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Isaiah 30:15 – Taking Time With God

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

But you were unwilling, (Isaiah 30:15 ESV)

We all live busy, hectic, modern lives. When we work, we work a lot. When we play, we go all out. When we are home, we have kids to take care of or school events to attend. When it comes to church, we could be at a service or small group every other day if we really wanted. It can be hard to put time aside from our eventful days to rest and be quiet before God as today’s Scripture instructs. And this gets even harder when a monkey wrench is thrown into our busy lives. This could be a death in the family, a rebellious child, the loss of a job, or anything at all that is unexpected. When any of these happen to us, our first response is often to set things back to “normal mode”. Who wouldn’t want to do this? We look for the plans of action necessary to set things in order and ask God to bless us along the way. We fall into the trap that action is the only solvent for the unexpected problems in life. When many times, we simply need to live as the Psalmist and “be still and know that [He is] God” Psalm 46:10. Our comfort won’t come from solving the issues alone, but knowing God and his ways during our busy life.

Begin taking 5 minutes out of your workday to be in a quiet place and rest in God. As we begin to make this a habit, we will understand its importance and remember to make more time during our busy lives for God.

Exodus 4:10-12 – Unlikely Leaders

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:10-12 ESV)

Moses was one of the Bible’s most noted leaders. He led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and then served competently as a priestly leader. He taught them what was God’s will, prayed for them, and even plead their case before God. We need more men like him in the church. But is it possible that they are already here but have never gotten a chance? Moses was not a gifted speaker and had difficulty trusting God when he told him he would lead the Israelites. If Moses were alive today, who would he look like in the church? Would he be the person sitting next to you who doesn’t appear to have a “leadership bone” in his body? In fact, could it be you?

The key to Moses’ great leadership was its anointing and ordination, and not the “perfect packaging” of his personality. Notice how the Lord assured him, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”(Exodus 4:12). He wasn’t naturally someone who possessed the “leadership goods”, but the Lord worked through him mightily on numerous occasions. Chances are, Moses would be someone considered “weak” by the world’s standards. Fortunately  we serve a God who chooses “what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Remember, it is not in ourselves we find our competency for God’s call, but through his word that we may be “equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).

Ask God to help you see potential leaders through his eyes today.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (James 1:23-24 ESV)

The Bible is an amazing thing. It is at once accessible and understandable to small children, yet confounding and infinitely deep to the theologian. As earnestly as any man studies Scripture he will inevitably encounter the infinity of God, and will be unable to grasp every part of its instruction. God’s Word is a marvel and when we begin to look closely, we discover that it glistens and shines like a finely cut gem with facet upon facet of gleaming truth. But this “finely cut gem” is not like others that we would view through a glass case in a museum. It isn’t merely a thing of beauty to be looked at and temporarily appreciated. No, Scripture contains the very breath, the very life of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is like a mirror that reveals to us two things: one, who we are presently, and two, whose image we are being conformed to (Romans 8:29). We would do well to gaze honestly into the mirror of Scripture and humbly submit to the image it reflects. As you study the Bible and are convicted by the way you are living, don’t resist the truth, and don’t make excuses for yourself. Submit to God’s Word as the highest and final authority and he will continually conform you to the image of Christ.

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.  (Psalm 119:9 ESV)

John 15:12-13 – Agape Love

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13 ESV)

So what is love really? In the English language we have one word for love. We use this word to say…

I love that pasta dish.

I’d love to go on a hike in the woods.

I sure miss you bro. Love you man.

I’m really glad you are my wife. I love you baby.

But we don’t mean the same thing with the word love in each of those phrases. The Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, actually has 3 words that are translated as “love” in English:

Eros—physical, sexual, sensual love. From which we get the modern word erotic. Eros is about chemistry, physical attraction, passion, sexual desire, and romantic love.

Phileo—brotherly or friendship love. This where the city Philadelphia derives its name- “the city of brotherly love.” Phileo is about companionship, camaraderie, partnership, mutual affection, or giving and receiving.

Agape—unconditional love. The word “agape” was not used commonly in ancient manuscripts, save the New Testament. Many scholars believe that early Christians used and possibly even coined the word. Agape is all about unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love- the love displayed by God through Jesus. There is this underlying idea of total commitment to the object of love even if it doesn’t deserve or desire it.

The problem with agape love is that it’s risky and dangerous, because if you choose to love someone else and expect nothing in return, to look out for their best interests at the expense of your own self-interests, at some point you are going to get burned, at some point the love is not going to be reciprocated. That’s exactly how Jesus loved us, and only through Jesus can we love others with this fantastic agape love.

Which of three Greek words for love most often describes how you love others? What prevents and hinders you from loving others unconditionally?

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heave and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal house for himself!  2 Chronicles 2:12

Dear follower of Jesus Christ, do you desire to know the will of God?  Then He is prepared to show it to you.  He may not always show it exactly when or in the manner we would wish it to come.  But He will not leave us without His guidance and care.  In due time, sometimes after trouble or in tribulation, He will make His will known.  The psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).  God told His people through His prophet Isaiah, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).  That quietness and dependence come when we wait upon the Lord, even as Hiram, who is speaking in today’s verse, was taught to do in his life of faithfulness.

If we are impatient and hear nothing, it is God’s choice to answer us with, “Not yet”.  More is to come.  As events unfurl, circumstances change, and our prayers remain persistent, the will of the Lord will be made known.

Isaiah said, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).  Sooner or later, either with a yes or now, the will of God will be clarified.  When it is, we will proceed with the power of the eagle and the persistence of the runner.  May God grant you such a life and such a willing obedience to do His will.  May we be found faithful.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have a will and a plan for my life.  Help me rely on You.  Help me trust Your Word and lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge You.  I believe You will lead my way and guide my path.  Thank You for being faithful in the past.  I claim Your promises for the future.  May Your hand of blessing guide me as I seek to follow Your will.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Dr. R. Philip Roberts, Kansas City, MO

When He, the Spirit of the truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  John 16:13

The Lord God Almight does a marvelous service for us!  He does what no other religion or religious leader can do.  What is it that He does?  He, by the mighty work of the third Person of the Godhead, indwells and fills every child of His.  Everyone who has given his or her life to Jesus receives God the Father's and Jesus' presence through the Holy Spirit.

This is why Jesus told His disciples, "It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7).  This is amazing!  The Holy Spirit encourages and leads us.  Rather than simply accompanying us physically, He indwells us and guides us.  The Lord keeps His promise to direct our paths.  The Spirit helps us understand, know, and execute God's will.

It is just as if Jesus were by our side.  Because the Spirit dwells in us, however, it is better still.  The Spirit who does all things in counsel with God the Father and Jesus the Son guides us on a daily basis.  

Today we rejoice in the fabulous, wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit.  May we be so attuned to His will and purpose that we do not miss His plan and remain fit vessels for His service and use.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Thank You for being gracious God who knew my needs and met them before I was even aware of them.  Through the Holy Spirit, You guide my life.  May He have full control over all that I say and do.  Thank You for this most remarkable gift!  May I know His fullness and His leadership as I step into today's activities and challenges.  I honor You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” Acts 9:10-14

Have you ever been afraid to do something God is asking you to do? In this scripture, Saul was known for being a man who persecuted and even killed Christians. Ananias was a Christian. And here, God is about to change the heart of Saul, an evil man who hated God. He is about to heal him of his blindness and use him to reach many, many people for the Lord. But first, Ananias must obey God and have faith that God knows what he is doing.

You can imagine the fear Ananias must have felt to obey God and approach Saul. He must have heard countless stories of horrendous things Saul had done to Christians in the region. But still, he obeyed. And thank goodness he did! Because of Ananias’ obedience, God gave Saul back his sight and changed his heart. Saul (whose name was later changed to Paul) went on to become a major Christian force and in turn, wrote much of the New Testament.

What is God calling you to do? It may be to pray with a co-worker or, to invite someone into your home for a meal. Maybe it’s to call up an enemy and make amends. Or it could be an infinite number of other acts of obedience that God asks you to do. We never know how someone’s life can change because of our obedience to God. When we have faith like Ananias, God can use us to accomplish unimaginable things!

What is God asking you to do?

These words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  Deuteronomy 6:6

When the sign on a backcountry trail forbids me to go forward, I can be prideful, certain of my own invulnerability, I tell myself that warning signs are for those who have less knowledge or sub-par skill.  But such pride will end in disaster.  Warning signs apply to all people, regardless of their skill level or experience on the trail, for all who make the journey beyond the warning will face the same danger.

The signposts set up by God warn us and help us keep our soul from sin’s pathway.  But we can be prideful, certain of our own strength to navigate dangerous trails safely.  Discernment, planted in our hearts through God’s Word and pressed on our minds by His Spirit, dispels our pride and directs our steps away from disaster and dishonor.

Living for God’s glory demands a careful and diligent walk.  We have to take time to look around us and within us so we don’t rush headlong into danger.  To live wisely and with discernment, we need to rescue every moment for God’s glory.  Looking inside and out, we must ask, Am I honoring God with my life and service?

When we allow God’s Word to sink deep into our hearts, we will be able to understand His plan for situations we face.  His Word is the filter through which we gain discernment.  Our relationship with God through faith is Christ is more than words on a page.  It is who we are, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells within us.  God promises that when we are saturated with His loving wisdom through His Word, our hearts will be transformed and we will be given discernment to navigate through every terrain of life for His glory.*

Lord Jesus, I humble myself before You today and embrace Your Word that gives me life.  I pray that this day might be marked by the discerning spirit You offer to me through intimate fellowship with You.  I pray that the glorious grace of Your rescuing love might enlighten my heart with insight and direct my steps toward Your glory.  Amen.

*Eric Thomas, Norfolk, VA

You shall command the priest who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, “When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.”  Joshua 3:8

Sometimes obedience just doesn’t make sense.  Sometimes God asks us to do something that seems incompatiable with what we feel or understand.  I imagine that this was the Israelites’ experience when God told the priest to stang in the Jordan River.  They may have found it hard to believe that God would again help up waters like He did at the Red Sea.  Still, He called them to trust and obey Him.

In every relationship and in every circumstance, we are to live to celebrate our God and bless Him through obedience.  Through the day and into the night, both when people watch us and when no one is near, we must be resolved to make God smile.  Our hearts must beat for His honor and our souls must sing for His pleasure.  We are to live each moment in a manner that is worthy of His love and empowered by His grace.  The Spirit awakens our heart to think first of God’s joy before we speak, write, or take action.  As God’s Word unveils His heart and opens our eyes to what gives Him delight, we determine to weave every fiber in the fabric of our lives into a garment of praise.  

There is no higher calling and no greater joy than to give all that we are to glorify God.  To pursue His pleasure is the aim of our obedience.  To know His pleasure is our supreme treasure.

Glorious God, when I stand on the brink of difficulty or on the summit of success, may my heart embrace Your will and seek Your pleasure.  May the resounding song of Christ’s love rooted deep in my soul propel me to step forward in concert with Your purposes for me.  I pray that I might adjust every thought, word, and action of my life according to Your desire, as unveiled by Your Spirit and through Your Word.  Amen.