Trusting in the Name of the Lord

By David Speas

Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 20 has to be one of my favorite psalms.  If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read it yourself.  For the impatient, here’s a sample:

     May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
     May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
     May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
     May he remember all your offerings and regad with favor your                          burnt sacrifices! (1-3)

Much like we might say, "Stay safe!," or, "Good luck!," when parting from friends of family, the people of David’s day would often speak blessings over those for whom they cared.  Partially, it demonstrated affection.  But, more than that, it was a means of challenging others to trust in God.

We see this most pointedly in verse 7.  It states, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (ESV)

Remember, these were the days before airplanes and tanks.  There were no semi-automatic rifles or hand grenades.  You couldn’t launch nukes from submarines or rain down fire from F-22s.  The most advanced weaponry of their day was equine in nature.  Horses were their tanks.  They were faster, more intimidating, and more agile than foot soldiers.  Whoever possessed the most was practically guaranteed victory.

That’s what makes the psalmist’s statement so profound.  David, a man of war himself, says,  "Some people may choose to place their faith in chariots. Some may choose to look to horses.  But not us.  We’re going to place our trust in the name of God!"

I hope that REVIVE 2021 has been beneficial to you.  I hope it has encouraged, challenged, and blessed you.  But more than these, I hope it has reminded you of where your victory lies.

In a world scrambling for answers, our hope is still in the Lord.

Yes, some people may choose to trust in chariots, or vaccines, or stimulus, or whatever.  But for the Christian, that's not where our hope lies.  We will trust in the Lord!

And that’s an act of the will.  It’s a daily surrender to God.  It’s a choice to find our salvation and peace and comfort in Him.  Much like you’ve learned to lay aside you wants and preferences during this season of fasting, you must continue to choose to place your confidence in God.

And so, to close REVIVE 2021, I’d like to pray a blessing over you.

     May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
     May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
     May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
     May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your                        burnt sacrifices! (Verses 1-3)

     Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we [WILL] trust in the              name of the Lord our God. (Verse 7)

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 21 & Psalm 20.

King of Kings

by Kristen Robinson

Psalm 97:1 - The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Revelations 17:14 - They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. 

Today’s scripture readings hold some beautiful truths for today - the first detailing Jesus’ resurrection and the second proclaiming our God as King of all. Today our country is preparing to install a new president. I promise not to delve into politics, but I think it’s important to acknowledge that there are a lot of powerful opinions, thoughts and feelings on our minds this week. We are seeing and experiencing things we are still striving to understand and work through. No matter our political leanings, I’m sure we can all agree that tensions are higher this go around. Which is why I think the today’s scripture passages are well-timed. 

Our reading in Psalm 97 begins, “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice,” with other translations also interpreting this verse as, “The Lord is King! Let the earth rejoice!” What an awesome reminder of Who is truly in charge. There have been many nations and many rulers, but only One has ultimate control. In Ephesians 1:20-21, we read, “He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” God the Father raised Jesus from the dead to be in authority “not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Jesus reigns now and forever, and His plans are for us, not against us. 

Earlier this month, I found myself reading through Exodus and focusing on Moses and his encounter with the burning bush. As you remember in this passage, the Lord speaks to Moses through a bush that is on fire but is not consumed by the flames. He tells Moses that He has heard the cries of His people and instructs him to go back to Egypt and demand that the Israelites be released from slavery. Moses asks who he should tell the Israelites sent him, and God responds, “I am who I am.” I recently heard another translation which reads, “I will be what I will be.” What the Lord is saying here is that He is the Savior that the Israelites need today and will also be that same Savior to them when He is needed in the future. God tells Moses to tell the Israelites that He is the same God of their fathers - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He continues to say that, “This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.”

To assure the Israelites that God was going to do what He promised, Moses was told to remind them of the promises He kept in the past to their forefathers. And even more importantly, God also points out that He will be this same Savior to every generation. Time continues on and history continues to be made, but God is eternal. This reminds us that God has been active throughout our nation’s history, from the hopes and dreams of people coming to a New World seeking freedom to battling fiercely for these freedoms during the Revolutionary War, but also through this nation’s devastating struggles culminating in the Civil War and also in continued struggles to overcome evil and hatred stretching into the twentieth century. That same God Who has helped us through all of those challenges in history will help us to overcome the division in our country today. Hope is not lost, though we may often be placing our hope in the wrong places and people. “I AM” wants us to know that He is for us, He sees us, He hears us, He recognizes our struggles and He wants good things for us. He is our Savior today and forever. While we will see government leaders come and go, His kingdom is eternal, as the Bible tells us “to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 20 & Psalm 97.

Today

By Keith Robinson

Look at your calendar, January 2021 will soon be over!  Our lives have been consumed with pandemics, politics, and worries about things that will never happen. We are overwhelmed about tomorrow and filled with regret over our yesterdays. The Lord warned us about living in the present! He said, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” (Matt 6:34)

Almost five centuries ago Martin Luther said, “On my calendar there are only two days – today and that day.” “That day” was a reference to The Judgement Seat of Christ when as a Christian, Martin Luther would stand before God and give an accounting of how he spent his life. We have today! We don’t have yesterday or tomorrow, but today!

Today we should live with confidence, holy optimism, and a firm faith that God will help us make this day count for “that day.” Whether we are raising kids, working a secular job, or preaching from the pulpit, today is about “that day.” The scripture should embolden the believer to make today count. He reminds us that He is for us.
 

1. GOD IS FOR YOU. Get a hold of that simple truth. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). He’s for you, your family, your health, your career, and your future. He is unequivocally for you! He loves you! Listen to it from the Message: “Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves; does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you?” (Galatians 3:5). God’s not interested in your anxiety-laced strivings. He’s for you! He wants you to live in the power of His love and grace! This very day he wants to flow through you, bless you, and empower you to accomplish His will. Live today with assurance.

2. GOD WILL GIVE TO YOU. Our carnal nature is insatiable. For some it manifests itself in fear and panic, for others greed. The Spirit-filled Christian has a sense of peace because he knows God will give to us. “God did not keep back His own Son, but He gave Him for us. If God did this, won't He freely give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32). I can live this day knowing that God is already meeting the need. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). Live today in His abundance.

3. GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU. We have reached shoutin’ ground now. We should live today knowing that we are forgiven. The song writer knew how to express it!

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!

“But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.” 1 John 1:9 (NCV)

1. GOD WILL NOT LEAVE YOU. You’re not alone! You may feel lonely at times, but today you’re not alone. “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). God chooses to partner with You! He could have chosen angels for a partnership, but He chose you! He chose you to be His voice, His hands, His feet, His eyes, His heart. He chose you! He chose you to accomplish His will. He’s your partner. He lives in you. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Live today in His company!

Remember there’s only two days, today, and “That Day.”

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 19 & Psalm 22.

Calling on Christ

By Daniel Speas

Luke 18:35-43 - As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. (NLT)

Have you ever done something stupid because of peer pressure or the influence of those around you?

I know that I have, especially in my younger days...but even now, I still find myself influenced by others.  Sometimes I mow the lawn (not because I care), but because I’m worried what my neighbors will think.  There are times when I check my mail in my PJ’s (not because I care that much), but I don't want to be judged.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks like this.  Most of us in life crave acceptance.  We have a strong desire to be liked.  We want to be normal.  Even many of society's weirdest folks have their own groups that accept them. It’s part of being human.

In my devotions this week, I read Luke's account of a blind beggar who longed for Jesus to heal him.  He was so desperate that he could be heard screaming overtop the crowd.  More than anything else, he wanted a touch from God.  When the crowd tried to silence him, he cried even more loudly!

His passion and unashamed fervor allowed him to enjoy a touch from God that most others missed out on! He was healed, because he cried out to God.  We see that God honored the persistence, humility and unashamed desperation of the blind beggar.

There have been times in my life when I have missed out, spiritually, because I was too embarrassed or ashamed to follow God’s leading. 

• On more than one occasion I know that God wanted me to witness to someone………..and I didn’t.

• On more than one occasion I know that God wanted me to address someone’s sin…..........and I didn’t.

• On more than one occasion I know that I was suppose to pray for a miracle, but…………….I didn’t.

I don’t know if my disobedience would have changed a heart or been a conduit for a miracle (there's nothing special about me). But I know that I was being disobedient, because I didn’t want to be weird. And my disobedience kept me from being God’s instrument.

But the blind beggar set aside his pride. He humbled himself. And he cried out to Jesus. When everyone else was telling him to shut up and be quiet, he cried out all the more. He ignored the crowd.

What would have happened to the blind beggar if he listened to the crowd? What would have happened to him if he did what was normal? What would have happened if he didn’t speak up?

I don’t know for sure, but I think he would have missed out on Jesus’s miracle for him.

Jesus noticed this guy, because of his persistence, humility and unashamed desperation. And all throughout scripture we see God honoring persistence, humility and unashamed desperation.

I believe that many Christians miss out on God’s will/best, because it requires humbling one's self and stepping out of one's comfort zone. We miss out on the miracle God has for us, because of fear/peer pressure.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss any more opportunities to be used by God. I don’t want to let fear hold me back from God’s best in my life.

Prayer: God forgive us for caring more about what others think, than you. Fill us with Your boldness. Teach us to be sensitive to Your voice and to Your leading. Help us be faithful and obedient. Give us the humility to unashamedly recognize our need for You. And give us the fortitude to persistently call upon Your name for all that we need. Amen.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 18 & Psalm 55.

A Prayer for Unity

By Dr. Marlin Hotle

John 17:20-23 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (NKJV)

Wow, what a prayer! As you study the seventeenth chapter of John, often referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer,” you discover what I believe to be the deepest and richest chapter in the Bible. One of the primary subjects of the prayer is Jesus asking that we might be sanctified, or set apart, just as He had been. Jesus longs that we know what it is to be totally surrendered and consecrated to God. He makes it clear that being sanctified brings about a oneness with God that mirrors the oneness of the Trinity: a oneness of purpose, affection and will.

It is a prayer for unity. This unity, of course, has at its’ center that we are at one with He and the Father. But this unity is also meant to reach vertically as well. As mind boggling as it is, it seems that He is asking that the unity experienced by the Trinity open its’ arms to include the Church as well. Why? So that the world may know the power and truth of His transforming love! This king of unity is not simply an artificial ecumenical coming together where we all join arms and sing Kum-by-ya! It is something that goes much deeper.

We Should Be United by What We Believe.

This is not to say that we must believe everything alike. That has never happened, nor will it happen until we all get to heaven. But the core truths that God has laid down in His Word are non-negotiable. It is not a pick and choose Gospel. It has been stated in various ways, but the motto adopted by our church from its’ beginning must always guide us: “In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, charity; in all things, Love!”

We Should Be United by Who We Belong To.

We do not always agree with every member of our earthly family. But, if it is a healthy family, there is a love and bond that cannot be severed by disagreement. We may fight with a brother or sister, but are quick to come their defense if someone else says anything about them. Why? Because they are our family and we still love them. The same should be even more true for the Family of God. We are to share each other’s burdens, and quickly come to each other’s aid. We are to love one another enough to speak the truth if we see our brother or sister headed for danger. If we belong to the same Father, we are family!

We Are United by Those We are Trying to Save.

More than once, Jesus makes clear that the reason He is praying for the unity of the Church is so that the world will believe He was sent from God and will hear the message. If we are only united by what we believe, we will soon find ourselves arguing over what we don’t believe alike. If we are only united by Who we belong to, we may soon be arguing like we do with our siblings. But when we are united by who we are trying to save, it brings us together like nothing else.

I remember being with my father and another minister several years ago when we came upon a terrible accident. Four college girls were headed back to school when their van had hit a patch of ice and rolled over in the median. One of the girls had been partially thrown from the vehicle but her leg was still van caught in the door. The weight of the vehicle was severing her leg and causing her to cry out in pain. Mark and I ran over to see if we could help. We were soon joined by a black man and a rough looking trucker. Without discussing it, the three of us grabbed the van and lifted it enough that Mark could pull her free. We didn’t stop to ask what the black man or trucker believed or what political party they voted for. We were focused on a young lady who was hurting.

If you listen closely to our Lord’s prayer, that is what He is asking for. He prays that we would be so focused on reaching those He was soon to die for, that His death would not be in vain. If you fully surrender to God and His will, you can be sure that He wants to use you to save those He loves!

Oh Lord, make us one!

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 17 & Psalm 86.

My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer

By Caroline Speas

Psalm 18 is on our daily reading plan for today, and it is not a short one. I know it doesn’t have 176 verses like Psalm 119 does, but when you consider that the typical Psalm is around 16 verses long, this Psalm, weighing in at 50 verses, is no lightweight. And personally, I find that if I’m just reading through it without context or application, I can get a little bit lost reading it. But when reading this Psalm, I think it’s important to remember that this is the song David sang on the day he was delivered from his enemies and from Saul.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

     I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
     The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
     My God, my [strength, in whom I will trust;
     My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
     I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
    So shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3)

Those first few verses are some of my favorites in the Bible. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust. It’s like you can almost hear the sigh of relief coming out of David through these words. He had been trusting God to take care of this whole enemy situation. He had even had the opportunity to end the problem on his own terms by killing Saul himself (1 Sam. 24). But he chose to trust God’s way instead. He let his personal preferences (you know, like not wanting to be killed) decrease so that God’s perfect will could increase. And then, in response to God’s answer, he praised the Lord - his rock, his fortress, his deliverer. As I was reading and taking notes on this chapter a year ago, I broke it down into four different parts.

The first part focuses on God rescuing David from his wicked and violent enemies. (Verses 1-19)

The second part speaks about how God helped him because He found him righteous and blameless. (Verses 20-27)

The third part asserts that God does everything perfectly. (Verses 28-45)

The fourth and final part is full of praise and thanks for what God had done for him. (Verse 46-50)

I hope you have never been hunted down by a proud, power-hungry king who hated your guts. But if you are in a difficult season – whether you think it pales in comparison to what David had to deal with from Saul, or if you think it’s just about that bad – remember that we have a Rock, a Fortress. We have a God who delivers us. We have a God who takes care of the righteous. We have a God who is perfect in everything He does. We have a God who is worthy of our thanksgiving and praise. May we, like David, allow our personal preferences to decrease so that God’s perfect will can increase. May we place our trust in Him at all times. In times of difficulty and in times of victory, may we call on Him. He is worthy to be praised.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 16 & Psalm 18.

Resolving to Love

By Dr. Leigh Marlar

John 15:9-17 - “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."

Revive…renew…fresh start…resolution…whatever you want to call it, I love a new beginning!   A blank slate, a do-over.  Maybe it’s because I make so many mistakes!!  I am a daily beneficiary of God’s amazing grace.  I rejoice in the promise that his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23 says “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”). 

As a school counselor at an elementary school, January is one of my favorite times because we work on learning about and practicing kindness and empathy.  My school participates in a kindness challenge every year where every student, staff member, and family is challenged to do as many kind acts as possible in a week.  While it may seem trivial to some, to me that is exactly how we begin to change our world.  Small acts of kindness and showing love to each other. 

This is God’s command to us in John 15—love each other.  I don’t know about you, but it feels to me like we have a serious lacking of love for each other in our culture today.  My prayer this year is to focus less on myself and more on loving God and others.  The two go hand in hand.  We cannot truly love God without loving others.  After all, God created us all, in His image, we are all His children, His family.  We must treat EVERYONE with love. 

I certainly cannot do that on my own power.  I can barely love my own family all the time!!  The good news is that I don’t have to rely on my own power.  If I give all control over to God, He will help me.  He will show me the way. 

My personal theme for 2021 is “nothing is better than You.”  This is a phrase in the song “Graves into Gardens” by Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship.  It is my reminder that nothing in this world, no person, no material item, no idea, no place…NOTHING is better than YOU, the almighty Creator of all, the Living GOD. 

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 15 & Psalm 147.

Considering the Second Commandment

By Carl Kirk

Exodus 20: 3-5a - “You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” (NLT) 

In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel were surrounded by people who were rampant in worship of idols.  However, God did not and would not excuse any action that attempted to recognize and worship other Gods. 

In Leviticus 20: 23, God reminded His people, “And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.”   In Ezekiel 11:12 we are reminded, “And you shall know that I am the Lord. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.” 

In 2021, how might this influence our thinking about the Second Commandment?  In contemplating the actions of the children of Israel, it seems their idea was, “if everyone is doing something, it must be correct.”  Friends, in today’s society, constantly following the ways of the world may subtly entangle us with idol worship.  How so?  Consider how we are influenced or controlled by day-to-day activities, money, shopping, sports, television and media, vehicles, work, etc.  

COVID has affected our lives in so many ways.  However, with God’s help, the virus will pass.  When it does, will we find ourselves mowing the lawn or washing the car on Sunday in place of going to Worship?  Will we usurp the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our life?  Good and desirable things can become an idol if we are not on guard. 

Perhaps all of us can benefit individually as we pray this type of prayer:  Psalms 139, 23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;   And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (NKJV)  If the Holy Spirit reveals sin, remember 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In 2021, let us give the Holy Spirit complete control of our lives.  With His power and guidance, let’s eradicate anything that has become an idol in life.   
 
NOTE:  Acknowledgment is given to the use of some references on the Internet.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 14 & Psalm 142.

Becoming a Servant

By Ryan White

John 13:12-17 - When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV) 

Earlier in this passage Jesus started to wash the disciples' feet when Peter rebuked Him. Peter couldn’t understand why the master would wash his (the servant’s) feet. Jesus’ actions were a message about being a servant. Jesus was showing them that His purpose was to be a servant. He wasn’t there for the recognition or the accolades. He was there to do the will of the Father. He was there to serve. The feet washing wasn’t the great service He came for though. Even the great miracles he performed weren’t the main point of Jesus’ servanthood. Jesus was pointing to His real purpose. He had come to make the ultimate sacrifice. He was there to lay down His life. 

Jesus’s actions as a servant hold a lesson for us. In verse 15 Jesus said He had given an example. He told the disciples that they should do the same to others.  That we are called to be servants. If Jesus, our master, was a servant, we must serve others. Jesus said in verse 16 that a servant is not greater than his master. If Jesus served, we MUST serve. 

We live in a time where everything is seen as more of a suggestion than a commandment. We focus more on tips than on callings. Jesus wasn’t saying we serve and put others first only when we felt like it. It wasn’t just a suggestion. This was a life model. This was an example we were called to follow. 

How can we better serve others? This passage gives two key lessons. 

   1.  Realize our purpose

Verse 3-4 says, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. “

Jesus knew His purpose. He knew He was sent for the salvation of the world. He never lost sight of that purpose even when faced with temptation in the wilderness. He never forgot what He came for even when He was falsely accused and mistreated. Jesus remembered who He was even when people didn't believe in Him.

WE HAVE A PURPOSE TOO!

We need to allow God to show us that purpose. It begins with a relationship with Him, but will be fully realized when we surrender to God’s will for our life. Surrender will call us to replace our plans and agendas with His.

   2.  Get our hands dirty. 

Verse 4 says that Jesus took off his outer garments and tied a towel around His waist and started washing feet. 

Can you imagine? What a humiliating job for the God of the universe! He was up close and personal with a bunch of dirty feet. We can rarely be bothered to lend a few minutes to someone in need.

We have to be willing to get our hands dirty. God’s work can get messy. God’s work isn’t always a suit and tie affair in an air conditioned sanctuary. Sometimes we are going to have to get down on our knees and be willing to get our hands dirty. 

Have you realized your purpose? God has one for you. And it probably involves being a servant.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 13 & Psalm 25.

Sing a Song of Praise

By Dave Grant
 
Read these words from Psalm 96 that is the true Word of God for the beloved people of God.
 
     1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
          Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
     2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
          Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
     3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
          Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
     4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
          He is to be feared above all gods.
     5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
          but the Lord made the heavens!
     6 Honor and majesty surround him;
          strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
     7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
          recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
    8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
          Bring your offering and come into his courts.
    9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
          Let all the earth tremble before him.
    10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
          The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
       He will judge all peoples fairly.
    11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
          Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
    12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
          Let the trees of the forest sing for joy
    13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
          He is coming to judge the earth.
       He will judge the world with justice,
          and the nations with his truth.
 
I write this on the Day of Epiphany and on this morning the day greeted me with the glory of the Lord.  Today as I finished my morning run coming up the street to my house at 7:00 .am. I saw the deep red streaks of light showing on the eastern sky as creation sang glory to God. Just a half-hour later as I circled the elementary school to drop off my daughter, we all noticed the amazingly gorgeous orange, pink, magenta, purple, and dark blue canvas of the sky reflecting its beauty in the waters of Watts Bar Lake that evoked an audible exclamation from all of us as we joined creation’s song of praise to God. Then ten minutes later as I left the middle school I saw to the northern sky striped with pink and baby blue while straight ahead were wide brushes of salmon, light blue and lavender harmonized in a chorus of praise. And in the fore-front of the canvas was the white plume from the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant cooling towers. Even the atoms singing praise before the Lord as they offer us a way to heat our homes. 
 
As I move into this year, there could easily be the tendency to approach it as a worn and weary man who has gone through this past year of pandemic and isolation, missing my father’s 90th birthday, being moved to a new town—in isolation—with new jobs, new schools, and all that goes with moving.  I write this as we have experienced a year of sickness, angst, separation, new systems, new technologies, new facial ward-robes, and long lines at health departments. Added to all that, today has ended in violence and tragedy at the U.S. Capitol.
 
We could all complain about a lot of things.  We could cry that we aren’t getting what we want out of life right now.  We might even want to cry, “How long, O Lord?” Be clear, lament is OK before the Lord, but growth comes when we can join Job and say, “I know my Redeemer lives!”  Growth comes when we can join in singing Hallelujah Anyhow!  Growth comes when we can publish His glorious deeds among the nations and tell everyone about the amazing things He has done.  The Lord deserves glory and is enthroned on our praises (Psalm 22:3).
 
I move into 2021 as one who is weary and worn, as one who is questioning my role in a new place, and as one who wonders how long, O Lord. But I am committing now to sing praise, to make the Lord’s glorious deeds known, to sing Hallelujah come what may.  I know my redeemer lives.  I know He takes away my sin. I know He died that I might live and live abundantly.  I join heaven and earth in rejoicing.  I figure if I focus on rejoicing over the fact that the Lord reigns, then all the messiness of this world will not pull me into the pit of despair.
 
Walk with the King and be a blessing today!

(**all underlined texts include links to other web pages.**)

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 12 & Psalm 95 (or 96).

NO MATTER WHAT…..

by Lottie Bridges

A recurring theme has been running through my mind for the past several weeks.   It revolves around “nevertheless” --- a conjunction which contrasts two somewhat opposing ideas.    

Life is filled with uncertainties, with problems to which there seem to be no answers, with situations which lead to feelings of hopelessness, with actions and words which wound spirits and break relationships.    The typical response is to become angry, or to give up, or to blame others ---including God.

But then I’m reminded of examples from the Bible.    

King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that everyone should kneel to worship his image; those who didn’t would be cast into a fiery furnace.    Three men refused.  With steadfast faith in the power of the God of Heaven, their words resounded through ages to come, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, BUT EVEN IF NOT we will not [compromise our convictions].”   They weren’t spared the punishment, but their stand was a living testimony to the power of their God.  “They didn’t bend; they didn’t bow; they didn’t burn.”

Habakkuk was living in a time when everything seemed to be going wrong ---- crops were failing and livestock were dying.  But those things did not cause him to be discouraged.  In fact, he looked beyond his present circumstances with full confidence in the Lord.  “EVEN THOUGH [everything seems to be going wrong], "YET I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18.  No pity party for Habakkuk.  He chose joy which came from an inward knowledge that all was well. 

Peter and friends had been fishing all night.  He was a fisherman by profession, as was his brother and even his father before him.   Along comes Jesus.  He’s a carpenter; not a fisherman.  Jesus tells Peter to take those nets and cast them on the other side of the boat.  Peter’s first thought was of the absurdity of that command.  After all, he tells Jesus, their all-night-fishing venture had netted not one single solitary fish.  Casting their nets again would surely be a hopeless task.  But then his confidence in the Master leads him to add “NEVERTHELESS I will because you, my master, are the one telling me to do so.”   Faith and obedience garnered overwhelming results.

Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was in deep agony with the foreknowledge of what lay ahead.  Who could blame Him when He cried out, “Father, if it be your will, let this cup pass from me”?   He was well aware of the coming pain and suffering, anguish beyond human comprehension, torture bestowed upon Him which He didn’t deserve but which He knew was the reason for His coming to earth.  But then in humility and in complete surrender to the Father, He adds “NEVERTHELESS not my will, but thine be done.”   

So how do you (and I) handle life’s challenges? When the demands of the culture of our day are in contradiction to our opinions or convictions, can we declare complete trust in God?   When everything and everyone on which we depend seems to be falling apart, do we remember that our joy is found in Jesus and the salvation He alone provides? When things look hopeless and we feel like quitting, can we try again as God gives direction?    When we suffer emotionally or mentally or physically, is it possible to look to God and say, “I’m hurting beyond what I can bear; nevertheless, I want your will above all else”  

On our own, we can’t.  But our nevertherless can be “NO MATTER WHAT, I trust in God. Trusting, in spite of _ (fill in the blank)  , builds greater confidence in what God can and will do in, through, and for each of us. 

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John11 & Psalm 23.

Peace in 2021

by Kristen Robinson

Ephesians 2:14a - For he himself is our peace...

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, we were making new year’s resolutions and plans for the new year, 2020 – blissfully oblivious to the chaos that was coming our way. An international pandemic, social and political unrest, and a tumultuous election disrupted and changed all of our expectations for this year. I can’t remember another time in my life where I’ve felt more unrest both in my own bubble or so glaringly in the world writ large. But back in January 2020, we dove into REVIVE 2020 and made a habit of a daily devotional. Little did we know, 2020 was a year that we would need to rely on God’s Word more than ever!

This year, REVIVE 2021’s theme is to increase Christ in our lives and decrease the focus on ourselves. You really can’t get one without the other. That concept has been rolling around my head the past several weeks. As I watch the news and am bombarded by others’ turbulent social media posts, I find myself running headlong to scriptural reminders of God’s peace and His enduring hope. John 16:33 reminds us of God’s control of the situation: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” And 2 Timothy 1:7 provides us with a perspective when faced with this worldly tribulation: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

One of my favorites verses is Isaiah 26:3, which tells us, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” In a time as tumultuous as this, we are all wanting peace and comfort more than anything else. Some of us turn to our favorite binge-worthy TV shows or maybe a sweet snack for encouragement, and most of us decked our homes in Christmas décor to bring some brightness to the end of 2020. Those creature comforts have their place, but the Bible tells us clearly where to find lasting peace. Ephesians 2:14 reads, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” If God is peace, then the best and most fruitful way to find peace is to focus on Him, making ourselves smaller and Him bigger in our lives. We will have the “perfect peace” Isaiah tells us about when our minds are “stayed” or focused on Christ, who Himself is peace, as Paul tells us in Ephesians. As we embark on this new year, we have got to find this peace. I encourage you to reignite your intentional Bible and prayer life in 2021. This focus on Christ will not only shift your perspective, but will also bring you a new level of peace that will undoubtedly overflow on those around you.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 10 & Psalm 31.

Where Do You Dwell?

by Marlin Hotle

Psalm 91:1-16 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

The Ninety-first Psalm will always be a favorite for my family. It was the favorite Psalm of my great-grandmother, Della T. Hotle, and was the moto by which she lived her life. From the time God called her into Christian Service as a teenager, she was determined to “dwell in the secret place of the most High, abiding under His shadow.” And it was that dwelling place that kept her faith strong during many difficult trials during her life. It was what held her steady as a young pastor’s wife as she and her husband, Frank, planted storefront mission churches in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

It was what gave her courage when God called them to pioneer a mission work in Central India, where they planted several churches (which are still going strong today), two orphanages, and a leprosy hospital. It brought peace to her spirit when she faced the great famine there in 1902 that took two of her four children due to malnutrition. This passage of Scripture held her steady when her husband had a complete physical breakdown brought on by the stress and they were forced to return to the States. It was her rock as she aided him in his recovery, later to become the president of a Bible School and serve as the founding editor of Evangelistic Faith Mission’s magazine, The Missionary Herald. She leaned hard on it in their twilight years as they pastored various churches and finally, as her husband had a major stroke and became incapacitated.

Following my great-grandfather’s death, she moved in with my grandparents who were pastoring the Evanston Avenue Church in Indianapolis. (Rev. Sam Condon’s home Church.) In the summer of 1953, Grandpa was to lose his mother and wife just weeks apart. Della, my great-grandmother, was the first to die. She was in a comma for several days and the family took turns sitting with her until she passed. At that time, my Mom and Dad lived just two houses down from the parsonage and my Mother often took her turn sitting with Della as they awaited the end. Within a short time after she went in the comma, the stillness was broken as she started quoting the 91st Psalm which had been the source of her strength: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High.” There was silence for several hours, and then her lips moved again. She picked up right where she had left off: “shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.”

Over the next few days there would be silence for a few hours, and then she would begin to quote again, always picking up where she had left off. When she finished the last verse, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation,” she went home to be with the Lord who had proven Himself true to the promise. The promise is true! God blesses those who choose to dwell in the place of blessing, the place of His presence!

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 9 & Psalm 91.

A Life of Worship

By Caroline Speas

At the beginning of 2020, I began studying what the Bible says about purity and righteous living, starting with some of the Psalms. At first, I honestly thought to myself, “How much would the Psalms have to say about purity and righteous living?” When I think of Psalms, I think of a book that is full of praise and thanksgiving and even cries for help. I never really thought of it as a “how-to” book like Proverbs or the Pauline epistles. Isn’t it a worship book?

But just look at how the Psalms start!

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2 NIV)

True worship can certainly take place when we sing and pray. But true worship can also take place when we live lives that honor Him. True worship can take place when we delight ourselves in His Word and spend time dwelling on it, day and night. True worship can take place when we clear our lives of things that would draw us away from Him. And the result is a healthy, fruitful, and prosperous life. A life of purity and righteous living. A life of worship.

Yes, the Book of Psalms is full of songs of praise, it is full of prayers, and it is full of cries for helps and declarations of dependence on God. But woven throughout it is the important reminder that true worship isn’t just about the songs we sing or the prayers we pray. True worship is also about the lives we live.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 8 & Psalm 1.

It’s Going To Be OK

by Keith Robinson

Matthew 8:2-3 - And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Several months ago, at the beginning of COVID-19 someone posted a sign on  Pellissippi Parkway that simply said, “It’s going to be Ok.” I found myself passing the sign several times as I made my way back from Knoxville to Oak Ridge. It was a simple, white, yard sign with bold black print that packed a powerful message, “It’s going to be Ok.”

I was amazed that a simple message could change my day!  It made me feel lighter, more confident, less stressed, optimistic, and even boosted my faith at times! It reminded me of other occasions in my life when a simple written or verbalized word spoke to me. A note on my paper from a school teacher, “Great Job!” or the word, “Excellent!” could make a cloudy day bright! Sometimes it’s a simple positive response that reminds us, “It’s going to be Ok.” I suspect we all need to hear those words.

I thought about all the times the Lord has said, “It’s going to be Ok.” When man sinned in the Garden, He said, “I’ll bruise the heel of the serpent.” He was saying that I’ve got a plan to redeem mankind, “It’s going to be Ok.” When he repented he had made man because of they’re sinfulness, he flooded the earth. Noah and his family would have had PTSD but the Lord gave a rainbow that basically said, “It’s going to be Ok.”   Four hundred years without prophetic word between the Old Testament and New Testament...silence...then God sends His Son and calls His name Emmanuel, “God with us.”  If God is with us, then “It’s going to be Ok.”

The Lord’s message to the woman caught in adultery, “Sin no more.”  The woman at the well, “You’ll not thirst again.”  Zacchaeus, “Let’s do lunch.” The woman with the issue of blood, “Your faith has made you whole.” The wedding at Cana, “Fill pots.” To Lazarus, he said, “Come forth.” To the Leper, he said, “Be clean.” You get the point!  The message is the same for every pilgrim truly seeking God regardless of the circumstance, “It’s going to be Ok.”

The Leper asked the question “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

I know you all ready know this - but just in case you’re wondering about your circumstances - the Lord is willing! It’s going to be Ok!

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 7 & Psalm 107:1-9.

Embracing Silence

by David Speas

Psalm 62:1 — For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

I have a confession to make: I don’t like silence. When driving, I call people. When working out, I listen to music. When mowing, I zone out to podcasts. It’s so bad that I use noise to mask out noises. To get peace from sound, I turn up the sound. How weird is that!?

A couple of months ago I finally came to terms with the extent of my addiction. I had just hopped in my car and rang up my brother when he asked, “Where’re you headed?” Since I hadn’t told him I was driving, I asked him how he knew what I was doing. “That’s easy. You always call people when you’re in the car. The whole family knows, if David calls you, he’s on the road…”

For this year’s fast, I felt led to give up some of life’s unnecessary noises. These are things that aren’t sinful but that keep me from experiencing a healthy amount of silence in my life. Things like Facebook, and ESPN, and YouTube. And I’ve got to say, it hasn’t been easy. More than once I’ve pulled out my phone to catch up on the latest news or to check Facebook page or see what time a game started only to see a void where the app used to sit.

David said in Psalm 62:1, “For God alone my soul waits in silence…” The Psalmist understood that a certain amount of silence is healthy in our lives. Because it’s in the silence that God often works. I mean, think about it. God speaks in the silence. It’s in the silence that we reflect on the goodness of God. It’s in silence that we often contemplate the needs of others. It’s in silence that we surrender our wills to the will of God. Silence gives us time to remember our blessings. It’s in silence that we reflect on our choices. Silence gives us a space to demonstrate faith in God. “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”

No, I don’t think we should go back to medieval times and cloister like monks. No, I’m not suggesting we force some sort of introversion upon ourselves. That’s not the point. I’m suggesting that, if we are to be balanced Christians, we need periods of healthy silence in our lives.

How about we give God some quiet time this week in which to work? How about we “lean in” to the discomfort of silence? How about we resist the urge to fill every airwave with noise? And maybe we’ll find that there’s a greater blessing in the silence than we ever imagined.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 6 & Psalm 65.

The Greatest Prize

by Heather Crowley

Matthew 13:45-46 - The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything and he buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it.

Every day is a testament to what we cherish. Although life is a series of days, most of which we do not remember, there are moments that stay in our memory and are heavy like honey…they linger. Although we cherish many things, none are more worthy than that which is eternal! In the parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Priceless Pearl, Jesus tells us of someone who found something so valuable, that all else was worthy to be sold and forgotten. Interesting how while in this world, while having the most valuable thing, we can get distracted by so much, even baubles and things that will rust and waste away. It is helpful to be reminded of our greatest possession, that we can again see clearly that daily, it is worthy of devotion, care and pursuit all the days of our lives.

What We Have Found
As Christians, there is a point in our life that for many, is one, if not the most, cherished memory…the time upon which we called on our Father! It is a time where we came out of a slumber and were quickened by the very Spirit of God! What a thought! That for the very first time, we look up into the sky and wonder about the heavens, and that God is out there and is real and alive. When we are saved, there is a call that, although varying in details, is very much the same for everyone. That call is to follow Him. In Genesis 12:1, the Lord says to Abram, “Go out from your land; your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Abram was going out into the unknown to follow a God that no one around him believed in. But Abram had something valuable. He heard God and he was going to follow! In Isaiah chapter 6 we learn that Isaiah was called by God to give a message to His people after a vision. He heard the voice of the Lord saying “Who should I send? Who will go for us?” to which Isaiah responded, “Here I am. Send me.” The calling of God is a point by which we pivot from one direction to another and one life to another. In Luke 24:32, the Emmaus disciples spoke of having walked and talked with Christ after his resurrection saying, “…Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?”

We can have many things in life--many good things--but none is worthy of our worship but God. What we have in Christ is so magnificent and awesome that our very hearts should burn for it!

Why Is It Valuable?
Our God is so easy to love and worship. Although redeemed, we are weak. And we often need to remember what we have and what has been done for us. In John 14:26 it says “But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.” We all have scripture that compels our soul to cry out to God. One of my favorites is Job 26:7, saying “He stretches the northern skies over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. He enfolds the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst beneath their weight.” In John 5:1-8, we see another moving portrait of the character and heart of our God, who helped a pitiful man who could not get up to go in the waters of the pool of Bethesda. The man had been sick for 38 years, and because he was not strong, he was repeatedly sent to the back of the line. Our God saw THAT man--the man that all others pushed back. What a God! He loves and bends to tend to the weak and pitiful! He spoke the world into existence! HE…is the greatest prize!

What Do We Do
Most of us will never go down in history. We will most likely not make it into space, cure a disease or become a great leader of men. But our life is witnessed by God. He created and fashioned us with tenderness and love for a purpose. We are each precious in His sight, unique…and He tends to us like a beloved garden. No matter how small our doings may feel, when in the will of God and with our hearts firmly securing our great prize, we may live for a greater end...to bring glory to God. To make His name famous. To tell the good news to the world. There is no greater purpose. There is no greater end. Every year there is strife that, although new to us, is not new. The book of Ecclesiastes says in chapter 1, verse 9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” So although we live in a world that not only has evil in it, but often celebrates and promotes it, our mission is the same…always. May we pray that in the new year, we bring ourselves to God daily and remember that what have is precious. That our mission be made clear in our hearts regardless of the circumstances around us. Praise God that He is the Ancient of Days and a foundation and rock that cannot be moved! He knows exactly where we are and has purpose for our time!

Acts 17:26-27 - From one man He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though he is not far from each of us.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 5 & Psalm 7.

Seeking Something

By Caroline Speas
 

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

“Glory in His holy name. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”
Psalm 105:3 (NIV)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 
Have you noticed there is a big difference between wanting something and wanting something?  I had been going through the same routine every Sunday morning for several months now. When I would go to the shoe closet to retrieve my pair of black high heels, I would see the worn spot on the toe of the right shoe and see the worn places on each heel and think, “I’d really like to get a new pair of dress shoes.” Well, I couldn’t do anything about it in that moment. So I’d either choose to wear them or opt for boots instead. But whether I wore them to church that day or not, at some point, I would slip them back into the shoe organizer and not think much about wanting a new pair of shoes until the next week. Each Sunday, I found myself wanting a new pair of shoes. But when did I really start wanting a new pair of shoes? It was when I started searching for a pair, willing to part with the amount of money needed to purchase them. When I hit that “submit purchase” button, I decided I wanted a new pair of shoes more than new books, a nice sweater, or a whole bunch of boxes of chocolate covered cherries. 
 
“Priorities are not marked by intention and feeling, but by action and commitment.” I heard that said by Mr. Jim Nelson (whom you may have heard in our prayer podcast a few months ago) in a Sunday evening sermon when I was a senior in college about 9 years ago. I wrote it down because it struck a chord with me. Oh, how many times I had found myself saying, “I want to learn what the Bible says about this subject,” but I didn’t start the Bible study! How many times I had found myself saying, “I’d really like to start praying fervently for this soul,” but I only prayed a couple of times and stopped!

If we really want something, it isn’t enough to have intentions and feelings. It takes action. It takes commitment.

When we really want more of God, we will search Him out, willing to part with anything that would keep us from Him. When we really want to be in church, we will make the sacrifices necessary to be there. When we really want to read His Word, we will say no to something else (sleeping in, or housework, or a hobby, etc.) in order to make time for reading His Word.

Do you want God? Seek Him. If you seek Him with all of your heart – wanting Him more than anything else – you will find Him. And you will see that finding God is well worth whatever sacrifice you will have to make. 

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 4 & Psalm 16.

It's Not About Me

by Ryan White

John 3:22-30 -- After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Earlier in this chapter Jesus had met with Nicodemus at night. He explained to Nicodemus the need to be "born again." Jesus Told Nicodemus what he needed and how it was possible to obtain it. It was possible because He came to die for everyone. 

After this encounter Jesus went on with his disciples and they were baptizing people. Some of John’s disciples wondered if this would upset John because Jesus and His disciples were baptizing more people than them. 

Wouldn’t we have the same response? John was on the scene first. He was the original "Baptist." He was the guy telling people about their need for repentance. He even set Jesus up. He gave Him His grand introduction. John’s disciples tried to remind him:

“You know, the guy YOU bore witness to...”

But John wasn’t bothered. He didn’t need any credit. He didn’t need higher attendance numbers or record conversions. He knew his purpose and his place. John understood it wasn’t about him.

We need to understand “IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!”

John corrected his disciples in his explanation. He reminded them of how he had already told them he wasn’t the Christ; that he wasn’t the Messiah. He was just the messenger sent to point people to Jesus. John explained to them with the picture of the bridegroom and his friend. The fried isn't jealous. He’s happy for the bridegroom. John wasn’t jealous that more people were following Jesus. He had joy because he knew that was how it was supposed to be. 

Then he finished his correction and explanation in a simple statement found in verse 30. “He (Jesus) must increase, I must decrease.”

Could we be like John? Could we just point people to Jesus and let Him get the credit? The point of reaching out and sharing the Gospel isn’t so we achieve something. We’re not in a popularity contest. It’s not about ME, it’s about HIM.

Take a step back. Look at the way you reach out to people to share the Gospel. Do you reach out to share? If so, do you base your success on the reaction of others or their opinion of you? Do you feel down or maybe jealous when you don’t get praise or recognition for what you’ve done? Just look at John for an example. Take joy in pointing people to Jesus. Realize that your purpose and success aren't rooted in people’s approval or your popularity. Understand that God greatly loves you and purposes to use you for His glory. Step back and let Christ increase as you decrease. 

How can we decrease? The more place God has in your life, the more it shows. Spend time in God’s presence, in His Word, in His house and with His people. Ask God what in your life could be keeping Him from taking place and leading. If you allow God leadership, He will increase.

If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 3 & Psalm 139.

Not Just a Resolution

By Larrie Reynolds

It’s that time of year again--the time for making New Year's Resolutions.

Every year, shortly after Christmas, we publicly commit our intentions to improve something about ourselves.  Among the trendiest resolutions each year is the desire for peace (or, if you're a Miss America contestant, “World Peace”).  Since it's so often prayed for, and so seemingly absent, I've often wondered why God wouldn’t grant such a request.  Seems to me that peace would be in God’s will for mankind after all….

As we know, God answers prayer (especially when what we want and what He wants are the same).  Perhaps the reason we don't see this particular prayer answered is that, what we are asking of God, and what He is willing to grant, are two different things.  Perhaps God has already answered this request long ago?!
 

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 NLT).
 

I think the disconnect on the question of peace centers on our confusion about what peace is and, more importantly, where it comes from.  Our version of peace can be somwhat selfish, can't it?

We want people to behave the way we want them to behave.  If they do, then we say we have peace.  To some, peace is political.  “If my party wins, and only if my party wins, will we have peace”.  Others think of peace in terms of power.  They see peace when one government is permitted to do whatever they wish with respect to world affairs.  To them, peace is the absence of war between nations.

I refer to this kind of peace as “worldly peace.”  To get it, one person “wins”, while another “loses” (agreeably).  To secure worldly “peace”, all of those people need to change.  “We could have peace if only they would...”. 

You see, it’s easy to examine other’s actions and prescribe what we believe they need to do in order to achieve peace.   Even the twelve disciples that knew Jesus, the "Prince of Peace," fell into this “tiger trap” of a dilemma.  Some of his closest followers for instance, were expecting Jesus to overthrow the Roman government, ridding the region of the “infidel” invaders.  Others wanted Jesus to clear the temple of the unrighteous, setting up His kingdom in Jerusalem.  Some wanted to pick up swords and fight (with the intention to maim or even kill) anyone interfering with the work of Jesus.

However, Jesus did not come to “take over” Israel or Judaism.  He was not interested in human ideals of power, or state, or in the governing of religious orders.  Christ came to bring a different kind of peace--the kind that God offers everyone, anytime they ask, through His Holy Spirit.

The peace that God offers passes our “understanding”.  It is rooted in a continuous, unbroken communication with the Father.  It governs every action, thought, deed, or word.  It brings quietness, reflection, and inner love for others.  It is not bothered by the events of the day.  It cares not for winning nor for losing.  It is borne in a contentment that God rules and He is Lord (of all).

Of all the resolutions we can make, the most important to keep are those that God expects of us.  To be called a “Christian” means that we follow Christ.  That we emulate his teachings. 

Jesus told his disciples (and by extension, each of us,) to “put away your swords”.  He doesn’t want or need us to defend Him or His teachings.  In Matthew 26:53 Jesus said, "Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?".

Rather, he wants what we want--Peace--the kind of peace that changes us.  This was what Warren Cornell was referring to when he penned these words...

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm.
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll.
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control.
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the father above
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

If you are participating in our "Daily Bible-Reading Program," today's texts are John 2 & Psalm 121.