An Honest Heart
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Posted:Jun 11, 2014 3:14 am
Last Updated:Jun 17, 2014 3:37 am 1902 Views
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Read: Psalm 15
I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.
1 Chronicles 29:17
Bible in a Year:
Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42
I came across an epitaph on an old gravestone in a cemetery the other day. It read,
“J. Holgate: An honest man.”
I know nothing of Holgate’s life, but because his marker is unusually ornate, he must have struck it rich. But whatever he accomplished in his lifetime, he’s remembered for just one thing: He was “an honest man.”
Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, spent a lifetime in search of honesty and finally concluded that an honest man could not be found. Honest people are hard to find in any age, but the trait is one that greatly matters. Honesty is not the best policy; it’s the only policy, and one of the marks of a man or woman who lives in God’s presence. David writes, “Lord, . . . who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly” (Ps. 15:1-2).
I ask myself: Am I trustworthy and honorable in all my affairs? Do my words ring true? Do I speak the truth in love or do I fudge and fade the facts now and then, or exaggerate for emphasis? If so, I may turn to God with complete confidence and ask for forgiveness and for a good and honest heart—to make truthfulness an integral part of my nature. The One who has begun a good work in me is faithful. He will do it.
Lord, help me to be honest
In all I do and say,
And grant me grace and power
To live for You each day.
Live in such a way that when people think of honesty and integrity, they will think of you.
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Crowns Of Honor
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Posted:Jun 10, 2014 4:24 am
Last Updated:Jun 17, 2014 3:37 am 2056 Views
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Read: John 19:1-8
The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. —John 19:2
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 34-36; John 19:1-22
The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are stored securely and protected within the Tower of London under 24-hour guard. Each year, millions visit the display area to “ooh and aah” over these ornate treasures. The Crown Jewels symbolize the power of the kingdom, as well as the prestige and position of those who use them.
Part of the Crown Jewels are the crowns themselves. There are three different types: the coronation crown, which is worn when an individual is crowned monarch; the state crown (or coronet), which is worn for various functions; and the consort crown worn by the wife of a reigning king. Different crowns serve different purposes.
The King of heaven, who was worthy of the greatest crown and the highest honor, wore a very different crown. In the hours of humiliation and suffering that Christ experienced before He was crucified, “the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe” (John 19:2). That day, the crown, which is normally a symbol of royalty and honor, was turned into a tool of mockery and hate. Yet our Savior willingly wore that crown for us, bearing our sin and shame.
The One who deserved the best of all crowns took the worst for us.
Crown Him the Lord of life:
Who triumphed o’er the grave;
Who rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
Without the cross, there could be no crown.
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Generous God
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Posted:Jun 9, 2014 3:27 am
Last Updated:Jun 17, 2014 3:37 am 1990 Views
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Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
[God] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.
—Ephesians 3:20
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 32-33; John 18:19-40
When our family lived in Chicago several years ago, we enjoyed many benefits. Near the top of my list were the amazing restaurants that seemed to try to outdo each other, not only in great cuisine but also in portion sizes. At one Italian eatery, my wife and I would order a half portion of our favorite pasta dish and still have enough to bring home for dinner the next night! The generous portions made us feel like we were at Grandma’s house when she poured on the love through her cooking.
I also feel an outpouring of love when I read that my heavenly Father has lavished on us the riches of His grace (Eph. 1.7-8 and that He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (3:20). I’m so grateful that our God is not a stingy God who begrudgingly dishes out His blessings in small portions. Rather, He is the God who pours out forgiveness for the prodigal
(Luke 15), and He daily crowns us “with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Ps. 103:4).
At times we think God hasn’t provided for us as we would like. But if He never did anything more than forgive our sins and guarantee heaven for us, He has already been abundantly generous! So today, let’s rejoice in our generous God.
Lord, remind me often that You have been
exceedingly generous to me. Help me to extend that
generosity of spirit toward those around me, so that
they may know who You are and rejoice in You.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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D-Day
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Posted:Jun 6, 2014 3:54 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 1988 Views
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Read: Joshua 24:2,13-18
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
—Joshua 24:15
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 25-27; John 16
Recently I asked my older sister, Mary Ann, if she remembered when our family moved into the house where we lived for many years. She replied, “You were about 9 months old, and I remember that Mother and Daddy stayed up all night packing boxes and listening to the radio. It was June 6, 1944, and they were listening to live coverage of the Normandy Invasion.”
Today marks the 70th anniversary of what has become known as D-Day—a military term for the day on which a planned operation will begin. Over the years, D-Day has also come to mean a moment of decision or commitment in our personal lives.
At one point in ancient Israel, their leader Joshua, now an old man, challenged the people to another kind of D-Day. After years of struggle to possess their inheritance in the land God had promised them, Joshua urged them to faithfully serve the One who had been so faithful to them (Josh. 24). “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” he said. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (v.15).
The day we decide to follow the Savior is the greatest turning point in our life. And each day after, we can joyfully renew our commitment to serve Him.
Lord, what a privilege it is to say “yes” to You each
day. Thank You for loving me and forgiving me.
Guide me in all my choices today and
help me to serve You faithfully.
Life’s biggest decision is what you do with Jesus.
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Reframing The picture
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Posted:Jun 5, 2014 3:49 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 2007 Views
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Read: Deuteronomy 32.7-12
As an eagle stirs up its nest, . . . spreading out its wings, . . . so the Lord alone led [Jacob]. —Deuteronomy 32:11-12
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15
For 3 months I had a ringside seat— or should I say a bird’s-eye view—of God’s amazing handiwork. Ninety feet above the floor of Norfolk Botanical Garden, workers installed a webcam focused on the nest of a family of bald eagles, and online viewers were allowed to watch.
When the eggs hatched, Mama and Papa Eagle were attentive to their offspring, taking turns hunting for food and guarding the nest. But one day when the eaglets still looked like fuzzballs with beaks, both parents disappeared. I worried that harm had come to them.
My concern was unfounded. The webcam operator enlarged the camera angle, and there was Mama Eagle perched on a nearby branch.
As I pondered this “reframed” picture, I thought of times when I have feared that God had abandoned me. The view in the forest heights of Virginia reminded me that my vision is limited. I see only a small part of the entire scene.
Moses used eagle imagery to describe God. As eagles carry their young, God carries His people (Deut. 32:11-12). Despite how it may seem, the Lord “is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). This is true even when we feel abandoned.
Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him—I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me and I am His .
Because the Lord is watching over us, we don’t have to fear the dangers around us.
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Room And Board
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Posted:Jun 4, 2014 4:32 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 1971 Views
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Read: John 14:1-11
I go to prepare a place for you. —John 14:2
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14
On a recent trip to England, my friend and his wife and I visited Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. The house is more than 400 years old, and it was the childhood and family home of William Shakespeare’s wife.
The tour guide drew our attention to a table made with wide boards. One side was used for eating meals and the other for chopping food. In English life, different expressions grew from this usage as the word board became associated with food, housing, honesty, and authority. An inn would offer “room and board”—that is, sleeping and eating accommodations. In taverns where customers played cards, they were told to keep their hands “above board” to make sure they weren’t cheating. And in the home, the father was given a special chair at the head of the table where he was called “chairman of the board.”
As I reflected on this, I thought about how Jesus is our “room and board.” He is our source of spiritual nourishment (John 6:35,54); He empowers us to live a life of integrity (14:21); He is our loving Master (Phil. 2:11); and He is even now preparing our eternal home. He promised: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2; see also 14:1-4,23). His grace has provided our everlasting room and board.
Christ meets our needs now and for eternity.
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The View From The End
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Posted:Jun 3, 2014 4:03 am
Last Updated:Jun 5, 2014 3:50 am 1914 Views
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Read: Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 11-16
All things work together for good to those who love God. —Romans 8:28
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 19-20; John 13:21-38
Over the course of one year, Richard LeMieux’s lucrative publishing business collapsed. Soon, his wealth disappeared, and he became depressed. Eventually, LeMieux began to abuse alcohol and his family deserted him. At the lowest point in his life, he was homeless, broken, and destitute. However, it was during this time that he turned to God. He later wrote a book about what he learned.
The Israelites learned some valuable spiritual lessons when God allowed them to endure homelessness, uncertainty, and danger. Their hardships humbled them (Deut. 8:1-18.
They learned that God would provide for their needs. When they were hungry, He gave them manna. When they were thirsty, He gave them water from a rock. God taught them that, despite difficult times, He could bless them (v.1). Finally, the Israelites learned that adversity is not a sign of abandonment. Moses reminded them that God had been leading throughout their 40 years in the wilderness (v.2).
When we encounter desperate times, we can look for the spiritual lessons embedded in our difficulties—lessons that can help us rely on the One who causes all things to work together for our good and for His glory (Rom. 8:28.
Dear God, please give me the faith
to believe that You can bring good out of
any situation. Help me to see what You
want to show me during adversity.
The clearest view of everything that happens comes from heaven.
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The Careful Walk
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Posted:Jun 2, 2014 5:08 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 1890 Views
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Read: Ephesians 5:1-17
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise. —Ephesians 5:15
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 17-18; John 13:1-20
One of my favorite places to visit in Jamaica is Ocho Rios, home of Dunn’s River Falls—a spectacle that never ceases to amaze. Water cascades down a long series of rocks as it makes its way to the Caribbean Sea. Adventurers can climb the falls, scrambling over rounded rocks on an invigorating trek to the top. The flowing water, the potentially slippery surface, and the steep angles make the going slow and a bit treacherous.
To make it safely to the top, climbers must watch every step. If a person is not careful, he or she could fall on the journey. The keys to a successful climb are concentration and caution.
I can’t think of a better picture of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:15 when he says, “walk circumspectly.” We should “be very careful . . . how [we] live” (niv). Clearly, with all of life’s possible dangers coming our way as we climb through life, it is vital that we take each step with Jesus wisely and cautiously. A fool, the passage says, lives carelessly; a wise person watches each step so he does not stumble or fall.
Our goal of being “imitators of God” (v.1) is met, Paul says, as we walk carefully in love (vv.2,15). Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can walk in a way that honors God.
Consistency! How much we need
To walk a measured pace,
To live the life of which we speak,
Until we see Christ’s face.
As we trust God to rule our hearts our feet can walk His way.
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Jordyn's Journey
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Posted:May 30, 2014 3:39 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 1811 Views
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Read: Philippians 4:10-13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57
Jordyn Castor was born blind. But this doesn’t hold her back from living a full and productive life. The documentary Can You See How I See? tells her story. She excels at school and with a little help she enjoys biking and downhill skiing.
Of her sight, Jordyn says: “If I could give my blindness back, I wouldn’t do it. I think God made all of us the way we are for a reason . . . and I think my blindness is part of what I am going to do with my life.” She is now a university student majoring in computer technology. Her dream is to assist in developing new computer software that will help the blind.
How can Jordyn maintain such a positive outlook on life? As a Christ-follower, she understands that God is in control of the circumstances of life. This gives her confidence to pursue opportunities that others might not have believed possible. Certainly, Jordyn’s life illustrates this truth from Philippians:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4.13.
No matter what our strengths or weaknesses might be, God’s providential hand can give us what we need to make a difference for Him in our world. Rely on His strength to help you as you take a step of faith.
“I will strengthen,” so take courage,
of God, so weak and frail;
God has said so, and it must be,
For His promise cannot fail!
God’s call to a task includes His strength to complete it.
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Quest For Stolen Treasure
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Posted:May 29, 2014 3:31 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 7:40 pm 1660 Views
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Read: Matthew 4:18-22
[Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:19
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29
In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the dwarfs gathered to go up against Smaug, the fierce dragon, to retrieve their stolen treasure. In spite of the dangerously frightening quest, Balin, the dwarfs’ second-in-command, expressed confidence in Thorin: “There is one I could follow. There is one I could call King.” His commitment to the mission, as dangerous as it was, was empowered by his confidence in his leader.
At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He gathered a group around Him that would join Him in the kingdom task of rescuing the treasure of lost souls from our enemy, Satan. When He called them, He said, “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19). For them, following Jesus would mean a radical transition from catching fish to the enterprise of being fishers of men and women who were lost in the grip of sin. But the task would not always be easy; Jesus referred to the quest as taking up our cross to follow Him (see Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).
How do we stay engaged in the battle to reclaim Christ’s lost treasures when it seems intimidating or awkward? By keeping our eye on our Leader. He indeed is worthy—One we can follow, the One we call King!
Lord, in the face of intimidation and fear when
seeking to engage others with the gospel, remind
me that they are Your lost treasures. I count it
a privilege to follow You into others’ lives.
Follow your Leader into the lives of those around you.
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