“I followed my God wholeheartedly . . give me this hill country.” Joshua 14:8/12 NIV

“Doing the difficult is where you find God, who can do the impossible.”

My thoughts today are about “doing the difficult.”

It is natural for a person to want the easier path, but that is not where success nor satisfaction is found. Life’s opportunities are usually tucked into challenging times and situations. Pride of accomplishment is most found in doing what you should when you must, not in doing what you would. Doing the difficult is where you find a God who can do the impossible. See Luke 1:37/Matthew 19:26 NIV.

You will face times that require tough choices, having to choose between what you want to do and what you need to do. The first gives you pleasure immediately; the other is satisfying long term. Always choose the latter. Life will present opportunities with little risk, but those offer only small reward. Take the road less traveled. It will be less crowded because it has greater risk. Most people avoid anything except minimal risk, and in doing so most will miss the greater rewards.

Jesus described life’s choices this way, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV. Don’t get lost in the crowd; follow the Lord. Jesus was describing eternal choices, but the principle is true of the ordinary, everyday choices you have to make, everyday things that may appear as little, even inconsequential, yet those shape your character and create your future in ways you do not notice at that moment.

Those little choices determine the person you will be, the respect and regard you receive, the opportunities you are given, and the success you will have – choosing to do simple, ordinary, everyday things like: being on time, keeping your word, fulfilling your obligations, being considerate of others, saving consistently, giving generously, spending moderately, keeping first things first, living wisely, and always doing and giving your best – especially when no one is watching. The character and measure of a man or woman is not determined by what they do in the big moments of life; those are few. You will be the product of what you did along the way in the routines of each and every day.

Where others turned back in fear, Caleb pressed forward with courage. When others settled for easy conquests, Caleb requested the difficult ones. When some deferred the challenges, Caleb preferred them. Caleb refused to play it safe, or take it easy. Here is Caleb’s choice, “I am just as strong today . . just as vigorous to go out to battle now . . give me this hill country that the Lord promised me . . because He followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” Read Joshua 14:6-15 NIV. Rugged places are for rugged people. Such people carve out victories where others see only obstacles and risk. Be sure that you are “following the Lord wholeheartedly!” God put a bit of a Caleb spirit in you!

My prayer for you today is that you prize achievement more than you fear risk.

Devotionals Caleb, character, choices, conquests, courage, difficult, impossible, Joshua 14:6-15, opportunities, reward, risk, success, tough choices

“Regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NAS

“To appreciate others genuinely will never depreciate you.”

My thoughts today ask, “compete or contribute?”

Competition is healthy, until it is unhealthy. Healthy competition is when persons or teams are competing fairly and wholeheartedly on the field or floor, but unhealthy when their rivalry spills over after the game, gets vocal and involves name calling. That’s when it’s ugly. Now everyone should want to be their best, but that is not the same as always needing to be the best! Life allows you to choose whether you will compete or prefer to contribute. Long term, you will be more satisfied by contributing to others’ well-being, happiness, and achievements.

Jesus disciples seemed unduly competitive, often overly preoccupied with comparisons. They argued about, “Who is the greatest?” Luke 12:24 NIV. Even at the most inappropriate times and places, like in Jerusalem the night Jesus would later be betrayed. They seemed always to be jockeying for position, maneuvering to be first in line, seen as best in the Kingdom, worrying about their name at the top of any list. Sound like anyone you know? Still happens today.

In his speech upon being enshrined in the NBA Hall of Fame, Michael Jordan, recognized as the greatest in his sport, could not resist his need to again elevate himself above others, even reminding coaches and fellow competitors from whom he felt slighted years before. When unrivaled achievement called for him to be grateful and gracious, he would not lay aside his competitiveness. In depreciating others, some sports writers thought he diminished himself.

That will happen when your focus shifts to yourself and away from others. The Bible has a simple answer, humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is simply thinking more of others. To appreciate others genuinely will never depreciate you. In God’s eyes, that attitude elevates you. See 1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV. Paul counsels, “Be devoted to one another . . honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:NIV. Another translation of that verse reads, “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Now that’s an arena for healthy competition, trying to outdo one another in giving first place to one another. Read 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NAS. We are all on the same team!

Does it surprise you that Jesus never corrected his disciples for seeking greatness? Jesus simply redirected their path for getting there. Jesus taught, “True greatness is not shown by how many serve you, but measured by how many you choose to serve.” See Luke 22:24-27 NIV. Serving Christ is best evidenced when you switch from competing with others to finding delight in complementing others’ efforts by contributing your interest, time, and assistance generously. Compete or contribute? Your choice!

My prayer for you today is that you have a servant’s heart, happy to see another be first.

Devotionals comparisons, compete, competition, complement, contribute, depreciating others, greatness, Hall of Fame, humility, Michael Jordan, NBA, Philippians 2:3, servant's heart

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“Peace is not a vacuum; it is the ample fullness of God.”

My thoughts today are about “the reality of peace.”

Peace seems to be an elusive thing much of the time – for nations, relationships, marriages, and individuals. The best peace that any one of us can attain by our own efforts is rather fragile. You work to get it all together, then some small thing happens and it all starts falling apart.

What is peace, really? Let’s begin with what you think peace would be, but isn’t. Peace is not the absence of trouble; if that were true how many people would ever enjoy peace, and even for them it would be short-lived. That one mistaken assumption allows people to overlook where they would have found peace, but instead were looking for an indefinable place that does not exist – a place where there is no trouble.

Let me tell you where you will not find peace. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble!” John 16:33 NIV. Could that be stated any more plainly? There is no ambiguity there. So, if this world with its troubles and disharmony is where you are looking, you will stay very disappointed.

Now, let me tell you where God says you will find peace. “In Me you will have peace.” John 16:33 NIV. Peace does not happen in a vacuum. God’s peace is the presence of everything you need in order to be at peace. That is the literal translation of the Hebrew word for peace, “shalom.” Real peace is not found in an emptiness of all that is troubling; true peace is the ample fullness of God and all that is good!  Paul’s prayer for every Christ-follower was, “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 NKJV.

Peace is a quiet confidence of heart and spirit that God is sufficient for you, whatever the present circumstance. See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV. You lack nothing when you have all that God is, and has, and gives.

“In Me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV. Note the clear contrast: in Jesus, in the world. In Jesus, there is peace! In the world there is trouble! It’s that simple. Where are you going to look to find peace? Here is Jesus’ promise then and now, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV.

The Bible says this about peace, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on You . . the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest – though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely.” Isaiah 26:3NLT/17-19 NIV. Weren’t expecting that last part were you? When and where would you need peace more?

My prayer for you today is: walk in peace with God; enjoy the peace of God!

Devotionals Isaiah 26:3/17-19, John 16:33, peace, perfect peace, Shalom, trouble

“Christ . . is your example; follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 NLT

“Everybody is following something or someone to somewhere.”

My thoughts today are about “an example, not exception.”

Everyone needs an example to follow. I have two questions: whose example are you following, and where is that taking you? Some follow celebrities and sports stars; some follow the latest fashions, cultural trends, or technology; some follow the crowd; some follow their friends or peers; a few follow their own drumbeat. But everybody is following something or someone to somewhere. Who, what, and where that is have everything to do with how your journey will be and where you will finish.

In college, a professor required me to read a simple, small book that impacted my life and ministry, more than might have been without it, less than I wish I had allowed it. That book, “In His Steps,” was a story by Charles M. Sheldon, a pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, written in 1896 about a mid-western church of self satisfied congregants who are challenged to live their lives for one year asking, “What would Jesus do?” It is reported that the book has sold 30 million copies.

Stated in the simplest of terms, here is the how you experience the best that life can offer. Follow Jesus; you will have no regrets and make no wrong turns. That is not a part time job, or something that you can do when it is convenient to your schedule. Jesus frequent invitation was as simple as this, “Come, follow Me!” Mark 1:17. To follow His example successfully you will have to know Him well, learn and follow His ways, watch Him constantly, listen closely, and obey Him consistently.

Unavoidably, there is an exclusivity in following Jesus. Jesus said, “(My) sheep follow Me because they know My voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice . . My sheep listen to My voice: I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:4-5/27-28 NIV. Following in His steps is not a casual, carefree stroll; it is a disciplined commitment. “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NIV. It is not an easy path to which you are called. The path is for you as it was for Jesus – self denial and sacrifice, but joyously given. His was for your salvation; your self denial and sacrifice is because of your salvation. “Christ . . is your example. Follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 NLT.

Here is what I have found in my efforts to follow in Jesus’ steps: accomplishing that is more likely when I surround myself with others whose heart and intent is to be true followers of Jesus. There will always be times when you will need their encouragement to keep following when it’s difficult to do so, and you will need their loving correction when you are tempted to do otherwise. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Read Romans 15:5-7 NIV.

Now, there is also the matter of your own example. Be an example, not an exception! Are you an exception to Christ’s example, or a faithful example of His? What example are you setting for others’ encouragement in Christ? The Apostle Paul was confident and crystal clear to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV. Here are the practical ways your example should be seen: “in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV. Can others safely follow you? They can, if you are following Jesus.

My prayer for you today is to walk with God, every step, everywhere, every day.

Devotionals 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Timothy 4:12, Charles M. Sheldon, examples, exceptions, In His Steps, John 10

“Keep your (life) free from the love of money . . content with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

“Money is important because every day you trade a part of your life for it.”

My thoughts today are about “the love of money.”

Do you ever consider how money occupies your time, thought, and efforts? Money is important; there is no doubt about that. Money is important because every day you trade a part of your life for it and for the things it can provide, both necessities and luxuries. It is just not as all-important as you can easily allow it to become.

I have heard a Bible verse badly misquoted by people who say “Money is the root of all evil.” That is not what the Bible says or teaches. Money is just a commodity, neither good nor bad, neither noble nor evil, except for how it is gained and used. You are not a better person for having more of it, nor inferior for having less; your bank balance does not define you. Jesus warned of the “deceitfulness of riches,” because money promises a lot of things it can’t deliver. There will never be enough money, because people expect money to do things it was never meant to do. You can’t fill emptiness with money; you can’t cure loneliness; you won’t find security in it; you can’t buy happiness or peace of mind.

Here is what the Bible does teach about money, “The love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil . . keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” 1 Timothy 6:6-11 NLT/ Hebrews 13:5 NIV.

Money is not the problem; the inordinate love of money is the problem, and the very real danger of elevating money beyond its place and priority. Money and the things it can supply can become a god that holds an importance and place it cannot be trusted to occupy. Reserve your love for God, other people, and yourself (Mark 12:30-31); don’t waste and misdirect your love on money.

Mistakenly, you might assume that the goal of work is to get enough money so you can afford to quit working. Productive work has a value beyond money. The Bible principle is clear, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work . . on the seventh day you shall do no work.” See Exodus 20:8-11 NIV. Work is how you serve God and others in practical, meaningful ways, as well as the means through which God meets your needs and supplies your resource for generosity.

I have heard well meaning people assume that work was the result of the curse, after Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. Not so. Meaningful labor preceded their foolish disobedience. See Genesis 2:8/15 NIV. However, the curse of their sin caused the struggle and toil associated with their work. “Cursed is the ground because of you . . through painful toil you will eat of it . . it will produce thorns and thistles for you . . by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food . .” Genesis 3:17-19 NIV.

Here is the sum of this: money is not what your life is to be about. There is a responsibility that comes with wealth – the greater the wealth, the greater the responsibilities. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48 NIV.

Enjoy thankfully all that God provides for you, but do not let money be wrongly trusted as your source of happiness and security. God alone is your Source. “Every good and perfect gift is from above . . from the Father . . my God will supply all your need . .“ James 1:17 NIV/Philippians 4:19 NIV.

My prayer for you today is that you learn to be content with what you have.

Devotionals 1 Timothy 6:6-11 NLT, Genesis 3:17-19, Happiness, Hebrews 13:5, love of money, money, Philippans 4:19, root of all evil, security