Archive for April, 2009

« Older Entries

God’s Strategy

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Who can understand God’s ways? Who can comprehend His ways of doing things, of accomplishing His purposes? Not I. Neither could Gideon, but he obeyed divine instructions anyway.

Judges 7:1-8:17 tell a most amazing story of Gideon’s victory, achieved in a way that boggles the imagination. Based on smart human strategy, he’d gathered an army of 32,000 men in preparation for attacking the Midianites. And what did God tell him to do? Whittle ‘em down!

Gideon obeyed. He told all who were frightened to go home. Only 10,000 remained. And what did God say then? “There are still too many!” If I’d been wearing Gideon’s sandals, my stomach might have turned into knots by that time. But Gideon did as God said, and his army dwindled to 300.

Man’s strategies would have said Gideon was out of his mind to think he could win the battle with so few warriors. But God had other plans. He wanted the situation to look impossible so the Israelites wouldn’t grow self-sufficient. He wanted them to know beyond any doubt that He was their strength, and they could fully rely on Him for the victory.

Over the past year, I’ve really been challenged to evaluate my way of doing things re: book marketing. Human strategy tells me that there are certain things I must do to be successful. While I agree with taking responsibility as I can, I am more and more convinced that I need to seek God’s face on every step along the way, asking Him for His direction. Are there strategies I’ve bought into simply because they make sense or because everyone else is doing them? It’s a fine line. But bottom line – I’d much rather do things as God says rather than as man dictates, even if it seems absurd.

How about you? Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something that seemed absurd compared to man’s logic?

Tags: , ,
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »

The Mighty Hero

Monday, April 27th, 2009

When I speak about the fear of inadequacy, I often refer to Moses as a prime Scriptural example. But move over, Moses! Make room for your friend Gideon. Judges 6 tells how Gideon was threshing grain in the winepress to avoid being caught by the marauding Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. “Mighty hero!” he said. “The Lord is with you!”

Mighty hero?

I wonder if Gideon did a double-take. In any case, the Lord then gave him a special mission: “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

I’ll bet our mighty hero did more than a simple double-take when he heard those words. Perhaps Gideon nearly choked before stammering, “But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”

Can you see his knees quake? Can you hear his voice tremble? The fear of inadequacy had nearly consumed our friend. Who me? I can’t do what You’re asking me to. I’m the least of the weakest. Please, choose someone else.

I love God’s simple response: “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

That’s the same promise God gave to Joshua and Moses, and more. “I will be with you. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. Just go in the strength you have and do what I’ve called you to do. I will be with you, and that’s all you need.”

Are you facing a God-given task or dream that looks utterly impossible? So impossible, in fact, that you hesitate even mentioning it to a friend lest you look like a lunatic? So impossible that you’ve brushed it off as a crazy thought, one that’s not worth pursuing lest you erase anyone’s doubts about your mental well-being or lack thereof?

If it’s God-breathed, then do it. Take the first step. Believe God for the impossible. Go ahead, be a mighty hero.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | 1 Comment »

Reluctant Warriors

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

You know what baffles me? That God invites humans to participate with Him in building His kingdom. Does He really need our help? I doubt it – He can do anything He chooses whenever He chooses in whatever manner He chooses. Why He entrusts us with such a responsibility and allows us the privilege to partner with Him is beyond me, but clearly He wants us to be actively involved in some way.

This morning I read about the battle involving Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army. Judges 5:13-15 speaks of various tribes of people marching down against the mighty warriors. But then the tone changes. Verses 15b-17 say, “But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds – to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? In the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Gilead remained east of the Jordan. And Dan, why did he stay home? Asher sat unmoved at the seashore, remaining in his harbors. But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the battlefield.”

It’s clear that God wanted the people’s involvement in fighting this battle. Some, like the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, chose to go; others chose to stay. What kept the latter from participating?

  • Indecision
  • Complacency – contented with the norm
  • Fear – remaining in the harbors where it was safe
  • Maybe even laziness? – sitting unmoved at the seashore

Verse 23 really grabs me: “‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Let them be utterly cursed because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.’”

Again – did God really need the people’s help in fighting this battle? I don’t think so. But He wanted their participation. He wanted them to get involved.

There’s a spiritual battle going on in the world today. Satan is striving to steal and destroy  every man, woman, and child. God could wipe him out in a heartbeat. That time will come, but until then, we’re to go to battle. What’s stopping us? Indecision? Complacency? Fear? Maybe even laziness? I pray not!

“God, grant us eyes to see the world as You see it. Make us aware of the battle that rages to humanity’s souls. Give us Your fervor, Your passion for the lost. Grant us the courage to get involved wherever You direct us to go. May it not be said about us that we did not come to help You fight against the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »

Avoid the Traps!

Friday, April 24th, 2009

I must admit – I often go from day to day without ever giving Jesus’ imminent return a second thought. While I know it’s going to happen (by the looks of things, it may be sooner than later) I seem to race through life with no serious consideration that it could be TODAY!

Luke 21:34-36 gives some advice regarding how I ought to view Christ’s second coming: “Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Here’s what I find particularly interesting. There are three states in which Christ warns us not to fall before He returns.

Careless ease. Call it apathy if you want. An attitude of not really caring about eternal things. Just sloppin’ one’s way through life without direction or purpose.

Drunkenness. Have you ever watched a drunk stagger down a sidewalk and onto a road? He’s unaware of what’s going on around him and clueless as to the danger he’s in. Has fallen into bad company. His future looks bleak.

Filled with the worries of this life. Held hostage with fear and the “what-ifs.” Unable to press forward into the good things that God has planned because fear has wrapped its chains around this person’s heart and mind.

“Don’t let Me catch you living like that!” Jesus warned His audience. The same warning holds true today. God forbid that Christ returns to find us useless due to apathy, sold out to our own desires and addictions, or filled with worry.

Interesting combo, eh? Imagine lumping drunkenness in the same box as worry. Neat and tidy Christianity wouldn’t think of getting drunk, but worry somehow falls into a more sanctified category if we call it concern. Obviously, Jesus didn’t agree.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

Manmade Monuments

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Imagine the disciples standing outside the Temple and discussing its architectural beauty. “Wow – would ya look at those columns?” said one. The others followed his gaze and nodded. “This rock work is amazing, simply amazing,” said another. “These construction workers were masters in their field.” And so the conversation went…until Jesus entered the picture and grasped this teachable moment with His followers.

Here’s what the Scripture says about this scene: “Some of his disciples began talking about the beautiful stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, ‘The time is coming when all these things will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another’” (Luke 21:5,6).

As I travel through Eastern Europe, I see massive stone cathedrals. They’re incredible works of art, designed and built by people with creative imaginations and skill beyond my comprehension. These structures are magnificent to behold. Some are hundreds of years old. They’ve endured centuries of sun, rain, wind, and snow. Some have even suffered bombings and undergone reconstruction as a result. They’ve done well, but their days of glory are coming to an end. When Jesus returns, all manmade monuments will crumble and fall.

Cathedral in Kosice, Slovakia

Cathedral in Kosice, Slovakia

Herein lies a teachable moment for us. What manmade monuments might be captivating us? Money? Reputation? Our physical appearance? Earthly possessions? Ministry success?  Sadly, for some churches today, a physical building becomes an object of worship rather than a tool for worship. We must be careful to remember that the tangible, and sometimes intangible, things we find so appealing now will someday perish. Jesus Himself says: “The time is coming when all these things will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another.”

Let’s be sure to keep our focus not on what’s temporal and will be demolished someday, but on what’s eternal!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

One Little Word Says it All

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Have you ever thought about the significance of the word all? It has only three letters, but it carries huge significance. For instance, take a look at Joshua 21:43-22:5.

  • The Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors (v. 43).
  • The Lord helped them conquer all their enemies (v. 44).
  • All of the good promises that the Lord had given Israel came true (v. 45).
  • Joshua commanded the Israelites to be very careful to obey all the commands and the law that Moses had given them (v. 5).
  • Joshua commanded the Israelites to love the Lord their God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him, and serve him with all their heart and all their soul (22:5).

As I read this passage, I circled the word all so I could grasp its significance. What did I learn? For starters, the Lord doesn’t leave a job half-finished, nor is He a God who commits half-hearted to His people. He fulfilled all His promises and defeated all the Israelites’ enemies.

Because He never changes, I can count on Him to defeat all my enemies and fulfill all His promises to me today, too. I can expect that from Him because of who He is. So what does He expect from me? An obedient heart to obey all His commands, and a commitment to love Him with all my heart and all my soul. (If I truly love Him like that, then obedience shouldn’t be so hard, should it?).

It’s a two-way, totally committed relationship. The Lord is wholly devoted to us, and His longing is for us to return that devotion without reservation. Nothing half-hearted here! Are we ready for commitment to that degree? We ought to be, considering all that Jesus has done for us.

“God, thank You for giving Yourself to us completely. Please give us hearts to love You without reservation in return. Amen.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »

I Wanna be Like Caleb!

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Caleb is one of my all-time favorite OT characters. When Moses appointed him and 11 other men to spy out the Promised Land, he and Joshua were the only two who came back with a “Let’s go for it!” attitude. The others focused on the challenges and bred fear into the Israelites. As a result, the people disobeyed God and ended up wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years.

Joshua 14:7-14 tells it all. Caleb was a man of wisdom and courage. A man firm in his belief and behavior, unswayed by the fearful and faithless who surrounded him. What set him apart? Look at v. 7,8 – “I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave from my heart a good report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the Lord my God completely.”

Caleb followed the Lord completely. He’d embraced Him as his God, worshiping nothing else above Him. He saw the same challenges as his co-spies did when they surveyed the Promised Land, but he viewed them through God’s command and promise. He knew God was bigger than any obstacle they faced, and he trusted Him to give them victory. He followed God alone, not his feelings or the negative report made by the other spies.

I wanna be like Caleb. When presented with a challenge or seeming impossibility, I want to operate according to God’s truth, not according to what others say or feel. I want my life to exemplify rock-solid faith in an all-powerful God. I want to follow the Lord my God completely, and to encourage others to do the same. Let it never be said that I frightened others and discouraged them from pursuing God’s plans for them because of my feeble faith. Rather, let it be said that I wholeheartedly followed the Lord.

Is this your prayer, too?

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

Honey From the Rock

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Whew-jet lag hit me hard this time. Coupled with a bronchial bug that I caught on the way home, I’ve been laid low for a couple of days. Doing much better today, though. Eager to get back to my office again!

Hey, how cool is this? I’m today’s featured author at www.interviewsandreviews.blogspot.com.

Check it out! Now, on to the devotional….

The last blog entry spoke about the feast that God has prepared for those who want a share in His kingdom. There are several verses in the Psalms that speak to the same theme. Take Psalm 81:10 for example: “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.” And Psalm 81:16: “But I would feed you with the best of foods, I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”

There’s no doubt that God has spiritual delicacies planned for us. And yet, speaking personally, I sometimes feel like He’s out to starve me, to complicate my life, to prevent me from being fulfilled. I think I know what’s best – if only God would see things my way! I forget that He wants to feed me with the finest and satisfy me completely. Have you ever felt that way?

Trusting that God really wants to fill us with good things and to satisfy us with honey from the rock isn’t always easy. Why not? Because it all boils down to our understanding of who He is, and sometimes that’s sorely lacking.  For instance, how much do we really comprehend His sacrificial love for us? How much do we really understand His wisdom and sovereignty in our lives? Do we really believe that He knows best, and that He’s able to turn even the ugly into something of beauty for those who love Him? If we claim to know and trust Him, our mouths should be stretched wide, wider, even wider as we wait expectantly for Him to feed us.

What hinders us from being filled with the good things God promises? It’s clear but painful: “My people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their blind and stubborn way, living according to their own desires” (vv. 11,12).

Ouch! Speaking personally again, my own desires often get in the way. I want to satisfy myself with what I think is best, but God in His goodness has better things in store. How about you? Can you relate to what I’m saying?

“God, forgive us for following our blind and stubborn way and for living according to our own desires. Change our hearts and teach us to trust You with our entire being. Grant us the faith to open our mouths wide so You can fill them with good things. Feed us, Father, with the best of foods. Satisfy us with honey from the rock. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

RSVP to God’s Invitation

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Luke 14:15 says, “Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, ‘What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!’”

Jesus responds with the story of a man who prepares a great feast and sends out many invitations. When the preparations were complete, the man sent his servant to notify the guests that it was time to come. Sadly, each had an excuse. In the end (v. 24), Jesus says, “For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.”

This passage leapt off the page at me. Every day, we’re given opportunities to participate in building the kingdom of God. This might happen by writing a letter of encouragement to a grieving widow who lives down the street or in our community, by sharing our time with women in crisis at the local pregnancy center, or by giving money to help a student pay for Bible college tuition or send a child to a Christian summer camp. Perhaps the invitation to share in God’s kingdom comes in the form of using one’s spiritual gifts in public, or participating in a short-term ministry trip.

Partnering with God in building His kingdom may not always feel comfortable. Sometimes it’s downright scary. Most often, we feel stretched beyond our capabilities. We’re afraid of failure, of appearing inadequate, of looking like an idiot. We’re concerned about how we might appear to others, and whether or not the details will fall into place. When we focus on those things, we lose the joy that’s ours when we simply say yes to God.

God invites us to join Him. When we say yes, we experience a spiritual feast that defies imagination. We see Him provide whatever’s necessary for the task. We experience His enabling. We know the joy that comes from obedience.

When we make excuses, we deny ourselves that spiritual banquet. We miss out on even the smallest taste of what God has prepared for us. Why would we choose to RSVP with an excuse – “I don’t have time” or “I don’t have the finances” or “I’m not gifted for that type of ministry” – when the Holy One, the Creator of the Universe, has invited us to share in His kingdom?

“Oh God, fill our hearts with a greater understanding of who You are. Grow our understanding of Your character, of Your greatness, of Your majesty. Fill us with a sensitivity to Your Holy Spirit and to His nudges. Thank You for inviting us to a share in Your Kingdom. Give us the courage to say yes to that invitation, and no to excuses that would hinder us from the feast You’ve prepared. Amen.”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

« Older Entries