Desert of Despair

Verse of the day: Psalm 63:1 [ Joy in the Fellowship of God ] [ A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ] O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

This Psalm is attributed to King David, and may have taken place during one of the times he was forced to run for his life, when being pursued by King Saul or during the rebellion of his son, Absalom. There were times in David's life when, even though he was God's chosen king, he was forced to flee. Saul's jealousy raged against him, and he sought to kill David. Later in his life, and as a consequence for his sin with Bathsheba, David had to flee once again, because his son had rebelled against him, and tried to take his throne. King David was a man of God. Even God called him a man after God's own heart. Yet, he suffered many trials. Regardless of these trials, and persecutions, David did not doubt God's strength or ability to protect him, and see him through the difficult times. He continued to seek after God, thirst after Him, and worship Him. Today, when we find ourself in a desert of loneliness, anxiety, and frustration, our God is with us, fills the void, gives us strength, and is the Living Water we need when we thirst. He never forsakes us, and therefore, as His children, we must continue to worship Him, seek after Him, and trust Him completely to see us through. Like King David, let us find joy, peace, and complete satisfaction, in our God. Especially in those moments when we may find ourself forced to run to the wilderness; for our God is with us, even in the desolate places we sometimes find ourself. He promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.

Come and See

Verse of the day: John 1:39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

"Come and see." That was Jesus' response to two of the first disciples to follow after Him. Right from beginning Jesus was testing their faith, for they had asked Him where He was living, as they desired to be with Him, go where He was going, and stay where He was staying. In spite of Jesus not really answering their question, they chose to follow, not knowing where they were going or where they would end up. Often, that is how we are called to follow Jesus, without really knowing where we are going or where we'll end up. We don't always know the outcome or consequences for the things we choose under His guidance, and direction. He calls us to trust Him for the outcome of every situtaion He guides us through. He may even lead us to do something that goes completely against what everyone else would do or even agree with. However, living for God, living the truth, and truly following Jesus, is not going to always sit right with others. The bottom line is that following Jesus is never dull, if we are truly willing to follow. It will be the greatest challange of our life, as following Him is simple, but not always easy, because it requires faith, and trusting Him completely. Remember, we have a greater advantage over the disciples. They did not know where Jesus was taking them. For us, as born again believers, we at least know our destination...eternity in Heaven, with our Savior.

Would you like Bread with that?

Verse of the day: John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

What is a good meal without good bread to tie it together? I cannot even imagine having a good pasta dish without bread. A cup of hot coffee without a buttered roll (like I had so many times growing up). Point being that there are many meals that are not completely unless you have some good bread to go with it. This what I think of when I think of the Bread of Life. Life without Jesus (the Bread of life) is not life at all. Both in this instance, and in chapter 4 (the Samaritan woman), those who sought the bread, and water, Jesus offered, only wanted it to satisfy an earthly, and selfish desire; when what He was offering them was the true Bread, and Water, that is eternal, Jesus Himself. Jesus made this statement, calling the people out on their selfish reasons for following Him. In chapter 2 of John, many followed, but only because they saw the miracles. In chapter 4, the Samaritan woman desired the water so that she wouldn't have to return to the well (avoiding others, because of her reputation), and here in chapter 6 Jesus had just recently fed the multitude using just a few loaves & fish. Sadly, too many today follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. Selfish reasons. Just like a good piece of bread completes a meal, Jesus is the only One who can complete life. When we eat of the Bread of life, and truly commit our life to Him, we will no longer hunger or thirst for the empty things this world offers (the empty calories). When we labor, by reading, studying, and serving Jesus faithfully, we will always be satisfied with whatever He chooses for our life. The Bread of life gives us just that, life, and life more abundantly. What are you hungering, and thirsting, after? If it is anything or anyone other than Jesus, then this one thing I know for sure; you are starving yourself. Eat of the only Bread that is truly satisfying, and you'll never hunger for anything or anyone else; and just like the feeding of the multitude, there is as much Bread as we want, and for as many as come to Him. So let's not be afraid or bashful to share this Bread with as many others as we can.

Threaten me with Heavenly Reward

Verse of the day: Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus was called a Samaritan, a devil; told He was mad, mocked and reviled on the cross; yet, He never returned same. Yes, our Savior, the only Perfect Man to walk this earth, was mistreated, called names, made fun of, and falsely accused, because He was righteous, lived righteously, and refused to follow the ways of the world. He did not change the way He dressed or the way He talked. He did not use language that was unbecoming of the Gospel. He did none of these things to "fit in" or "win" people over for the sake of the Gospel. Instead, He lived the life that His Father sent Him here to live, and ultimately give His life, for our sake, in order to pay for our sins, and purchase for us eternal life. With all that said, let us stop, look in the mirror, and ask ourself, "How am I doing in comparison?" "Am I looking like the rest of the world, and compromising who I am supposed to be, just so that people won't talk about me, reject me, and say things about me that aren't true?" "Am I acting like the world, and deceiving myself into thinking that this is how I'll win them?" Well, if the answering to any or all of these is, "Yes", then something must change, right now. As born again believers, there are certain things we can do, that are not sinful to do (such as celebrating certain holidays or going to certain events, such as family gatherings, weddings, etc.) that we can partake in, and that can present opportunities to share Christ with family, and friends. However, we are called to live holy, and separated lives (meaning that we not behave as the world does). That means that our manner of behavior, our language, and how we treat others (regardless of who they are or what they have done to us) should be different than how the world does it. We are supposed to, as time goes on, become more and more like Jesus in who we are. Just as He suffered many things because of who He was, we too should expect the same, and be willing to suffer, if necessary, as He did, for His sake, and the sake of the Gospel. Ultimately, we will receive reward, in Heaven, that far exceeds anything that this world has to offer. Remember what Jesus' end was? After being received with cries of, "Hosanna!", He was later put to death with the cries of, "Crucify Him!" Yes, the very people whom we seek favor from, and deny our Savior for, may be the very people who betray us, hurt us, insult us, and forsake us. It is better to suffer for a short while, for Jesus sake, than to forfeit rewards that will last for eternity. Let us live for Jesus, and leave the consequences to Him. Not only will He reward us in Heaven, but He will never leave us nor forsake us here on earth.

Carry One Another's Burden

Verse of the day: Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

In its context this verse reminds us that we ought to seriously stop, and consider, how we handle another brother/sister in Christ when they have stumbled in their walk with Jesus. If the Lord allows us to find out about another's sin, we are called to restore them (v.1). Did you catch that? I didn't say judge them, or condemn them. I said, restore them. There is a process by which we are to approach the sinning believer with humility, only after we have examined ourself, and realized that we too are sinners saved by grace. When we come to that realization, we are then to approach with a mindset to help, and to find a way to restore him/her, and help carry the burden of their failure; maybe through accountability or Bible study, together. We, as born again believer's would have greater success in our walk if we learned to encourage each other, rather than cut each other down, when we fall victim to sin, and our own flesh. This is not to say that we not call sin what it is. However, the Word of God is clear that the wrath of man does nothing, zero, to promote the righteousness of God. Yet, that seems to be the preferred method of believers when dealing with others that stumble in their walk. We are called to approach with a mindset of restoration, done in love (fulfilling the law of Christ), as pointed out in this verse. Verse 5 of this chapter ties this idea together nicely, as it reminds us that we too have our own burden to carry. It is supposed to serve as a reminder that we are not perfect, and just as our neighbor has their burden, we too have ours, and should be the last person to condemn or turn our back on someone else. For the day may, more than likely, come when we too will need help carrying our burden. The verses in this chapter (which would do us all well to read) are a reminder of our need for unity in the body of Christ, and how much we really need each other. Just as we are called to confess to one another, we are called to help one another, especially during our times of personal struggles. If we did this, we would have the opportunities (as stated in verse 10) to do good unto all men, especially those belonging to God's family. We would have less born again believer's who feel lonely, and abandoned, by the brethren. We would have believer's that would stand together, and not be afraid to confess their faults, their sins, knowing that instead of being received with a judgmental attitude, they'll be received in love, and with an attitude of restoration. The bottom line being that our enemy, the devils, would no longer be able to keep us in isolation, hiding our sin, and being silently, and privately, tormented, until we quietly fade away. Ever stop and wonder if that brother or sister we haven't seen or heard from in a while hasn't been seen because they are struggling with something they are too ashamed to talk about; mainly because of how it'll be received or how they will be treated? We are called to not just call sin what it is, but we are also called to love, restore, and strengthen one another, just as Christ does for each, and every single, one of us.

Live Free!

Verse of the day: Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Freedom. True freedom. There is nothing like it. Now most people have this misunderstanding that freedom mean doing anything we want. However, doing anything we want brings both good, and bad, consequences. That is why a country that is truly free still has a set of laws in place. Wait. How is that freedom? Let me explain. Before Jesus came, and gave His life, as payment for our sins, we were prisoners to the law. Why? Because not one person alive, then, and even now, could keep all the law. Therefore, if we broke even one, we are guilty of all. When we call upon Jesus, and accept His free gift of eternal life, we are immediately declared "not guilty" before the Father, and the chain (bondage) of the Law is broken. We now have liberty from the Law, and sin, because of the blood of Jesus. We are free to choose life, and liberty, but we can also choose bondage. Wait. Who would choose bondage after being set free. Well, we would, and we do, each day, on two different levels. When we choose to set up a legalistic lifestyle filled with do's and don't's, we set up our jail cell. When we return to a life of sin, practicing the things we were saved from, we set up our prison house. So how do we live out, and enjoy, our liberty in Christ? Love. Stand fast in love. Love God with all that we are, and love our neighbor as ourself. When we truly love someone we avoid doing the things toward them that are hateful, and harmful. We do our best to avoid offenses, and instead do those things which are profitable, kind, and honoring to God. Even Jesus said that if we love Him, we'll keep His commandments. You see, when God commands us to do something or avoid doing the other, it is because what He commands us to do keeps us from being enslaved to the consequences of wicked actions. It keeps us from having to constantly look over our shoulders; and though it may not keep us from being persecuted by the world (because it hates God, and righteousness), it does keep us in a place of peace, joy, and contentment. That, my brothers, and sisters, is true liberty. When we choose obedience, and righteousness, voluntarily, because the love of Jesus is driving us; nothing will compare to that kind of liberty.

There is always an opportunity...

Verse of the day: Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

How often is "as we have opportunity"? "As often as we can"; not "as often as we think". There is a difference. God will quite often provide us with more opportunities to do good than we are really willing to perform. Why? Because we allow certain factors to keep us from taking advantage of those opportunities. Such as, we may not l...ike the person. The timing may be inconvenient for our agenda at the moment. Maybe that person is the type of person who won't be able or may not want to return the favor. It could be that they are ungrateful. Maybe it's the last bit of whatever it is we have, and we might need it for ourself later. Whatever the reason, we sometimes find some way to convince ourself that we should hold back. Well, God tells us that we are to do good every chance we get, especially if it involves another born again believer. Even if we don't like them or get along with them. Yes, sadly, there are Christians that do not get along or like each other. Nonetheless, Jesus did tell us that the world will know that we belong to Him by the way we love each other. We are called to do good to others regardless of whether or not they are capable or even desire to do the same for us. Jesus was selfless in how He ministered, and healed, others. He even died for those who still reject Him even today. He expects the same from us, especially when it comes to the family of God. We are called to sacrifice for the sake of others, and even told to do good to those who do evil to us. We are to love, and pray for, our enemies, and those who use us. Yes, that is correct. We are to do good, even in moments when it is contrary to what our flesh desires. Let us take up our cross today. Let us sacrifice self to do good to others. Let us purposely seek out opportunities to do good, especially if the recipient is a brother/sister in Christ.