Tag: inspirational Christian articles

Devotion Comes First | The Position of Faithfulness

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“His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord,” Matthew 25:21

There is something to be said about a job well done.  That oh-so-satisfying feeling when one has worked hard to see the fruition of a purpose being fulfilled and then steps back and announces, “Ah, it was hard but well worth it.”  One of my pet peeves is asking someone to perform a task for me and the job ends up only halfway done, with half-way effort.  It’s a very frustrating experience because I could have just done the job myself the right way but that defeats the purpose of delegating a duty in the first place. 

With that realization, I wonder how God must feel about the duties He has delegated to us?  In our daily walk have we dealt with our Christianity with that same half-way done effort or have we really gone for the gusto?  Have we really expressed ourselves as being faithful, manifesting all God is or has done in our lives?

Through that short stint of questioning the reality of it all hits me.  No!  The truth is, many of us are like the seed in the parable of the sower.  The cares of this world have encroached upon us, choking the spiritual vitality right out of us, leaving us with only half-hearted energy to do a halfway job for God.  Each of our lives is destined with purpose.  Each has been endowed with something wonderful and unique to contribute to this world.  God has chosen us to stand as ambassadors, to show this lost world how to be found and how to live in this world while having a flourishing relationship with Him.  Unfortunately, that cannot be accomplished if we are not as diligent in the care of the work of the Lord as He is to us. 

How will that great thing God put in you ever develop as an outgrowth of your faith if you are not faithful to it; if you are not faithful to Him?  For if one is faithful to Him, then are they faithful to all He has instilled in them.  How many wouldn’t like to hear, “Well done,” coming from the mouth of our Lord? Sometimes we work hard in this life, doing all we know how to do to stay above water, then after all the heartache, sweat, and tears, a voice speaks and confirms that it was not in vain.  “Well done.”

In order to receive that proclamation of good work, one has to be faithful.  The word “faithful” was used twice in this one verse alone.  First, it described the servant.  Then it was used again to describe his work ethic.  The servant was one who the master could count on because of his character, and also because of the way he handled the affairs of business.  Does that word describe us in either or both of those ways?  One without the other just won’t do.  James 2:17 tells us, “Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.”  What goes on on the inside of the believer should show up on the outside.  There should be some type of manifestation branching out of our faithfulness.  

Everyone in Christ is called to a life of devotion to God, giving Him priority, as characterized by faithfulness, and having that reach out in our daily affairs.   We are called to be that reliable, trustworthy person whom God doesn’t mind acknowledging as, “Well done,” and handing him or her more talents to care for. 

A life of faithfulness will get you there.  Take God off the back burner of your life and give Him precedence over all.  Rewards will come, but devotion comes first.  The harvest will come but only after the seeds have been planted.  The position of fulfilling purpose and accomplishing good works will always start with a position of faithfulness. 

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Uncompromising!

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Genuine. 

Real. 

No hypocrisy. 

No pretense. 

No compromising. 

Just honest to goodness, holding on to one’s integrity with every fiber of their being.  “This is what I believe, and I’m sticking to it!”  The person who governs his or her faith by these attributes is a person who is truly sold out for God.

This one will unashamedly hold on to their beliefs despite circumstances.  They are as clear as transparent glass in their true devotion to God.  What you see is what you get.  They are the same inside and out.  They are as unwavering in their faith behind closed doors as they are in the open square.  They are the same in the streets as they are in the church house.  Their walk with God doesn’t swing on the hinges of what is convenient or comfortable or safe.  They live for Him, for an audience of One, in the good times and the bad.

No backing down.  No false or phony surface worship.  Their hearts are truly tied to God in the most real of ways, and substituting for less just is not an option.  And let’s face it, in a world filled with so many things that are artificial, at the very least, one’s faith should be real.

At least, that’s what Daniel and his friends: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah believed. Chosen to enter the king’s training program designed to indoctrinate them while being held captives in Babylon, they were given favorable treatment and “a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank,” (Daniel 1:5). While all of this may sound good on the outside, on the inside some things that came with this special favor didn’t sit right with Daniel. It came with a price that Daniel was not willing to pay. The price: compromise.

So, the Bible tells us, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, not with wine which he drank . . .” (Daniel 1:8). Historically, traditionally, and according to the Law, to do so would be to participate in that which is considered unclean and not appropriate for the strict dietary guidelines of their faith.

Special privilege or not; an opportunity to advance and make life easier for himself could not and would not cause Daniel to do anything that would eat away at his conscience in his relationship with God.  Throughout his young life, he has known nothing but to adhere to the ways of his people passed down from generation to generation under the instruction of God.  Now that he was in captivity and at the disposal of the enemy’s power and influence, Daniel still persisted uncompromisingly to hold on to his belief and not waiver from what he had been taught to be right.  The enemy’s goal may have been to indoctrinate these young people with their own ways, but God was already seared on their hearts and Daniel and his friends were resolved to keep it that way. They may have been in a strange country now and under strange human leadership, but their hearts were still tied to God and His ways, and they were determined with everything in them to follow God all the way.

Following God all the way, that’s the true definition, in my opinion, of an uncompromising life. We all face decisions and choices in life that may not sit well with us. They may ask us to do things that we feel aren’t pleasing to God or we know that it’s just out and out wrong. Jesus helps us with those decisions by plainly and without apology reminding us, “No man can serve two masters . . .” (Matthew 6:24). To follow the world would be to deny God. To follow God, as Daniel and his friends did, would mean turning your back on the world, the desires, and those things that we believe would make our life easier and advantageous.

When Daniel and his friends decided to stay with God and not take the easy way out, God blessed their faithfulness: “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (Daniel 1:17). Previously, God made it known, “For them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30). Our God is a just God and He believes in rewarding them that diligently seek Him and His ways (Hebrews 11:6). In the end, God elevated Daniel and his friends with more.

Even if the reward isn’t as immediate. Even if we don’t see it on this side of heaven, God is still calling for uncompromising people of faith to pick up the standard of His Word and live it.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments . . .” Psalm 111:10

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If only… — Word For Life Says…

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Faith is not at all passive.  Nor is it just about dreaming.  It is also about doing. Today, we can believe for more. Hope for more. And, put faith into action because our God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” Ephesians 3:20.

If only… — Word For Life Says…

Purpose in the Struggle | Another Look at the Hardships Faced in Our Christian Journey

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Why, we may wonder, why God does not just remove every obstacle and resistance to our faith?  Why in this journey must we fight?  Why must we strive against adversity in reaching where we are aiming to be?

Can a faith that is not exercised truly be called faith?  For if the road traveled is always smooth and the pathways are always leveled plains, how then will we ever learn to climb?  How will we learn to exert our muscles and pull our weight to mount upon the top? 

More strength only comes by using more strength.  More faith only comes by being forced to use more faith.  We can only learn to climb by experience.  We can only learn to push ahead by continuing to push ahead.  We can only learn to fight by being made to fight.

There are things that God knows His people will only learn by going through them.  That’s why Judges 3:2 says, “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;”. 

When choosing multiple services in life we tend to want to choose those with experience.  Take getting a simple hair cut for example.  We want those who have had plenty of practice perfecting their skill before attempting to put scissors near our heads which could alter the way we look for good or for bad.

God has many plans and purposes for His people but what we fail to see or have the patience for is the seasoning of the saint, the molding and perfecting that goes on behind the scenes.

I guarantee no one whom you have read about or seen doing great exploits for the Lord, just fell into that role ready to go.  There was some teaching.  There was some humbling.  There was some learning along the way.  It may have been behind closed doors and away from the eyes of the public, but God takes the time to make sure His vessels are properly prepared to go forth and hold all the potential and purposes He has for them.

The children of Israel might have been concerned as to why certain enemies were left in the neighboring surroundings.  By them, God was testing His people.  By them, God was teaching those to war who had never known war before.  God was causing faith muscles to be exercised.  He was training hearts to not focus on what they see in the enemy but on what they know about their God.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Peter 4:12).  There is no struggle or contention that does not come without a purpose.  Though it may not be pleasant it is plentifully seasoning your walk with the Lord.  Like the children of Israel, it is teaching your hands to war.

One can never be a good soldier without ever facing contentions.  One can never learn to fight unless they have been made to fight.  One can never learn to pray in earnest if they never had that petition that would draw them to the knee with fervency.  And one could never learn to seek and lean on Him if their heart were never stirred to do so through the challenges faced.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6-7).  It may not always feel like it, and it may not always feel good, but there is purpose in the hardships we face, especially when it comes to our faith which is found more praiseworthy in the eyes of Christ than gold that will perish.

Sometimes we may not understand everything and we may ask, “Why?”  But as we journey, may our eyes never leave Him who promised and is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).  Take heart, dear friend.  Through it all, at the end of our Christian race, we may look back and see the fruit those hard times produced, and we may see the purpose in the struggles.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

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Laboring Women

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“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3

Laboring women.  Those two words together more than likely bring immediately to our minds the idea of childbirth, which is a unique celebration in and of itself.  Yet, the Bible has a way of showing people beyond the norms of what may immediately come to mind.  It highlights the character, contributions, giftings, and skills of those, men or women, who were used by God or allowed God to use what they had or could do to further Kingdom business.

While we are familiar with Ruth, Deborah, and Esther in the Old Testament, and with names like Mary (take your pick), Pricilla, and Dorcas in the New Testament, what we find in the pages of Scripture that there are numerous characters (men and women alike, although I’m focusing on a female point of view here), whose lives and contributions made a significant impact even though they were not mentioned by name.

Paul made special mention in the verse above to the Philippian church to “help those women which laboured with me in the gospel.”  These women supported his ministry.  These unsung, nameless warriors are only known by mention here and the people they served then.  We don’t know who they are or how they helped in such a way for this honorable mention here – but help, they did, therefore Paul wanted the church to keep in mind the way their works provided service.

Another thing we don’t see here is the struggle to be seen.  We don’t see a fight or contentions arising because they wanted the recognition of their name and actions to be made known.  It’s as if it was just their pleasure to serve the gospel and to help in whatever capacity they could.

Their service mattered and made a difference.  And while they are not named here, the “Book of Life” holds their names.  Father God knows who they are, and He knows who you are.

You may not always receive the pat on the back, the acceptance, the “Good job!”, you are looking for, but what you do for Christ, what you do for the furtherance of the ministry of the Kingdom of God matters as well, and it is important.

Your name may not be published far and wide ascribing your accomplishments.  But if it is published in that Book of Life, have no fear of missing out because the Holder of that holy record sees everything you do for His Kingdom, and you can trust that He will reward you accordingly.

God sees and knows what you do for Him!

Further Inspiration:

“Overlooked?  Not By God!”

“Shamgar, Who?”

The Cup, the Kiss, and the Kingdom

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Text Free Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28.  How many times have we reflected upon or claimed that verse over our own lives?  How many are the troubles we have endured when we pull this promise out of the pocket of Scripture to reassure our hearts during tumultuous times?

And, my friend, why would we not?  This, as with too many promises to name, support us through the many difficult situations we face.  They fill our hearts with a hope that we may not physically be able to see, yet through faith in Him, our faith in God’s promises let us know our hope is not without a firm foundation.  Our hope has its source in One.

One who never fails.  One who will not suffer one jot or tittle to fall without the performance of what was written and hoped for, Matthew 5:18.

Our hope is in Him who took it all upon His person that He might secure it all for our person.

The cup would not go down like sweet juice, Matthew 26:42.  It was filled with bitterness.  It was filled with hurt.  It was filled with wrath.  It was filled with the sin of humanity.  Jesus Christ would drink every drop, leaving no remnant of moisture behind in the cup, for it was for complete salvation – it was to be the complete offering He has come to this moment in time.

Our Lord did not forsake the cup that was given to Him.  He drained its contents upon His very life, counting God’s will to be higher, determining the Father’s will to be accomplished above all.

The drowsy disciples saw Him praying.  They feel the earnestness of His resolve and soul.  Even the three closest to Him still could not wrap their heads around the contents of that cup He drank.  So, they slept.

Nevertheless, He submits wholly to emptying its fullness upon His life.

There was one who cared not about the suffering in the cup He drank.  This one’s focus was on selfish gain.  Going to the private place where Jesus shared close companionship with His disciples, a place usually of respite has now become a place of betrayal and a kiss would be the telling sign.

“Hail, master,” he spoke as if this were an ordinary day of greeting.  As if subterfuge was not in his heart, Matthew 26:49.

He made his deal.  The silver jingled in his pockets as he embraced the One who could give him riches in glory untold, Matthew 26:14-16.

“Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Jesus questioned, Matthew 26:50.  Both of these men have arrived at this place in the garden at this point in history.  Each is there though to fulfill very different purposes.  Judas has come in selfishness.  Jesus has come in selflessness.

Jesus has come to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10.  He has come to this point in time to “give his life a ransom for many” Mark 10:45.  Their reasons for being there on that night are as vastly separated as heaven and hell.  Judas wants to finance an earthly kingdom or himself.  Jesus Christ has come to build a Kingdom not made with hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1.

To His disciples, He often taught on the nearness of the kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7; Mark 1:15).  Parables were told to give those who would listen, not just with their ears, but with their hearts, a clearer glimpse into who would be in that kingdom and what it would be like (Matthew 13:24-53; Luke 18:16).

Securing souls for the Kingdom, and giving mankind a fighting chance, was the reason for this pivotal moment in this garden of conflict.

This conflict that brought so much pain to total innocence was not without purpose.  As horrible as this night appeared, and as horrific the events which followed would be, Jesus knew that God would work something good, even out of this evil.  It was “for the joy that was set before him [He, Jesus] endured the cross. . .” Hebrews 12:2.

Christ had many joys to look forward to when this was all over, but one of His greatest joys, I believe, is to see the Kingdom full of believing saints.  Hearts, who in their lifetime, believed and surrendered, will pass through those heavenly gates.

Jesus did not come to earth for Himself.  He did not go before multitudes to convince them of a better way for Himself.  He did not climb Calvary’s cross and submit to death for Himself.

No.  No.  A thousand times, NO!  But for you.  For me.  For us, He became “the way, the truth, and the light” John 14:6.  For people such as us, He was the greatest gift of love manifested, John 3:16.

He became sin that we might be freed from sin, (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 9:28).  He became our precious Lamb of God, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The cup that was filled with wrath opened the gate for forgiveness and restoration.  The kiss of betrayal put in motion the events that led to the cross.  And it is at the cross, you will find the Key to the Kingdom.

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His Stripes | Healing for Every Area of Life

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“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Those words from the prophet Isaiah are words we are reminded of when facing sicknesses or other health crises.  It’s the first go-to verse others will use when attempting to encourage those dealing with such maladies.  Yet, the Bible doesn’t narrow the power and authority of this verse or its meaning to only travel down the avenue of physical pain and/or illness.  No, my friend.  Its scope and range are mighty for so much more.

Healing is not limited to only what the body is dealing with.  As a whole person, we may have other areas that may seem out of whack that need the touch of the Savior’s sacrificing blood to flow toward its troubles and restore, fix, and yes, heal, whatever ails a person.

What’s to stop the power of His sacrifice from flowing into the crevices of relationships or to help in any number of places and with the many decisions we face, along with the hope of health for the body?

The stripes that tore His flesh cannot be confined to just the healing of the flesh.  Today, when you think of the word healing, what area of your life instantly comes to mind at this moment?  It may be a physical illness that you are dealing with, and I stand in prayer with you over it.  But, does something else come to mind?  A hurt that is not physical?  Resoration sought in another area?  His stripes come to heal all areas of our lives, and I pray for the places where you need His healing touch, be it heart, mind, body, life, relationships, or wherever.  Don’t limit the power of His sacrifice.  Do not limit the impact this great word and promise can have in your life.

Whatever came to mind when I asked you, “when you think of the word healing, what comes to mind?”, even this, even that thing that instantly came to mind, He is able to heal and cure the worst of it.

O Lord, we pray, that You would touch us and keep us under Your healing flow, no matter what issues we may encounter today.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, AMEN!

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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The Grace of Time

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Have you ever thought of the many different ways the grace of God shows up in our lives? Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on His great gift of time?

Time. Oh, how precious it is. For every second that has passed, there will not be another in its place. Once those moments, hours, days, and years are gone, they are gone.

Time is not a reusable commodity. It’s a use-it-while-you-have-it reality.

Therefore, when I think about time, I think of each precious bit that is doled out to us daily, not only as a gift but as God’s grace at work in our lives once again.

The grace of time can present itself in so many ways. Perhaps, it’s found in just the few extra seconds the light stayed green for you during a hectic morning rush. It could be found in the opportunity to hold a dear one a little bit longer. At one point in the Bible, God even graced Joshua and the army of Israel with more time to advance against their enemies by holding the sun and the moon still (Joshua 10:12-13).

But I think the most precious grace of time is seen in the longsuffering of our Heavenly Father. 2 Peter 3:9 shows us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This verse shows us the love in action behind the grace of time. It shows us that our eternal God, who is not bound by the hours on the clock, holding off the final day of judgment for a little while longer to give as many as possible the chance to repent and turn their lives around.

This grace of time isn’t for us to determine when it is done. The judgment of time belongs to the Father. Even Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father,” (Mark 13:32).

To that, He adds, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is,” (Mark 13:33).

How wise it would be for us to take a page from David’s story and acknowledge, “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding,” (1 Chronicles 29:15).

With that being said, Father God, we thank You for this day that you have given us, and we thank You for the grace of time.

“My times are in thy hand . . .” Psalm 31:15

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

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From the Inside Out

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No matter how good we look on the outside, or how well we can talk, or how much we have acquired, if our hearts and minds are not right, it is all in vain. Father God, I want to be right from the inside out. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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When Little Means a Lot!

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There are few places in life where it seems anything associated with the word little is appreciated.  And while our culture and this world tend to only see the big things, the grand, the outlandishly oversized as important to regard, the Bible continually teaches us that those things that we consider to be little, mean so much more.

For instance, Psalm 37:16 lets us know, “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”  It’s all a matter of where value is placed.  The values that the righteous man has within him because of his relationship with God far exceed the value of things, stuff, and money many wicked together can possess.  Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven . . .” (Mt. 6:19-20).  Little possessions may not account for much here, but a heart rich in Jesus is worth so much more, here, and in heaven.

Another thing our culture celebrates is the idea of success, especially what appears to be an instant or overnight success.  In an age where clicks to like can boost an “influencer’s” reputation or clout, it Is not hard to imagine the rise of some to happen so quickly.  And yet, the Bible asks this in Zechariah: “For who hath despised the day of small things?” (4:10).

All success is not bad.  In fact, we are encouraged many times in the Bible to work, work hard, and put in full effort.  But what is bad is the worship of success and the comparison trap it can bring.  The groundwork of what God wants to do in your life is going to need an awesome foundation, and any good foundation takes time to build.

Clicks, likes, and human recognition may not have you shooting ahead fast as lightning, but your progress in God, your progress in what and how He is leading you to build, is worth so much more, even if it takes a little bit longer.

A little in God’s kingdom can do mighty works.  And the Bible teaches us “if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed” (Lk. 17:6; Mt. 17:20, and 21:21), you can do amazing things.  It’s not always about increasing, as the disciples once asked (Lk. 17:5), it’s about working with what you presently possess.  And if what you presently possess is not much, God can multiply that if you just will use your little bit.

With God, size doesn’t matter, but source does.  If you look at what you have and you depend on that as your source, that is not faith – God’s not interested in that.  But if He’s your authentic, true-enough source; if it is to Him you are raising your eyes to heaven, with your two fish and five little loaves (Mt. 14:17-19) – now, that kind of reliant faith is something He can work with.

Friends, I have only touched the tip of the iceberg here to teach you that with God, a little means a whole lot.  But I hope it’s enough to encourage you to stop comparing where you are with another’s progress.  Don’t let discouraging thoughts discount the value in you.  You are important.   What you have is important, no matter how any other views it, even if it appears to only be a little.

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” Proverbs 30:24-28

Little things can make a big difference.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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