Month: January 2015

Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:14-15

Watching the evening news or reading the newspaper, we will hear or read stories of evil and corruption in our fallen world. We live in a very crooked and perverted generation that does not follow God’s commands and laws. On every side there is murder, stealing, sexual perversions, hatred, and injustice. I wonder what the world will be like when my grandchildren are my age. Our sinful world seems to get worse with each generation. How long will God wait before He returns to establish a new heaven and new earth with His children who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior?

God calls us, as believers, to set an example, to be a shining star in our dark world of sin. We are to be different from the world, therefore, believers are challenged to do everything without grumbling and arguing. Others should see a distinct difference in the way we we live our lives. Those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior do not have any real purpose in living. They usually have a very selfish attitude and complain about everything that happens.. Selfishness is the root of all sin. We want something for ourselves so we can be like God. We are called to live a pure life.

Challenge: Your life should be a light in a dark world. Ask God to help you to live your life in a way that will bring glory and honor to Him. Pray that you will do everything without grumbling and arguing so you can be an example of how to live in a crooked and perverted world.

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. Proverbs 24:10 HCSB

I have faced difficult times in my life and even wondered why God was allowing certain circumstances. I have observed others who seem to face impossible situation with faith and confidence in God. I remember one family that lost both of their sons in automobile accidents in the same year. Another gentleman lost is wife in an accident and then he himself was almost killed in a separate accident. Another lady lost both of her sons, one of whom was killed by the police. I have also known of people facing the loss of a job and dealing with financial difficulties. There are numerous examples of people facing difficult times. The book of Job is the classic story of a faithful man of God who suffered the loss of his family and nearly all of his possessions but remained faithful to God. We often do not understand why difficulties come, but as we handle each challenge, it helps us to grow, develop character, and trust God to bring good out of our suffering.

This verse reminds us that we can be certain that we will face difficult times, but it is important how we handle them. Our response to difficulties determines our character and willingness to work to overcome the challenges we face. Times of trouble can be helpful if we learn from them. Difficulties will show our real character and our ability to handle adversity. Jeremiah questioned God when troubles came his way, but God reminded him that if he was going to handle big challenges in life he had to first learn how to take care of the smaller challenges (Jeremiah 12:5).

Challenge: Do not complain about your problems; instead thank God for the difficulties. Look at your problems as opportunities to grow and mature. The troubles you face today are training for the more difficult situations you will face in the future. We must trust God even when we do not understand, knowing that He wants only what is best for each of us. God can always bring good out of our suffering.

What is man that you remember him, the son of man that You look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4-5 HCSB

What type of price tag would you put on your life? There are many people who feel they are not worth much. Some have a low self-esteem and others may hate their life so much that they wish they had never been born. A low self-esteem is often the result of listening to negative messages from others, whether they are true or not. Negative feelings are often caused by punishment, neglect, or abuse; failing to meet parental standards; failing to be accepted and included in one’s peer group; being the odd one out at home or school; stress; or the absence of any praise and affection.

These verses remind us that every individual is valued by God. Man is made just a little lower than God and the angels. In God’s eyes we have great worth because we are made in His image and bear His stamp of approval. The Bible reminds us that God knows when a sparrow falls to the ground. If He cares that much for the birds, how much more He cares for every human being! A price tag cannot be put on a human life because we are priceless to God.

Challenge: You are so valuable that God sent His Son to die on the cross so you might have your sins forgiven and receive eternal life. God has already declared how valuable you are to Him. Remember that you are a child of God and have been crowned with glory and honor. You can be set free from any feelings of worthlessness.

Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in His image. Genesis 9:6

In just a few days my daughter-in-law will give birth to her first child and our third grandchild. We are excited to actually see the baby and know from sonograms that she already has a lot of hair. She has a combination of genes from both of her parents. There will be speculation by others if she looks more like her mother or her father, but one thing is sure: She is made in the image of God.

This verse in Genesis reminds us that every person is made in the image of God. That does not mean we look like God, but rather that we have the same characteristics as God that distinguish us from animals. Humans possess morality, reason, creativity, and self-worth. When we interact with other people, we are interacting with people who are made by God in His image. Additionally, God offers eternal life to those who believe in His Son and accept Him as their personal Savior.

Challenge: Thank God that you are uniquely made in His image. Thank Him for life and the opportunity to have eternal life made possible through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply” and fill the earth. Genesis 9:1 HCSB

I have reached the wonderful stage in life of being a grandparent. There is nothing much more fulfilling than to have grandchildren come running toward you with hands held high to be picked up. I have been richly blessed with two grandchildren and have three more on the way this year. I can remember when each of my four children was born. It is exciting that God allows us to be a part of His plan – the creation of a new life.

After the flood, God commanded Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. This is the same command that was given in Genesis 1:22 to Adam and Eve and to all living creatures in Genesis 8:17. God has created us to have children and planned from the very beginning of time for us to be a part of His plan of creation. God created us with the ability and desire to be fruitful and multiply.

Challenge: God values life and wants us to value the lives of others. Thank Him for allowing you to be a part of the creation of new life. Thank Him for each of your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Even if you have never had any children, hopefully, you have had the opportunity to babysit or to teach a child in some way. Thank Him for the privilege of influencing the lives of family members and those around you.

I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding.” And they were encouraged to do this good work. Nehemiah 2:18 HCSB

In 2014 The Kentucky Baptist Convention had an emphasis on sharing the story of how the Lord had changed one’s life. While leading Sunday School conferences this fall, one of the activities was to gather conferees in groups of two or three and ask them each to share their story of how they came to know the Lord as personal Savior and how becoming a Christian had changed their lives.

The capital campaign at my church was a huge success because our people gave more than what was pledged. Most churches consider a campaign a success if they receive 80% of what is pledged. The success of our campaign was partly due to the willingness of our people to share testimonies of how God had worked in their lives. Hearing how God is working in the lives of others is always inspiring.

Nehemiah shared his story of how God had been with him and had provided everything he needed. His story inspired others to join him in the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Being involved in doing God’s work can be very fulfilling and encouraging.

Challenge: When was the last time you shared “your story” with someone and told them how God has richly blessed your life? Look for an opportunity to share your story with a waiter, friend, or relative this week.

So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” Nehemiah 2:17 HCSB

God allowed me to serve at a church where we had grown to the point that we needed to relocate. We had already transitioned to four worship services on Sunday morning and were parking cars every place we could find, including the front lawn of the church. It was exciting to be a part of the process of selling the current property, enlisting an architect and building firm, building the building, and then moving to our new location. It was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it. Today the church still stands as a vivid testimony of God’s work among His people.

Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonian army. Years later when the walls that protected the city still lay in ruins, Nehemiah had a dream and a plan to rebuild the walls and secure the city. A city without any walls was vulnerable to attacks and was considered to be an unsafe place to live. It took someone like Nehemiah to motivate and rally the people behind the cause of rebuilding the walls. He not only had the administrative skills to organize the people, he had connections to people who could help, and he knew how to delegate and motivate people to get the job done. Last but not least, Nehemiah had God on his side to help accomplish the task of rebuilding.

Challenge: Has God called you to be a leader to motivate others to accomplish His plan or has He called you to be a hard worker and follow the leadership of others to help get a job done? Do your part and embrace whatever task God has given you the opportunity to do to further His Kingdom.

I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests, for I was graciously strengthened by my God. Nehemiah 2:7-8 HCSB

I pushed on the brake pedal and all I heard was a grinding noise. That meant that my brakes needed to be replaced. There is a minister with whom I work that is a gifted mechanic so I asked if he could help me replace the brakes. A few days later I was at his house replacing the brakes on my truck. We had a good time working together and I saved some money by doing it myself.

Just as I went to someone who could help me, Nehemiah went to the person who could help him. He was not afraid to ask the king for letters to give them safe travel but also to secure wood to help rebuild the walls and even to build a home for himself. Some would think that Nehemiah was a bit presumptuous asking the king for additional help. Sometimes when we have a need, we hesitate to ask for help. Either our pride keeps us from asking or we are afraid of the response we may receive. Nehemiah was not afraid to ask for help, and he sought the person who had the resources and power to actually assist him. God used the king to answer Nehemiah’s prayer.

Challenge: Do not be reluctant to ask for help from those who have the ability to help. This may be God’s way of using and blessing them so that He can bring a blessing to you. God often uses others to answer the prayers of His children.

Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5 HCSB

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors whom I had the privilege to meet at a conference several years ago. I enjoy the way he writes with such descriptive words. His latest book entitled “Before Amen,” explores the purpose and meaning behind prayer. Prayer does not have to be fancy with words that are difficult to pronounce. The point of the book is to remind readers that we all should always be a state of prayer, talking with the Lord, sharing our thoughts and concerns. Prayer should be as natural in our lives as breathing and talking. We should talk to God just like we would if we called an old friend just to talk. God is interested in everything we say and do.

When Nehemiah was faced with the opportunity to present his request before the king, he wanted to make sure he said the right thing. He spontaneously prayed to God while carrying on a conversation. Over the years of praying, he had developed an intimate relationship with God and he had a strong sense of being one of God’s children and friend. It was just natural for Nehemiah to pray to God. He did not say to the king, “I will get back with you.” His response was immediate but he wanted to make sure God was a part of every decision he made. Nehemiah sought wisdom and guidance as he responded to the king. Eight times in the book of Nehemiah we find that Nehemiah spontaneously prayed and sought God’s direction. I have sometime heard spontaneous prayers described as being “arrow prayers” that are quickly shot to heaven when we discover there is a need.

Challenge: Do you have a close relationship with God? Do you feel you can easily take everything to God in prayer? He wants you to freely and spontaneously bring your requests before His Holy throne. Spend time cultivating a close relationship with God so your prayers can be more effective. Consider reading Max Lucado’s book “Before Amen”. Visit Max Lucado’s website to learn more about Before Amen at https://maxlucado.com/audio/daily-audio/before-amen-challenge/ Listen to Alan Jackson sing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35JDIdQF5A

During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, so the king said to me, “Why are you sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but depression.” I was overwhelmed with fear and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Nehemiah 2:1-3 HCSB

Healthline reports that depression is a condition that affects 1 of 10 Americans. Eighty percent of people with symptoms of clinical depression are not receiving any treatment for their condition. The number of people diagnosed with depression increases by 20 % each year. Depression is most prevalent in people who are ages 45-64. Overall, women have higher rates of depression than men. An estimated 121 million people around the world suffer from some form of depression.

Nehemiah was in a state of depression because the city of his ancestors lay in ruins. Three months had passed since Nehemiah had heard about the condition of the city of Jerusalem. When the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad and depressed, it caused Nehemiah to be fearful because it was dangerous to show sorrow before the king, who could execute anyone at any time without a reason. Nehemiah was fearful, but it did not deter him from doing what God had called him to do. When we allow fear to rule our behavior, we are saying that our fear is greater than God. In truth, God is greater than all of our fears.

Challenge: Is there a task God wants you to do but fear is holding you back? Do not allow fear to control you. Trust God to help you when you begin to experience fear. Realize that if God has called you to a task, He will provide the resources you need to accomplish it. Pray for strength to recognize and defeat any fears or depression you may have.