Month: January 2014

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 HCSB

The specialist examined my ear and told me that I had a benign tumor in my ear. It was growing larger and would destroy any tissue it contacted and was gradually moving toward my brain. Needless to say, it needed to be removed. I was scheduled for surgery that was predicted to last an hour and half, but when the surgeon discovered that the tumor was wrapped around my facial nerve, he took greater care so as to not cause the left side of my face to become paralyzed. After three and half hours the doctor was successful in removing the tumor.

Sin in our lives is like a cancer or tumor and will cause pain, suffering, and even death if we do not do something about it. In these verses, David pleads with God to search his heart, his thoughts, and his actions and to remove any offensive way. We all have evil thoughts, jealousy, and actions that are hurtful toward ourselves or others. Only God can cleanse us of all unrighteousness and guide us in the everlasting way.

Challenge: Pray these two verses as a prayer to God. Ask Him to search your heart and mind and show you the sins in your life. Ask Him to help you resist the evil one and to lead you in the path of righteousness.

For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14 HCSB

It was Christmas and all of the packages were under the tree. There was excitement in the air as everyone gathered around to open presents. One package I noted was rather large and wrapped beautifully, and it had my name on it. It was from my grandmother. I tore into the package with great anticipation, excited to see what I had received. How disappointed I was when I discovered that my gift was an afghan my grandmother had knitted for me. As a teenager I did not appreciate the gift of love the blanket represented. She had spent countless hours knitting every stitch to make a special gift just for me. My grandmother went home to be with the Lord thirty-seven years ago, and today as a grown man I still have the beautiful blanket and count it as a cherished possession.

Just as my grandmother devoted hours of time knitting a blanket for me, God takes time to be actively involved in the creation of each individual, giving each a unique look, personality, and special talents and abilities. God’s character is woven into each person from the very moment of conception. He creates each of us in a wonderful and remarkable way.

Challenge: God loves each and every person. When you feel worthless and get down on yourself, remember that you are a creation of God. He loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son so you can have forgiveness of sin and have a relationship with Him. Praise Him for making you just the way you are. Each and every life is extremely valuable in God’s eyes.

Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? Psalm 139:7 HCSB

Recently my wife travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to help with our granddaughter and grandson. She immensely enjoys spending time with our children and our grandchildren. Although I am always glad she is able to be of service, I miss her when she is gone. When I worked for the Missouri Baptist Convention I frequently travelled across the state to lead training conferences which often required spending consecutive nights away from my family. I never enjoyed being away from my wife and children.

It is comforting to know that God is always with us no matter where we go. There is no place we can go that God is not there. God is omnipresent – He is everywhere. No matter what we are experiencing – pain, suffering, illness, or sadness, God is always with us. We are never away from God’s love and comfort.

Challenge: Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Read Romans 8:35-39. Thank God for His matchless love and that He is always there for you no matter what you are going through.

Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me: You have placed Your hand on me. Psalm 139:4-5 HCSB

Once there was a movie in which everything a man did was on television for the world to watch. People would tune in to see what was happening and how the main character was reacting to certain situations. We probably can not imagine what it would be like to live without any level of privacy. Surely our words and behavior might be altered if we knew that all of our actions and conversations could be seen and heard by others. We would probably be a lot more careful to be on our best behavior.

The Psalmist says that God knows our words before we even speak them. He knows our thoughts, motives, and feelings. God is everywhere we go and knows everything we do and say. We are constantly in God’s eye and He has His hand upon us. A person of integrity acts and talks the same in private as when he is in public.

Challenge: Conduct yourself in such a way that it would not make any difference if all of your actions and words were on television for everyone to see and hear. Thank God for having His hand upon you and giving you guidance and direction in life.

Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. Psalm 139:1-2 HCSB

All of us have secrets. Some secrets are detrimental and some are joyous. Perhaps there are events, activities, and thoughts in our lives we would not want anyone to know about because it would be embarrassing and in many cases would adversely affect what others think about us. Such hidden activities may also negatively affect our family and friends if revealed.

There is a new Beth Moore small group Bible study entitled Sacred Secrets. In the promotional trailer Beth offers that we all have secrets in our lives, but God covers our secrets. It is not possible to hide secrets from God; He knows everything. The Psalmist proclaims that God knows when we sit down and when we stand up. He knows and understands our thoughts. Even though others might think differently of us if our secrets were revealed, God never waivers in His love for us. He accepts us and loves us no matter what we have done or thought, regardless of what secrets we may have.

Challenge: God knows you completely. There is nothing God does not know about you. He loves you unconditionally and longs to protect and guide you if you will only turn to Him and trust Him with your life. Thank God for His unconditional love and acceptance.

Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation. John 17:24 HCSB

We really enjoy having our children and grandchildren all together. There is nothing more heart-warming than having all of our children together for vacation at Gulf Shores, spending time on the beach, going out to eat, and playing games at night. Other enjoyable times are when we gather to celebrate family birthdays. Of course, Thanksgiving and Christmas would not be the same without our children and grandchildren.

Jesus continues His prayer, requesting to have all of His believers (His children) with Him in heaven. God’s design from the beginning of time was to provide a way for all men to have eternal life. From the foundation of the world Jesus was to come into the world to die on the cross and pay the penalty for the sins of men. Through Jesus everyone can have forgiveness of sin and have eternal life in heaven.

Challenge: Know that God loved you from the beginning of time. He loved you so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sins. As a believer, praise God for forgiving your sins and giving you eternal life in heaven.

I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22-23 HCSB

After 40 years in ministry I have observed a variety of churches. Some seem to have divisions and conflict. As a result, they are not reaching as many people for Christ and are often declining in members and having difficulty meeting their budgets. In other churches there seems to be a sense of unity where people are working together even in the midst of differing opinions. All of the members seem to be working together to reach people and bring glory to God.

Jesus points out the importance of unity among believers. He is praying that all believers would be unified just as Jesus and the Father are one. When believers are unified they are examples to the world of Christ’s love and mercy. It is through unity that the world can know that God loves them and that He sent Jesus to provide a way for everyone to be forgiven and to be restored to a right relationship with Him.

Challenge: Are you unified with other believers or are you creating division and conflict? God wants all believers to be unified as He and the Father are unified. A difference of opinion is possible even with unity in God’s work. Try to overlook differences and focus on working together to bring honor and glory to God.

I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. John 17:6 HCSB

My wife and I wanted our children to have Biblical names. We considered using the name Elizabeth for our first child but then we discovered that the name Bethany is a derivative of Elizabeth and we really liked it. We then used Lynn as her middle name because both my wife and I have the middle name of Lynn. We named our first son Nathanael Thomas using my father’s name as his middle name. We named our second son Jonathan Philip after my wife’s father, Philip. Our youngest is named Sarah Elisabeth. The spelling of her middle name is the same as one of my wife’s relatives. Each of our children’s names has a very special meaning.

Jesus revealed the name of God. In Hebrew culture a person’s name had a specific meaning and reflected the nature of the person. Jesus revealed to us the nature and character of God. The only way for us to know God is to know Jesus.

Challenge: Are you revealing God to others? You must spend time in God’s Word and in prayer to really know Jesus. Make the commitment to have a regular quiet time each day and spend time getting to know Jesus and His teachings. As you know and obey Jesus, you will bring glory to God.

This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent – Jesus Christ. I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. John 17:3-4 HCSB

In warm seasons working in the yard to trim the bushes and edge the walk always seems to take longer than expected. I have been known to work into the dark and even use the porch lights to see well enough to pick up piles of clippings around the house. My personality is such that I like to complete a project once I have started.

Jesus had to complete the work that the Father had given Him. With His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, Jesus would complete the work that God had given Him to do. Jesus’ task was to live a sinless life, teach God’s way, set an example for others to follow, die on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, be buried, and raised to new life. By completing the work God had assigned to Him, Jesus would bring glory to His Father.

Challenge: What work has God given you? Are you committed to using your talents and resources to bring honor to God? Pray that God will show you what He has for you to do and will help you to complete the task.

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 HCSB

As a parent I have had to give instruction and correction to all four of my children over the years. At the same time all of my children also needed to hear encouraging words and praise. We all want to hear our parents say, “Good Job”. The same is true in the work force. As I have conducted annual reviews for employees, I have always tried to provide some positive words while also giving words of guidance if needed.

Paul encouraged Timothy to fulfill his ministry, to be persistent in proclaiming the message even when it was not easy. Timothy was to rebuke, correct, and teach the people with a spirit of patience and encouragement. There must be a balance between rebuking and and encouraging people who need direction. It is sometimes difficult to be patient when we understand what people should be doing and it appears they aren’t making the necessary effort to succeed. Paul admonishes that we are to have great patience.

Challenge – As a believer you should proclaim the Good News to those with whom you have contact every day. It should be done with gentleness and patience. If you must rebuke and correct, be sure to include a word of encouragement.