to dismiss that verse as applicable only to pagan worship, but is it? The ancients made their gods according to personal preferences, but it can be a potential problem for modern worshippers too. Slowly and unintentionally, the “less-preferred” parts of the Bible can be minimized, while other “more-preferred” parts are highlighted. At that point, there’s danger of describing an image more like us than the One True Living God revealed in the Bible.
Is your view of God a proper balance of His character traits? Will you give Him the honor, thanks and worship He deserves today?
Titles may be “overrated”, but they’re often sought after nonetheless, even among the church.
When it came to identification, there were several influential titles Paul could have used to introduce himself; such as “Roman citizen” (a coveted status), “former student of Gamaliel” (who was widely respected), or “former Pharisee” (denoting his intellect). However, Paul (the empowered messenger of God) chose to refer to himself as “bondservant”. In modern church life, the term “bondservant of Christ” has become poetic and spiritual, but in the context of Paul’s day, it described a low-class servant who had limited privileges. In his letter to Rome, he starts this way:
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.” – Romans 1:1 NKJV
Today, temptations regarding status and titles abound, but we’re called to be something very specific; and that word is “Christian”. The term “Christian” originally wasn’t socially acceptable or broad in its application. It was a term of mockery, meaning “little-Christ”; and to be a “little-Christ” means “acting like Jesus”. Here’s the way Paul framed it:
“Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God…made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…” – Phil. 2:5-7 NKJV
What title will you be seeking today?
Christopher Columbus spent years gathering information. He concluded that the earth was round, therefore he set his sails to go west. On his journey, he discovered more than he could imagine and it was all because he was willing to act on truth. So, what does it mean for a believer to act on truth? It’s living “therefore”.
In Paul’s letter written to the Roman believers, the word translated “therefore” (meaning “these things being so”), is used 49 times to highlight pivotal points regarding sin, hopelessness, faith, sacrifice, and new life. For example, in chapter 3, he wrote:
“Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight…” (v.20)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith…” (v.28)
He also mentioned Abraham and David; men who acted on “therefore”. He often mentioned Christ, who came because of “therefore”. And he mentioned believers walking in new life because of “therefore”. It could be said that the life of a disciple is a real-life display of Paul’s “therefore” discussion. It’s setting your sails to head west because there’s a settled conviction of what’s true.
So, what truth will you act on today and what “therefore” will you live out?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Is your confidence built exclusively on the Lord, or a mixture of Him with other sources? For example, it’s very tempting to rely on past experience or other people to “firm up” the weak corners of our life when the hand of God isn’t clearly visible. But the scripture teaches a reliance; a proactive clearing away of worldly debris to verify that our feet are standing firmly on the foundation of Christ and His truth. “Trust in the Lord…”
What will you be known for?
After the flood, Noah’s descendants faced a series of questions. For example, “Where would they all live?” and “How would their society function?” Under Noah’s great-grandson Nimrod, they decided to build a great city with a large tower even though there was a previous mandate from God to spread out across the earth (Gen. 9:1). Take a look at their goals:
“…Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the earth.” – Genesis 11:4 NKJV
There’s nothing inherently wrong with building a city, or a tower of course, but the issue was motive and theirs was “to make a name for themselves”. It would be a monument so large that future generations would know they’d taken charge of their own destiny. The story of “old-great-granddad building a boat” wouldn’t come close to the ones told of them. Then suddenly, people everywhere started speaking funny. Life-long friends could no longer understand each other…and the project ended.
For us, there’s also a need to be known, but we’re often tempted to focus on the wrong audience. Being known by God is far more important than other people. His approval has eternal value, there’s does not. The tower generation got what they wanted. They did succeed in making a name for themselves, but it’s forever linked to rebellion and failure. Who’s your audience today, whose approval are you seeking, and what will you be known for?
Do you ever feel like the “bad” is winning all around you while the “good” struggles?
Perhaps some days you wonder if it’s even worth the effort to seek what’s right. The Bible tells us God is mindful and working in the lives of those who serve Him. For example, take a look at what David wrote:
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD and He delights in His way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” –Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV
David knew a lot about success and failure. He knew what it was to win big, and to struggle. Before his reign as king, there was a long period of time between the prophet anointing him, and the actual crowning moment. And along with waiting, he had to keep moving around to avoid King Saul’s attempts to kill him. There must have been many days where it seemed like the “bad” was winning, and God was busy elsewhere. However, he knew the Lord to be faithful and trusted Him even in the details.
Will you trust Him today even if it seems like the “bad” is winning? Will you faithfully walk the path He’s laid out for you, even if it feels lonely? The Lord is faithful and to know Him is the true definition of “winning”!
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You have never forsaken those who seek You.” – Psalm 9:9-10 NIV
The Lord is our shelter when the rain comes. No matter how strong the storm rages, His arms are like a stone fortress; and peace is there. He never cowers under threat, wrings His hands in worry or paces the floor in anticipation. He’s a stronghold and in within His care there is peace. Praise His name, for He is worthy of worship!
Who needs you today?
As Paul was building on his statement to be “living sacrifices”, he mentioned this:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
– Romans 12:15 NKJV
So who needs you today? You have the opportunity to be part of improving someone’s personal weather forecast from “rainy” to “partly sunny”. Through a simple note, text, or comment, your words can be powerful. A compliment can lift a spirit, encouragement can motivate a tired soul, a loving challenge can alter a future and asking forgiveness can soften a heart. Proverbs 12:25 reminds us that:
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.”
It’s not rocket science, but chances are your friend probably doesn’t need a scientist today as much as they need you.
What’s the value of a prayer?
Is it measured by results, eloquence, or word choice? Or is there inherent value in the child of God’s prayer itself? To get a complete picture, a remarkable passage of scripture in Revelation chapter 5 should be considered. In verses 1-10, John describes a dramatic and powerful scene where Jesus steps forward to take the “scroll with seven seals” from the Father. Once He does, the heavenly gathering begins to worship and the four living creatures, along with the twenty-four elders, bring forward golden bowls of incense. What’s striking is the nature of the contents, because the Bible describes the incense within the bowls as “the prayers of the saints”.
Ponder that for a moment. All the confusing struggles, the deep hurts, the teary petitions and the joyful praises are a fragrant offering. Every single moment spent in prayer is held in reserve to be poured out as a heavenly incense before the throne of God at just the right time. The prayer of a saint is NEVER in vain. It’s an invaluable privilege to go into God’s presence and Jesus made a way for us to do just that. He said our Heavenly Father desires to hear from His children (Luke 11:9-13) and welcomes the conversation. Will you take advantage of the privilege today?
“Rejoice always! Pray constantly! Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB
cchrisholland 