Time To Get Going

We’ve all heard phrases like, “Wow, that company is going places,” or “That person is going to the top of the ladder,” or “I wonder where they are going.” Everyone seems to be going someplace to do something. But, what matters most is where they are going and what they are going to do when they get there.

Christians have responded to Christ’s “come.” Now that we have, we are commanded to “go!” with the specific responsibility to “make disciples.”

The Psalmist was very direct when he addressed this “come” and then “go.” He described it in these terms: “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

When we “go,” we are to “sow.” God gave us the “seed” which is His Word for a purpose: We are not to store it in sacks in a warehouse, but to plant it in the hearts of those who are still seeking Him. Our hearts may become heavy, and tears may fill our eyes. But there is the assurance that our tears will be changed into songs of joy because His Word is true and will not return to Him void or without results. We are to sow the seed He gives us and allow Him the honor of the harvest - whatever that may be. Because it is His seed, we may never understand or know what the harvest will be. Though the work may be difficult and the results uncertain, the Lord is with us, and wherever He leads us, He will bless what we do for Him.

The assurance of God’s blessing is a word of encouragement He offers us to be “sowers of His seed.” We are not to sit idly by and wait for the results. We are to go and sow and pray and leave the harvest to Him. And, there will be a harvest if we are faithful “sowers.” He promises that we will return from the field singing songs of joy bringing His sheaves with us.

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to follow Your command - Your orders - to be faithful “sowers” of the “seed” and trust You for the results. Thank You for letting us be part of Your work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126:6

Living And Laughing

“The way things are in this world, I’m certain that your God never laughs,” said a skeptic.

“Well, I’m not sure if He laughs or not. But I am sure of one thing: He certainly created me so that I can laugh,” said his friend with a smile.

Some people think that tears and trials, grunts and groans are the centerpieces of the Christian life. The real fact is that tears and trials, grunts and groans are more associated with sin than they are with salvation. And, to emphasize that fact, God’s Word promises us that one day, “He will wipe away all tears” from the eyes of the believer - not the unsaved.

A physician once said that “he who laughs, lasts.” People who laugh live longer than those who don’t laugh. Few people realize that their health varies according to the amount of laughter in their lives. Would it not be wonderful if each time we felt discouraged we could go to the pharmacy and find an “over-the-counter” bottle that contained a tablet to make us laugh?

Not only are laughter and health related, but laughter and holiness are related. When the Lord brought His exiles back to Jerusalem, a Psalmist wrote, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”

If there are people who have a reason to laugh and sing songs of joy, it is Christians. Our sins are forgiven, and we are released from the fear and penalty of death. We have the promise of an eternal home with the Creator of the universe and His beloved Son, Jesus, who redeemed us. And, we have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to guide, guard and give us peace that passes all understanding.

What great reasons to laugh and sing songs of joy!

Prayer:  It’s difficult to understand, Lord, why there are so many days we fail to laugh and rejoice. Bring us all some humor today! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

Unshaken!

Watching the occasional stories of the construction of the new World Trade Center in New York was a fascinating experience. Did you notice, however, that before they could go up, they had to go down - way down? It is an obvious law of gravity as well as one of construction: The only way to assure that a building will survive an earthquake or strong winds during a storm is to build it on a foundation that is firm. And only a life that has a firm foundation will be able to withstand the storms and tests of time and life.

Many of us, unfortunately, give little thought to this critical fact of life. We put all of our time and treasures into the “visible” parts of our life and neglect and ignore our foundation.

But storms and tests come to everyone. They are inevitable. They come in the form of troubles and tragedies, suffering and sickness, loss and grief. Regardless of the amount we invest in the “superstructure,” life will collapse without a firm foundation.

So, we all face the same question: What is essential for the foundation of a life that will survive the storms and tests of life? A wise “builder” put it in one sentence: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever!”

Those who put their “trust in the Lord” are not only secure and safe but guarded and grounded in the One who created Mount Zion. In emphasizing this fact, the Psalmist continued his explanation of this by adding, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and always.”

What an incredible picture: The God who pushed mountains from the floor of the earth to surround and protect His children in Jerusalem is waiting to surround and protect us from the disasters of life. If we want a solid foundation, we have it: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid: Christ Jesus!”

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for the assurance of Your protection, presence, and power that guarantee our safety throughout life. You are a firm foundation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. Psalm 125:1

Free For Now

Two longtime friends were quail hunting - one was a Christian, the other was not a believer. “Why,” said the nonbeliever, “is it that the devil always seems to find and tempt you to do the wrong thing and he never bothers me?”

“Oh, you don’t understand it,” replied his friend. “You see the devil has you and now he spends his time trying to get me back. It’s like hunting for quail. We’re not after the dead ones. We want those that are still alive. You see, you’re dead and the devil doesn’t have to worry about you. But he wants me back!”

All Christians face the dangers of temptation that come from the devil. Even Jesus was constantly being tempted and tested. We must always remember that being tempted is not a sin. Sin “happens” when we yield to the temptation.

We must also remember that when we are tempted, it is the devil who tempts us. The Lord does not tempt anyone, and it is through His power that we can resist any temptation that comes our way. It is the devil who is the source of the temptation.

That’s his business, and he is very successful at what he does. It is a good thing to remember that mice do not like traps but are caught when the power of the bait overcomes them. He knows the “bait” that is most likely to tempt and trap us to sin and will use any friend or foe, picture or place to his advantage.

David put it this way: “Praise be to the Lord...we have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare...Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We are always going to be tempted. We have years of experience to prove that fact. But we also have the power of God’s Word to protect us. As Paul said, “There is no temptation that you cannot bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Escape is always possible.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your strength and power that enables us to escape the temptation to sin. Help us to rely on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:7-8

Look Up!

It was a bright summer day. The waves were stable, and the winds gentle. It was a perfect day for sailing.

Rod decided to take his young son with him to enjoy a day on the ocean in his new sailboat. Not long after they left the dock, he heard Little Ben’s voice screaming, “Dad, help me. Dad, I’m afraid. Dad, save me.”

Looking around he could not see him anywhere on deck. Suddenly, he turned his eyes upward, and there was Little Ben at the top of the mast. “If you don’t come to get me, I’m going to fall!” he shouted.

“Don’t look down, Son. Whatever you do, don't look down. Look up. Hold the ladder steps tightly, look up toward the sky and take one step at a time beneath you until you reach the deck.”

Little Ben did what he was told and returned safely to the arms of his dad. Ben looked up just as the Psalmist did: “I will lift up my eyes to You, to You who sit enthroned in heaven.”

Do you need to “lift up your eyes to God?” Recall the story of Peter. He and the other disciples were fighting heavy seas and strong winds. Jesus came to them walking on water. They screamed in terror. So, He said to them, “Don’t be afraid!”

Peter said, “If it’s really You, tell me to come to You walking on water.” Jesus said, “It’s me. Come on.” And he did.

Peter went over the side of the boat and began walking on water. But when he realized what he had done and the size of the waves, he got scared, and shouted, “Save me, Lord.”

And Jesus did.

To look at circumstances always distress us. To look to our friends may disappoint us. To look at ourselves will discourage us. To look up to the Lord will bring us deliverance.

Prayer:  Teach us to look up to You in trust, Lord, when the storms of life are raging. Help us to remember that You are always there to rescue us!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  I will lift up my eyes to You, to You who sit enthroned in heaven. Psalm 123:1