Death: Because of Christ, You Can Face It.

by Max Lucado

As heart surgeries go, mine was far from the riskiest. But any procedure that requires four hours of probes inside your heart is enough to warrant an added prayer. So on the eve of my surgery, Denalyn, I, and some kind friends offered our share. We were staying at a hotel adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. We asked God to bless the doctors and watch over the nurses. After we chatted a few minutes, they wished me well and said good-bye. I needed to go to bed early. But before I could sleep, I wanted to offer one more prayer... alone.

I took the elevator down to the lobby and found a quiet corner and began to think. What if the surgery goes awry? What if this is my final night on earth? Is there anyone with whom I should make my peace? Do I need to phone any person and make amends? I couldn't think of anyone. (So if you are thinking I should have called you, sorry. Perhaps we should talk.)

Next I wrote letters to my wife and daughters, each beginning with the sentence "If you are reading this, something went wrong in the surgery."

Then God and I had the most honest of talks. We began with a good review of my first half century. The details would bore you, but they entertained us. I thanked him for grace beyond measure and for a wife who descended from the angels. My tabulation of blessings could have gone on all night and threatened to do just that. So I stopped and offered this prayer: I'm in good hands, Lord. The doctors are prepared; the staff is experienced. But even with the best of care, things happen. This could be my final night in this version of life, and I'd like you to know, if that's the case, I'm okay.

And I went to bed. And slept like a baby. As things turned out, I recovered from the surgery, and here I am, strong as ever, still pounding away at the computer keyboard. One thing is different, though. This matter of dying bravely?

I think I will.

May you do the same.

Today's Bible Verse...

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.—Philemon 1:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wouldn't this description of Philemon be a great one to have said about you! To be loved, supported, and encouraged by an encourager is to have your heart refreshed and your attitude lifted. Let's make a commitment to be an "encourager" who refreshes the hearts of those around us this week.

My Prayer...

Tender and loving God, thank you for leading the people into my life who have encouraged me when I most needed it. Please give me the eyes to see and the heart to serve those around me who desperately need my encouragement. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

Church-a-plex by Tim Ayers

 

Abusing God's Patience

4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.Romans 2:4-5 NIV

 

Have you ever ignored the press of conviction upon your heart? Maybe you rationalized your wrongdoing with the thought that if God were really upset, He'd put a stop to things by disciplining you. Psalm 50:21 reminds us that the silence of heaven does not mean approval. Remaining in sin is an abuse of the Lord's patience.

 

When God seems slow to react, we might hope He's overlooking our transgressions--we'd like to continue in sin because the momentary pleasure is more appealing than obedience. But thankfully, the Father knows our weaknesses, our innate carnality, and the state of our spiritual growth, and He therefore measures His response. Motivated by love and a desire to gently restore His children to righteousness, God refrains from doling out immediate punishment. Instead, He waits for the Holy Spirit's proddings to impact the believer's heart. The weight of conviction is actually an invitation to turn from wrongdoing and return to godliness.

 

However, we're a stubborn people. There are times when we persist in sin because the sentence against an evil deed isn't executed quickly (Eccl. 8:11). In this dangerous situa-tion, it's possible to immerse ourselves in sin and harden our hearts against the Lord. Then the Holy Spirit's call to repentance falls on spiritual ears rapidly going deaf.

 

As we learn and understand more about God and His ways, we are increasingly responsible to live righteously. The Lord is not slow; He's patient. Do not abuse His patience with callous disregard for His statutes. Repent and be holy in the sight of the Lord.

From Dr. Charles Stanley & www.intouch.org.

Today's Bible Verse...

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.—1 Timothy 6:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse... 

It is awfully easy to try to build our security around money, isn't it? But world catastrophes, economic collapses, embargoes, and natural disasters can wipe out the basis of our security if it is in earthly wealth or physical things. But if our hope is in God, we get to share the bounty of his blessings in the world around us and the assurance that what is most important in our life cannot be taken away from us.

My Prayer...

Faithful and loving God, I am so thankful that you are the one in whom I can find my identity, values, hope, security, and future. You have blessed me in so many ways, but please help as I'm working to put my trust in you and not in earthly wealth or possessions. To you belong all glory and praise, now and forever. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

Reluctant to Start Building Campaign by Steve Phelps

How to Find Joy in Every Circumstance

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! - Philippians 4:4

The famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the construction of a beautiful new cathedral in London. A local journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the workers, so he went to the site and found the most miserable looking people he could and asked the question, “What are you doing?”

The first worker responded, “I’m cutting stone for only 10 shillings a day.” The second answered, “I’m putting in 10 hard hours a day for this measly job.”

The journalist then looked over and saw a man who was energetic and seemed very happy about his job. So he went to him and asked the same question, “What are you doing here?”

The worker answered, “I’m helping Christopher Wren construct one of London’s greatest cathedrals.”

Often times, our outlook on life has much more to do with our joy than the actual things we are doing. And it’s in those times when our circumstances are worse than what we’d hoped that we can either despise our situation or we can see it as an opportunity to do something great for God’s Kingdom.

Whatever your circumstances are today, make the choice to be about God’s purposes within them. See your situation as a mission from God and you’ll find amazing joy in any circumstance!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would transform your thinking in whatever circumstance you face to see your situation as a mission from Him.

Questions for Thought

Why do you think it’s sometimes easy to allow your circumstances to steal your joy?

How might seeing your situation today as a mission from God change your attitude?

from https://www.seniorlivingministries.org/ 

Today's Bible Verse...

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?—Matthew 6:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Worries are many and they all seem to crowd in around bill time, don't they. Jesus reminded us that life is more than food or clothes. The real question is whether we can live like life is more than food and clothing. We get deceived so easily, like Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Let's not sell out what is precious for the allure of what will most likely end in difficulty and entanglements or at the very least doesn't have eternal value.

My Prayer...

Generous Father, banish fear and selfishness from my heart. I know you have already provided the most incredible gift of all time. Please help me pursue you and your will and not the things that choke out your presence in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

Modern vs. Traditional Church by Steve Phelps

Honor God in Your Work

by Max Lucado

Heaven’s calendar has seven Sundays a week. God sanctifies each day. He conducts holy business at all hours and in all places. He uncommons the common by turning kitchen sinks into shrines, cafés into convents, and nine-to-five workdays into spiritual adventures.
Workdays? Yes, workdays. He ordained your work as something good. Before he gave Adam a wife or a child, even before he gave Adam britches, God gave Adam a job. “Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15 NASB). Innocence, not indolence, characterized the first family.

God views work worthy of its own engraved commandment: “You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest” (Exod. 34:21 NASB). We like the second half of that verse. But emphasis on the day of rest might cause us to miss the command to work: “You shall work six days.” Whether you work at home or in the marketplace, your work matters to God.

And your work matters to society. We need you! Cities need plumbers. Nations need soldiers. Stoplights break. Bones break. We need people to repair the first and set the second. Someone has to raise kids, raise cane, and manage the kids who raise Cain.

Whether you log on or lace up for the day, you imitate God. Jehovah himself worked for the first six days of creation. Jesus said, “My Father never stops working, and so I keep working, too” (John 5:17 NCV). Your career consumes half of your lifetime. Shouldn’t it broadcast God? Don’t those forty to sixty hours a week belong to him as well?

The Bible never promotes workaholism or an addiction to employment as pain medication. But God unilaterally calls all the physically able to till the gardens he gives. God honors work. So honor God in your work. “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good” (Eccles. 2:24 NASB).

Here is the big idea:

Use your uniqueness (what you do)
to make a big deal out of God (why you do it)
every day of your life (where you do it).

At the convergence of all three, you’ll find the cure for the common life: your sweet spot.


Today's Bible Verse...

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. —Philippians 4:12 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Contentment! Mmmm, I'd like to have a little of that; how about you? I find it hard to be contented about almost anything. My performance is not up to par. My weight isn't where it should be. My words were a little insensitive in the last conversation. It's even easier to slip into recognizing what we don't have financially and then pursue that. But before money, possessions, health, or any other thing can be truly enjoyed, we first have to learn that contentment is not based on our circumstances but our salvation.

My Prayer...

Almighty and generous God, you are the giver of all good gifts, so now I would like your help in finding the gift of contentment. Bless me as you choose, for I know deep in my heart that no blessing can compare to being your child and being loved and known personally by you. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

Countless Church Programs by Larry Thomas

 

 

 

Refined by Fire

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

God is always at work in our lives. Even during seasons of adversity, He wants to accomplish something powerful and good. How should this knowledge affect our response? Today's passage teaches us to choose to rejoice during difficult times. This doesn't mean we have to be happy about the hardship itself. Instead, joy comes from drawing close to the Lord and believing steadfastly that through His redemptive power, He is growing and preparing us. If your usual response to trials is anxiety, anger, or depression, the idea of having joy in the midst of a negative situation might not seem logical. However, if you look beneath the surface, you will discover that this biblical directive makes sense for several reasons.

Often, our natural reaction to pain is to run in the opposite direction, and as fast as possible. However, God wants to teach us endurance--much like a long-distance runner builds up strength in training--so that we can fully benefit from what He is doing in our hearts. He uses trials as a refining fire to purify us like gold and bring us to greater spiritual maturity. As we realize that we are actually being made more complete through our adversities, we'll begin to face challenging times with confidence that He always has our best interest in mind.

While a worldly viewpoint sees hope and joy in the midst of dark times as naïve, a spiritual perspective discerns that we're really progressing on a journey toward life at its fullest. We can be filled with supernatural joy, knowing that the Lord is making us into world-changing spiritual warriors.

From Dr. Charles Stanley & www.intouch.org.

Today's Bible Verse...

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

—Mark 10:25 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is so easy to think of ourselves as average people who are not rich. But bottom line, if we have access to a computer to read e-mail, we're richer than most of the world. Let's not let our "stuff" get in the way of our faith and compassion. God wants to help our camels get through the eye of the needle. He will, if we remember that what we have is a gift from him, and that he intends for us to use it to bless others and honor him.

My Prayer...

Tender Father, it is sometimes very hard for me not to worry some about money issues. I know that I am richly blessed and have so many advantages. But Father, I don't want to be owned by the things I possess and I don't want to be sidetracked by trying to acquire what I don't have. Please help me as I seek to be rich in kindness, generosity, and thankfulness with whatever you choose to bless me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

Christian Women Against Everything by David McGinnis

What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror?

by SHARON JAYNES

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2a (NIV)

I was in the sixth grade when I first ventured into the House of Mirrors at my hometown county fair -- a mere 12 years old. My friends and I ran from booth to booth, suckered into paying good money to play rigged games. For hours we gave cash to various carnival characters, in hopes of winning a silly prize or a cheesy piece of jewelry we’d never wear.

But of all the sideshows at the carnival, the House of Mirrors captured my attention.

We walked through maze-like halls, giggling at the distorted images. Short and stubby. Tall and lanky. I looked at the various versions of myself and tried to decide which I liked best. Deep inside, in a place no one knew existed, I longed for another version of me. I did not like the one I knew best.

I now realize women all around the world grow up with a distorted view of who they really are. They look into the mirror and see words that don’t match the truth about who God created them to be.

They look into the mirror of value and see the word worthless.

They look into the mirror of success and see the word failure.

They look into the mirror of intelligence and see the word stupid.

They look into the mirror of competence and see the word inadequate.

They look into the mirror of acceptance and see the word rejected.

They look into the mirror of confidence and see the word insecure.

They look into the mirror of comparison and see the word inferior.

They look into the mirror of performance and see the words not good enough.

They look into the mirror of sufficiency and see the words not enough ... period.

Many women live in a house of mirrors, believing distorted interpretations of who they are -- and the devil polishes that mirror of deception daily.

I know the House of Mirrors well. I grew up there. Lived there for years.

For decades, feelings of inferiority, insecurity and inadequacy held me captive to a “less-than” life. I was misshaped by others’ words interpreted by a needy little girl who just wanted to be accepted and loved.

You might expect me to say, “But then I met Jesus and all my insecurities miraculously disappeared.” Oh, I wish that were the case ... but that little insecure, lost girl grew up to become an insecure Christian woman. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-30s that I began to look into the only mirror that really matters: God’s truth.

The Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” (Romans 12:2a). Eventually, an older woman in my church told me it was time to renew my mind with the truth of who I was, what I had and where I was (my position) as a child of God. She encouraged me to make a list of my true identity. I’d read those verses scattered throughout Scripture before, but when she encouraged me to cluster them all together, God began a new work in my mind and heart.

You are a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)

  You are chosen. (Ephesians 1:11)

  You are dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12)

  You are holy. (Colossians 1:22)

These truths were right there on the pages of my Bible in black and white, and a few in red.

You are reconciled through Christ’s life. (Romans 5:10)

  You are justified by Christ’s blood. (Romans 5:9)

  You are free from condemnation through Christ’s death. (Romans 8:1)

  You have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

  You can do all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)

I knew the verses were the infallible Word of God, but I felt rather squeamish hearing them, reading them, believing them. But I had a choice to make. Was I going to believe God told the truth?

I decided that although the verses about my true identity as a child of God felt uncomfortable, I was going to believe God. And that’s what I’m challenging you to do today. Let’s decide to silence the inner critic holding us hostage. Let’s silence the lies stealing our confidence and look into the mirror of God’s truth. After all, God’s truth is the only “mirror” that matters.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I tend to believe the lies from my past rather than the truth of Scripture. Help me renew my mind with Your truth and see myself as You see me, no matter how beautiful it may be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY: 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (NIV)

John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)

Today's Bible Verse...

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. —Proverbs 25:13 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I'm not sure where you are located, but it's been blistering hot where I am. Anything cool and refreshing sounds wonderful. If you've ever worked a harvest and gotten the dust, plant fragments, and sweat up under your shirt, you know how refreshing a cool glass of water is to your parched throat and a shower is for your sticky body. But God says that when we are trustworthy messengers for each other and for him, it is even better refreshment than a cool drink on a hot tiring day. So how have you been doing with the Master's message lately? Shared his love? Told of his grace? Demonstrated his kindness? Let's get busy refreshing our Lord by blessing others with his Gospel!

My Prayer...

Forgive me, heavenly Father, when I am untrustworthy with your message or ashamed of showing my allegiance to you and your Gospel. Give me wisdom to demonstrate and communicate your love, mercy, grace, and character to those around me. May my words and actions today bring you refreshment and glory! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

 

Church Calendar Too Full by Wendell Simons

 

A Prayer for When You Need a Reset in Faith and Life

By Jennifer Waddle
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

Have you ever been going strong...for days, weeks, and even months, until one day you realize you’re not? You wonder of it’s just a slump or a phase or a hormonal spike, then admit it’s not going away...whatever it is.

To utter the words, “I think I need a reset,” can be scary.

But what if?

What if God, in all of His Sovereignty, leads us to those vulnerable places? What if all along, He is allowing us to run out of steam so that we will finally...stop?

What if a “reset” is exactly what you need? And what does that really mean? I found some interesting descriptions of what it means to reset something. Here are a few of them.

• to set back to the initial state
• to set anew
• to adjust again after an initial failure

How different would our lives be if we asked God to set things anew and sincerely meant it? Would our daily routines look the same? Would our attitudes remain as they are?

If you are sensing from the Holy Spirit that you need a real and lasting change in heart and mind, I encourage you to spend some unhurried time in that secret, quiet place, where you can meet with God. Our own Savior met with the Father in prayer, and prayed for all of us who are kept by Him. And in that prayer, He was specific about the things needed to live in this world but not be “of” it.

“Lord, I long for those moments early in my faith when I felt your closeness, your joy, your energy and zest for life. I confess that the daily grind has ground down my passion for you. I confess that I allow the cares of the world to choke out the joy of the gospel. Lord, turn my heart toward you again. Fix my eyes on you, fix my heart on you. Help me have a reset in my faith and in my life, starting today. Renew my heart, renew my life for you and your ways. Help me see the daily routines of life as moments to gracefully submit to your will. Thank you for being the Lord of my life everyday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Today's Bible Verse...

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."—John 6:68 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When Jesus asked his disciples if they would leave him like everyone else had, Peter's response is powerful and great. He knew where truth originated! He had heard the voice on the Mountain saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; listen to him!" He had seen Jesus' words change reality and destroy barriers to God's love and truth. Indeed, he knew that there was no one else who had the words of eternal life! So who are you listening to?

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for making Jesus so accessible to me. Jesus helps me see the full extent of your love. Jesus helps me more completely understand your message about wanting to redeem me and make me your own. I want to always come to Jesus for truth, grace, refreshment, and hope. There is no other one that I want to be my Lord except my crucified Savior, Jesus. Today, Father, gently confront me in those areas where I have yet to fully yield to your Son's lordship in my life. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

Choosing a Bible Study by Chance by Rob Suggs

 

 

The Whole Truth

by Pastor Greg Laurie

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 1:22–23nlt)

One of the complaints against the church has often been about the hellfire-and-brimstone preachers. People say they don’t like that kind of preaching.

My question is where are they? When is the last time you heard a hellfire-and-brimstone preacher? When I watch preachers on television, I can’t remember the last time I saw that type of guy, much less a mention of Hell.

We have to tell the whole truth. I know there is a discomfort concerning the topic of Hell, but the Bible deals with this subject. Therefore, we need to take a hard and careful look at it. A lot more people are going to Hell than are going to Heaven, because Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way” (Matthew 7:13 nlt).

Yes, the gospel is good news. But we can’t fully appreciate the good news until we first understand the bad news. The bad news is that we are separated from God by our sin. We are headed to Hell, and there is no way we can resolve our own problem. The good news is that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, on a rescue operation to die on the cross in our place and atone for our sin. And if we will turn from our sin and believe in Him, we can be forgiven and know with certainty that we will go to Heaven when we die.

We hold in our hands the key to the prison door that nonbelievers are in. We have the solution, and it’s the gospel. There needs to be an urgency on our part to reach people who are headed to Hell.

Today's Bible Verse...

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. —John 6:66 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This verse haunts me. Not just because of the three numbers in the reference, but because it is a great reminder that many folks simply gave up following Jesus when things became hard to understand. When he shattered their preconceived notions of religious things, when he confronted them about their motives, they went away. What will I do when things get difficult in my discipleship and I can't figure out all the answers to what is going on? I hope, I pray, I trust that I will follow until the way and the will of the Lord become more clear!

My Prayer...

Awesome God, I confess openly that I cannot begin to understand all the complexities of your will and the way you work in our world. But Father, when I'm confused, please bring people into my life who will help me hang on to my faith until the confusion passes. And today, dear Father, please use me to help bless someone who is struggling with his or her faith. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen. 

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

KJV for a KJV Man by Larry Thomas

Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

By Rick Warren

“Start with God -- the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning” (Proverbs 1:7 The Message).

Have you noticed that the moment you establish a goal in your life, you start hearing people say, “Who do you think you are” or “It can’t be done” or “Forget about it”?

The antidote to the voices of doubt is to instead listen to the voice of God. Just imagine all the critics that were in Noah’s life. “That guy Noah thinks God speaks to him, but he’s just messing up all of our property values by building that ark in his front yard.”

The Bible tells us that Noah listened to God. And what did he hear? He heard God’s warning that the world was going to be destroyed. He believed what he had not yet seen. That’s what faith is -- being certain of something we don’t see.

Noah didn’t turn away from the vision God had given him. Instead, he built the ark.

God is going to give you a goal for your life, and some people may think it’s pretty crazy. But you have to stay focused on what you know God has said through his Word, the Bible. Then, you have to go build your ark!

Today's Bible Verse...

Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."—Mark 9:30-31 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. But his strongest teaching on discipleship occurs away from the crowds, when he is alone with his disciples. What the crowds are able to accept is not enough to call mature disciples to that next level in their walk with the Savior. So Jesus withdrew for intensive teaching with a small group of committed disciples so he could mature them and make them ready for future challenges.

My Prayer...

Holy God, please bless the people in my Bible study group and all those everywhere that are seeking to follow you no matter the cost. Please lead me to a small group of believers with whom I can share my life and through whom you will challenge me to grow in my surrender to the Lordship of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

 

Too Old for Young Adult Study  by Doug Hall

 

 

 

 

 

BUT I'M JUST SO ORDINARY

One Wednesday night, I asked my congregation some questions:
1. How many of you played Division 1 college athletics?  No hands went up.
2. How many of you were valedictorian of your class?  Four hands went up. (I have a smart church!)
3. How many of you were voted most likely to succeed?  A couple of hands went up.
4. How many were voted most beautiful or most handsome?  No hands went up, except mine.  (I was runner-up most handsome in 9th grade, but I was home schooled.)
5. How many of you were in Who's Who?  A couple more hands went up.
6. How many of you have not raised your hand yet?  A ton of hands went up.
You know what that test proved?  It proved that the vast majority of God's people are just ordinary folks.  They are NOT extraordinary.  They are just ordinary.  
ORDINARY PEOPLE
Jesus chose 12 disciples - ordinary men.  His inner circle consisted of Peter, James, and John.  They were fishermen, not physicists.  They were "uneducated and untrained men" (Acts 4:13).  They were ordinary, not extraordinary.  And that is precisely the way the Lord likes it!
"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God" (1 Cor. 1:26-29). 
Notice this verse says, "NOT MANY."  It does not say, "NOT ANY."  There are some in God's family that are extra special individuals in the areas of wisdom, might, and nobility.  Paul was the chief of sinners, but he had a keen mind unlike any of the other apostles.  He could run circles around Peter intellectually.  His pedigree was stellar.  But, when you stop to think about it, most of God's people are like Peter, not Paul.  They are just regular, ordinary folks.  (The elite of this world tend to be far too proud to humble themselves before Jesus of Nazareth and admit their desperate need.) 
WHY CHOOSE THE ORDINARY?  
You know one of the BIG reasons why the Lord chooses the ordinary? Because He loves to do extraordinary things through ordinary people.  When you see extraordinary things take place through ordinary people, all the glory goes to God.  It just HAS to be God because an ordinary person can't pull off something that extraordinary!  
When young David whipped the Giant, Goliath, with a sling shot and a stick, all the glory went to God.  How else could he have won?  It MUST be God!  If the New Orleans Saints whip the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, it is one champion versus another champion -- one extraordinary team versus another.  But if my town's Pleasant Grove seventh grade B team whips the Colts, people would say in amazement, "WOW!  That MUST be from God."  
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED
If you are ordinary, you are in the majority.  If you are sometimes foolish, often weak, and deemed unimportant in the eyes of the world, REJOICE!!  God can do His greatest, most impressive work through you.  Yield to Him today.  Let Jesus sit on the throne of your life and live through you.  You will be amazed at the difference He will make.  
And remember in your weaknesses, He says, "My grace is enough for you; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9 AMP).      
Praise God for your weaknesses.  Praise God that you are ordinary.  He does His best work in ordinary people!  Let Him start in you today.

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

Today's Bible Verse...

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.—Jeremiah 31:25 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In the overwhelming, hair-raising, and depressing prophecies of Jeremiah, God repeatedly told his people he would destroy them for their obstinate and hardened hearts. Yet in the middle of these powerful and scorching warnings, God also slips in passages that soar with hope and grace. Can you think of anything more reassuring than God's promise to "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint"? For seventy years, that's all Israel had — God's promise. But when the time came, God made good on his word. I believe he will do the same with us today!

My Prayer...

Great Shepherd, I am tired and weary. Please refresh my Spirit and my body. Please help me find satisfaction in the abundance you have already so graciously shared with me. To you belongs all glory, honor, strength and power. I joyously submit myself in faith, waiting for the rest and satisfaction you have promised. 

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

If Churches Were Totally Honest by Rob Portlock