September 20

Taken Captive by the Devil To Do the Devil’s Will!

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
— 2 Timothy 2:26

Every once in a while in the local church, someone gets so bent out of shape and upset with the church leadership that he behaves in a way that is shocking to everyone. Often this person has served faithfully in the past; yet suddenly he becomes a raging torrent — accusing the pastor, getting upset with the pastoral staff, and trying to stir up as much trouble as possible. The amazing thing is that this person is usually blind to how ugly and ungodly his behavior really is. Often the person even thinks he’s doing the will of God by pointing out the flaws of the church leadership!

Timothy was having similar troubles with several people in his own congregation. Paul referred to this predicament when he wrote that some people in his church were “…taken captive by him [the devil] at his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

The words “taken captive” are from the Greek word zoogreo, which means to take an animal alive. It is the picture of putting an animal in a cage or behind bars at the zoo. This means people who are behaving this way are themselves victims — somehow caught and trapped by the devil, caged in resentment or bitterness that drives them to act in a fashion that is inconsistent with who they really are!

When Paul says “taken captive by him [the devil] at his will,” it could be better rendered:

“…who are taken captive by him [the devil] to carry out the devil’s will.”

Here we see a picture of a believer whose emotions the devil has manipulated until the person himself becomes the source of strife, discord, and subversion in the church, all the while thinking that he is doing the will of God. This is a deceived believer, captured by the enemy and now working for the devil to disrupt the local church!

Offense is usually the entry point the devil uses to seduce a believer into this behavior. And it’s amazing just how quickly a dart of offense from the enemy can be thrown into a person’s heart. Equally amazing is the speed in which just one of his evil darts can change that person’s perspective of someone he used to honor and respect! In a matter of seconds, his entire view of that other person can become adversely affected.

Like the dripping of water, the devil begins to repeatedly strike a person’s mind with accusations against the one who was once so revered. Let’s say the one accused is the person’s pastor. The enemy might pound that person’s mind with false allegations such as these:

When the enemy is attacking the mind and emotions in this way, the victim often doesn’t realize that deception is trying to creep into his heart. He is falling into the devil’s trap and doesn’t even know it! At the moment it is happening, the person really believes that what he is thinking and doing is right. This is a classic example of a believer taken captive by the devil to do the devil’s will. This believer truthfully believes he is acting in a right spirit and executing the will of God as he rebels against his God-ordained authority.

Thankfully, God can deal with that person’s heart and reveal how wrong he is, and his relationship with his authority can be completely restored. However, restoration in these kinds of cases is a rare occurrence. The damage is usually so severe that people are left deeply wounded — which is precisely the objective the devil wants to accomplish!

Let me give you this advice to help you avoid ever being caught in this devilish deception. Whenever something becomes a major issue between you and someone else, you would be wise to back up and reexamine what you are upset about. So often the person you are upset with is someone you love and need in your life. Therefore, ask yourself these questions:

I have discovered from my own experience through the years that the devil is constantly seeking opportune moments to wedge bad feelings between people. He is a master at embellishing real or imagined offenses until they become inflated and larger than life. And he knows just when to “sock it to you”!

So slow down, calm down, and give yourself a little time to think and pray before you start accusing someone. It would be a good idea to find a friend who will be honest with you. Ask that friend to tell you the truth about what you are feeling and about how you are behaving. A good dose of honesty from a truthful friend might be exactly what you need to wake you up to what the devil is trying to do in you and through you!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I never want the devil to take me captive to do his will in my church or place of employment. He is an accuser, so if I am tempted to accuse and slander, it means that the devil is trying to work through me. Give me the ability to recognize this strategy of the enemy as soon as it starts, and to put on the brakes before I get so embroiled in a conflict that I can’t see or think correctly. Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of Truth, so please enable me to both see and to hear the truth about myself, because I want to stay free!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am free from the deception of the devil! My mind is renewed to the truth of God’s Word. My mind thinks straight and clearly, and I am sound and balanced in my perspective of the situations I face in life. I am teachable when my friends tell me the truth, helping me see when I am getting too upset about things that aren’t so important. Therefore, I’m able to walk free of the devil’s snare and stay balanced in my emotions because of the Word that works mightily in me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Has there ever been a moment in your life when the devil trapped you emotionally and used you to stir up trouble? Were you later very regretful for your negative role in that situation? Did you ever go back and apologize for what you did?

2. Have you ever seen someone else fall in this trap at your church or place of employment? At the time this incident occurred, did you recognize that the person acting so destructively was literally captured in his mind and emotions?

3. If the person being used by the devil won’t listen to those who are over him or her, what actions do you think his authorities should take in response to his or her behavior?

September 20

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
— 2 Timothy 1:2

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by what you were facing in life? I’m sure the answer to that question is yes. And certainly you know that you are not the only person who has faced what felt like insurmountable odds. There have been millions before you who felt the same, but with God’s help, they survived, tackled the odds, and even came out on top.

Tough times come to everyone at some point, but the storm eventually passes for those who are determined to navigate it God’s way. And to help His people “get to the other side” safely, God provides special mercy for the overwhelmed. That’s what I want to show you in Scripture today.

The apostle Paul wrote the epistle we call Second Timothy at a time when his young son in the faith was facing insurmountable odds. Nero was ruling as emperor; believers were being persecuted for their faith; many people were deserting the Lord; and others were defecting from the Church. At the moment that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, Timothy was serving as pastor in Ephesus — a major city in Asia where persecution was raging. Surviving every day was a challenge for believers in that region, and Christian leaders, of course, especially felt the brunt of it. By reading the words of Second Timothy, it is clear that Paul was trying to comfort the overwhelmed heart of this young Christian leader and provide him with some spiritual help and strength.

In the opening lines of that letter, Paul wrote, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:1,2).

When Paul wrote a letter, he normally used a greeting that included the words grace and peace. Paul deviated from that greeting only three times out of all his 13 New Testament letters. The first instance was in First Timothy; the second was in his epistle to Titus; and the third was here in Second Timothy 1:2. In all three of these instances, Paul was writing to someone who felt overwhelmed by their situation. In each of those instances, Paul added the word mercy to his greetings. He told them, “Grace and mercy and peace be unto you.”

When Paul penned his first epistle to Timothy, the younger minister had just assumed the leading role in the rapidly growing church of Ephesus, and he felt overwhelmed by his new responsibilities. Because of the awesome task at hand, Timothy needed to be reminded that God’s mercy was available to help him in his situation. So when Paul wrote to Timothy the first time, he added the word “mercy” to his salutation.

When Paul wrote to Titus, he had just left Titus on the island of Crete to establish a church among the island’s unruly inhabitants. The people of Crete had such bad reputations that Paul even quoted one of their prophets as saying, “The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” Amazingly, Paul agreed with this assessment, asserting, “This witness is true…” (Titus 1:12,13). It would have been very difficult for Titus to lead a congregation among people like that! Titus surely felt overwhelmed by his assignment. He needed to know that a special measure of mercy was available to him for his difficult task. So when Paul wrote to him, he added the word “mercy” to his salutation.

When Paul wrote Second Timothy, Timothy was once again feeling overwhelmed — not because of a large, growing church, as had been the case in Paul’s first letter to him, but because his congregation was in decline, people were suffering persecution, and a spirit of fear was trying to attach itself to him (see 2 Timothy 1:7). So when Paul wrote to him, he again altered his salutation to include the word mercy. Right from the start of his letter, he wanted to remind Timothy that God’s mercy was available to the overwhelmed, so Paul wrote, “Grace, mercy, and peace.”

Isn’t it good to know that when God calls you to do something difficult — something that threatens to overwhelm you or make you feel inadequate — He inserts extra mercy between the grace and the peace? There is a special measure of mercy to those who feel overwhelmed by their trials in life. This was especially good news for young Timothy, and it’s good news for you too!

When God’s mercy works in your life, it may manifest as a renewed sense of courage and inner toughness to make it to the next day. That may not seem very spectacular — but think how much more difficult it would be if you didn’t have that special touch of mercy!

It would be good for you to reflect on the ways you’ve already experienced God’s special mercy during difficult times in your life or in the lives of others. When you bring to your remembrance those times His mercy was demonstrated in your life right at the moment it was needed, it fortifies your expectation to receive a manifestation of God’s mercy in the midst of your present challenge as well.

If you feel overwhelmed by what you are facing in life, I want to assure you that God is well aware of it and He has not abandoned you. Whether the issue is financial, relational, work-related, health-related — whatever may be the root cause of what you are facing, you can be assured of this: God has special mercy that He is ready to make available to help you through this difficult time. Thank God for His grace and peace — but if you are feeling overwhelmed, receive by faith His special mercy to help you make it through victoriously to the other side!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I am so grateful that when You call me to do something difficult and it tempts me to feel inadequate, You insert extra mercy between the grace and the peace in my life. Holy Spirit, I receive a special measure of mercy to undergird me in the times when I feel overwhelmed by the trials of life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that when my heart is overwhelmed, I go to the Rock of my salvation to partake of His mercies that are new for me every morning. I confess that His mercy is at work in my life right now. Today I walk with a renewed sense of courage, persistence, and inner toughness because God’s all-sufficient grace, mercy, and peace are being multiplied to me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you recall a time when you were especially overwhelmed by events in life and you experienced God’s mercy in a special way that helped you make it through that difficult season? How did God demonstrate His goodness to you in that time?
  2. Have you ever observed someone who received a special touch of God’s mercy? What was the manifestation of that mercy? What was its effect on that person’s life?
  3. What are you facing right now that makes you a candidate for another dose of God’s special mercy? Since God is always willing to give you a special touch of His mercy, why don’t you open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to minister that to your heart and soul today?

September 19

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
— 1 Corinthians 3:7

What has God called you to do that you never dreamed you would be doing? I’ve learned that as we walk with God as our most important Partner in life, we often find ourselves doing what we would have never thought possible.

In 1992 — just after relocating my family to live and minister in the former USSR in the fall of 1991 — God miraculously opened a door for Denise and me to begin a television broadcast that would transcend the 11 time zones of the former USSR. (This was launched with the signing of a supernatural contract, as I related in the July 5 Gem.) We didn’t realize at the time that our step of faith to start that one program was actually the inception of what would become the first Christian TV network in the territory of the former USSR.

Decades later, we are still broadcasting our own TV programs in addition to other programs that we broadcast for other ministries. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, we broadcast to a viewing audience of millions of people! Over all these years, we have literally broadcasted hundreds of thousands of hours of Bible-teaching TV programs all across this vast land. By the grace of God, I am thoroughly convinced that it has made a permanent impact on the spiritual environment of the former USSR. So much teaching of the Bible has gone into homes that the Church in this part of the world will never be the same.

Since we started broadcasting in 1992, we have received millions of letters and correspondence from people whose lives have been changed by the powerful teaching of God’s Word via the airwaves. It is no exaggeration to state that several million people have come to Christ as a result of our television network. Books have been distributed free of charge by the millions. We give all the glory to God for what has happened and for what will ensue, and we are thankful for the gifts of our partners who have worked hand in hand with us so we could establish and continue to fulfill this mighty work.

To do all of this has taken faith, courage, finances, equipment, a skilled technical team, and a group of giving partners who have stood by us through the years so we could consistently and professionally reach the multitudes who live in spiritual darkness. In addition to the technical expertise needed, this assignment has also required a large team of dedicated employees who read and answer every single letter that is received from those who correspond in response to the programs.

This is no small undertaking and requires a “1,000-percent” commitment from everyone involved, despite the obstacles and setbacks that invariably occur with such a monumental task. Hell does not sit silent as you take the life-saving message to those in darkness, so you must also stand ready to combat spiritual enemies that come to oppose you. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that God’s mercy and grace remain the most important factor in this mix!

We can buy the finest equipment, produce the highest quality programs, and purchase the best time slots available on television — but if God doesn’t supply His part, it will all be to no avail. I am reminded of Psalm 127:1, which states: “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

In First Corinthians 3:7, Paul also stated this truth: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” As we saw in the July 5 Sparkling Gem, the word “increase” is from the Greek word auxano, which simply means to increase or grow — and in this context indicates the continual blessing of God.

But let me go into greater detail today concerning this word “increase.” The form of the Greek word auxano that Paul used to write this passage denotes something that is amplified, augmented, enlarged, or enhanced. It carries the idea of something that escalates and multiplies. It clearly means that even though one plants and another waters, it is God who causes the vision to blossom, to become larger, and to grow strong and healthy.

Another way to say it is that we can nurture the soil, plant the seeds, and water what has been planted, but only God can produce the sunshine and weather conditions to cause growth. Therefore, even with all the faithful people who do their essential parts, God is still the most important Partner in whatever it is we are called to do!

So whatever God has called you to do, give it your very best, but never forget the crucial role of prayer and the reality of your utter dependence on God as your number-one Partner in life. Just like a farmer, you can prepare the ground and plant the seed of God’s Word; then you can water and nurture the seed that was sown. But only God can produce the sunshine and weather conditions necessary to bring the growth that is needed. Therefore, in the end, He gets the glory for all increase!

Today I urge you to make sure you have these two essential ingredients — prayer and complete trust in God — thoroughly integrated into the mix of what you are doing. Remember that you have no Partner comparable to the One who called you, for He is the ultimate Source of all true increase!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Dear Father, I thank You for reminding me again today that even as I do my part, I have to always remember that I must trust You to do Your part or no increase will come to what You have called me to do. I promise to nurture the soil, plant the seed, pull the weeds, and water what is planted — but I look to You to provide the sunshine and proper weather conditions to produce the increase I need. I understand that one plants, another waters — but only You give the increase. Thank You for bringing this back to the forefront of my mind today and for encouraging me to remember that You are the crucial ingredient in all that I do! In the end, we can do all our parts, but the increase is totally dependent on You!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I boldly confess that I will do what God has asked me to do. I will nurture the soil, plant the seeds, pull the weeds, and water what has been planted — and I will do it faithfully with others who work alongside with me. But no results will be gained if God does not join Himself to what we are doing. So today I look to God as the great Provider of increase. He will provide the sunshine and weather necessary to make these seeds and acts of faith grow. Without Him, I can do nothing, but with God as my primary Partner, it is guaranteed that I will see and experience increase!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever attempted something without God’s involvement and experienced poor results? Perhaps you put time, energy, and attention into the project but forgot to bring God into the planning? What did you learn from that experience? What will you do to prevent that from happening again?
  2. On the other hand, can you name a time when you remembered that God is your primary Partner? As you did your part while leaning upon God as your Partner, how did you experience supernatural increase?
  3. From what you have read today, what changes are you going to make in the tasks and projects that are in front of you? What difference will this Sparkling Gem make in the way you do things?

September 19

Location, Location, Location!

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
— Hebrews 11:6

All over the world, the golden rule of real estate is location, location, location. Property situated in the best areas is most desirable because it has the greatest value and demands the highest prices. Even though residences in other areas may be more beautiful and even have larger yards, they simply can’t demand the same high prices as residences situated in better locations.

My family and I live minutes from the Moscow Kremlin where the seat of government resides and where the beautiful Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral are located. Apartments here are older and smaller, but this area is in the very center of Moscow and is considered prestigious because it is so close to the seat of power. Therefore, property and rental values in this area are much higher.

I recently drove outside the city limits to see the fabulous new homes being built by Russia’s brand-new, emerging middle class. When I asked how much these homes could be purchased for, I was stunned to discover that their selling price is a fraction of what smaller apartments cost in the neighborhood where we live. However, if we lived outside the city, we would have to fight traffic for an hour and a half every morning on the way to the office; then we’d have to do it all over again every night on the way home! That’s another reason why the homes located outside the city are cheaper. Living near the center of the city is much easier, more convenient, and more productive.

As I drove back into the city after looking at these country homes, I started thinking about the contrast between living inside and outside of the city. As I pondered this subject, I found my mind going to Hebrews 11:6, which says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him….”

The word “without” comes from the Greek word choris, which means to be outside of something, such as someone who lives outside the perimeters of a city. It is a comparison between being outside or inside something — for example, in the house or out of the house; in the yard or out of the yard; or in the car or out of the car. The word choris depicts someone who is out of, not in, a specific location.

Because this word is used in connection with faith, the writer of Hebrews is letting us know that we can live in faith or out of faith. This means faith must be a real place that has borders, perimeters, and boundaries. Just as you can live in the city or out of the city, you can live in faith or outside of faith. The determining factor is your obedience to the assignment God has given you. God wants you to be located at the address of faith — for this is the location He deems the most valuable and profitable for your life.

Hebrews 11:6 could be accurately rendered:

“When you live outside of faith — living beyond its boundaries and perimeters — you make it impossible to please Him….”

To determine if you are in or out of faith, you must ask yourself these questions:

That place where God called you; that place requiring your obedience, faith, and patience; that place where you are confident God wants you to be working and functioning — that is the address of faith where God wants you to live. As long as you stay “in” that place where God told you to be, you are “in” faith and you therefore please God. But the day you give up and move “out” of that place of faith, you are moving to cheaper territory that God doesn’t value as highly — a location where you will experience the hardships and inconveniences of poor choices and defeat.

The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews is about men and women who lived “in” faith. They each received a word from God for their lives or for their generation. Although it was difficult to do, they held tightly to their mandate from Heaven. As a result, they changed their generations and pleased God. Faith was the location where they lived — and because they stayed in that place where God had called them to be, they brought great pleasure to Him.

But the only way to stay “in” faith is to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus! The devil will try to discourage you from being steadfast and faithful. He’ll orchestrate situations to make you take your eyes off Jesus and to fill you with worry and fear. If you let the enemy’s plan work, it won’t be long before your bags will be packed and you’ll be changing locations — moving “out” of faith to low-level areas of defeat where you will not please God.

But you don’t have to let that plan work! You never have to leave the address of faith where God wants you to live! Just refuse to allow the devil to persuade you to fix your eyes on the circumstances. Don’t take the enemy’s path that leads straight “out” of faith.

For those who stay in faith, there is a reward. That is why Hebrews 11:6 says that God is a “rewarder.” For those who continually live at the address of faith — who refuse to be moved by circumstances; who adamantly reject any inclination to throw in the towel and to give up; who rebuff any temptation or pull to let go of the word God gave them — it is just a matter of time until their faith is rewarded. They will receive the full manifestation of what they believe!

Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say that God “…is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” You see, it takes diligence to stay in faith! It will require you to be focused, concentrated, and committed to the end. When circumstances try to knock you “out” of faith, you must have a fierce, unwavering commitment that you are not going to leave where God called you.

The reason most people fail is that they weren’t really committed from the very beginning. That’s why the devil eventually found a way to move them “out” of that place of faith. One great man of God said, “Anything that ends in a fizzle had a flaw in it from the beginning.” So make sure there are no fatal flaws in you that will knock you out down the road!

I assure you that if you see anyone consistently living at the address of faith, that person has persistently pursued that goal. You see, living “in” faith cannot be a sideline issue in your life. It must have your complete, undivided attention. For you to stay “in” faith, you must be constant. You definitely must be persistent. Your commitment to live and walk in faith must be unbending and immovable.

Make the decision that there is no turning back from where God has called you. God promises that if you stay “in” faith, there is a glorious reward awaiting you in the near future. It’s only a matter of time until the full manifestation of what you believe will come into view!

So make every effort to stay at your address of faith. You are living in the most valuable, beneficial place for your life. You are living where God can bless you!

Since location determines everything else, why don’t you take a few minutes today to assess your life? See if you are properly located “in” or “out” of faith. If you find that you are “out” of faith, make the goal of getting “in” faith your most important priority. The outcome of every other area of your life will be determined by this one decision!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, help me stick with the assignment You have given me for my life. I know that is where I am supposed to be — and I know that is what I am supposed to be doing. Forgive me for vacillating back and forth, in and out, backward and forward. I am asking You to help me become single-minded, concentrated, and focused in my determination never to move out of faith again. I want to live at the address of faith, for I know that is where I will please You the most. Holy Spirit, empower me to push aside every distraction of the devil and to remain fixed and focused on doing exactly what God has instructed me to do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I live “in” faith. Although Satan tries to use situations to distract me and dissuade me from staying in faith, I have resolved that I am never moving from the place where God has called me to be. I will never relinquish the dream He has put in my heart. I will stay in this place; I will use my faith; I will be steadfast, unwavering, and committed to seeing His promises come to pass in my life. Because I have made this decision, I am a person who pleases God!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Are you living at the address of faith? Or have you moved out of faith and into the neighborhood of doubt and unbelief, where you know that you are no longer pleasing God?

2. How has the devil tried to distract and dissuade you from staying “in” faith? What people or situations has he used to try to pull you out of faith and into the territory of disobedience and unbelief?

3. What are you going to do to reinforce yourself spiritually so you can remain “in” faith until you see the full manifestation of what God has promised to you?

September 18

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
— Ephesians 5:16

It’s interesting to me that the most successful of wealthy investors and a homeless, penniless man on the street have one thing in common: Each has only 24 hours in a day.

In this natural world, time is the very essence of our lives. To a large degree, the way we use time defines who we are. Because that is true, the issue of how we utilize our time becomes supremely important.

It’s true that the way we utilize our money is a measuring rod of what we value most in life. But although financial stewardship is important, the way we spend our time is even more important. For example, many wealthy moguls will ignore their families for weeks, months, and even years, and then try to “buy” the affections of their loved ones with money and material wealth. This is rarely, if ever, a successful undertaking. It seems that no amount of money they spend can compete with spending their most precious commodity — time — on the ones they love.

Time is one of our most valuable resources. Money can be replaced. Financial shortfalls can be made up in the following quarter or fiscal year. But nothing can replace time. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.

The good news is that the apostle Paul said we can “redeem the time” (see Ephesians 5:16). The word “redeem” is the Greek word exagoridzo, which in this context means to buy back time. You may have lost time by merely wasting it or by using it on things that weren’t important. But the great story of redemption is that your story isn’t over. With God’s help, time can be redeemed — that is, bought back by personal carefulness and by stewarding what time remains.

Today we live in an age of distractions. It’s not that we’re necessarily idle or lazy. But so many things vie for our time and attention that we can become distracted from important and essential things. For example, nonstop media entertainment and electronic gadgets fill our modern lives, constantly luring us away from the truly important things of life. Part of the act of prioritizing is identifying these types of time-wasters and eliminating them from our routines — or at least reducing the amount of time we spend focusing on those activities.

Media and gadgets are not bad or wrong in themselves, but often they take far too much of our time from matters that should be our real priorities, such as time with the Lord, family, work, and friends. The key is balancing all our priorities, and that means knowing what needs to be done at what time and being able to put other things on hold that are nonessential or less important at the moment.

The ability to properly manage your time and to establish sound, balanced priorities is one of the most critical keys to experiencing a stable, fruitful life as a believer and a leader. So I encourage you today to prioritize your time by carefully identifying the things that are most essential to your life. Once you’ve determined your top priorities, focus on those areas and let other, less important pursuits fall into place beneath what you truly value most. As you learn to use your time wisely, not squandering it but making the most of the life God has given you, you will surely find the fulfillment He desires you to experience in every area of your life.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I ask You to help me understand what my top priorities should be and then give me the discipline to live according to those guidelines. Help me discern when something is actually a distraction that will pull me off task so I don’t become entangled in activities that are either unnecessary or possibly even a hindrance to the main thing You want me to accomplish. I repent for the times I have allowed procrastination and laziness to waste valuable time. Those are not habits that I want to continue in my life. Teach me to focus and prioritize as You help me cultivate new habits and patterns that produce Your desired results in my life. Today I make a fresh commitment to steward my time with diligence and to trust You to guide my choices so I can make the most of every moment.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am diligent, productive, and undistracted as I give my time and attention to the most important priorities in my life. I maintain keen focus on the assignment before me. I keep my ears open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance to follow His wisdom in all I set out to do. Therefore, I am productive and organized. I believe that I receive lasting fruitfulness as the reward of how I invest my time.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you think of time-wasters in your life? Is it too much time on the Internet, texting people, or watching television? What is there in your life that is taking too much of your precious time and thereby robbing you of the ability to be more productive in the areas that matter most?
  2. Have you ever asked the Lord to help you form a set of priorities for your life? If yes, do you live by that list of priorities? If not, why not?
  3. How many hours a day do you spend on less important pursuits that should be used more productively?

September 18

Never Forget How Good God Has Been to You!

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
— Hebrews 3:9

What kind of impact do you think it would have on your life if you personally witnessed a continuous stream of nonstop miracles in your life? Would you like to have that kind of experience?

Well, that is exactly what happened to the children of Israel when they left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for forty years. This is what Hebrews 3:9 is referring to when it says, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

Let’s see what the Bible means when it says the children of Israel “tempted” God. The word “tempted” comes from the Greek word peiradzo, an old Greek word that means to put to the test. It means to test an object to see if its quality is as good as others have claimed, boasted, or advertised. For instance, if you hear that a certain product is the finest of its kind in the world, it would be natural for you to want to check out and test the product to verify whether or not it really lives up to its claims. That is exactly the idea of the word peiradzo in Hebrews 3:9.

The children of Israel were in a situation that demanded miraculous intervention. If they hadn’t had the divine intervention of God, they would never have survived their flight from Egypt or their years in the wilderness. Their circumstances alone gave rise to a situation that allowed God to be tested — in other words, a situation that allowed God to demonstrate who He is and how faithful He is to His people. God had told the Israelites that He is good, so they “tested” Him, giving Him an opportunity to show that He is everything He declared Himself to be!

You can apply this same principle to your life. For instance, suppose you were in a tight financial jam. Although you didn’t intend to get into that financial mess, you found yourself in a situation where you needed to see the goodness of God! You had heard and believed that God is a supernatural Provider; therefore, in a certain sense, your situation created a moment when God’s goodness and delivering power could be tested. This situation would be the equivalent of you saying, “Lord, You say that You are a great Provider, so I need You to show me who You are! Please provide for me now in this situation!”

The many challenges the Israelites faced put them in a position in which they had to see the deliverance of God — and each situation put God in a position to prove who He was to them. That is why the verse goes on to say that the children of Israel “proved” God. The word “proved” is taken from the Greek word dokimadzo, which describes something that has been tested and found to be true and genuine. It can be also translated as something that is authentic, reliable, approved, trustworthy, and real.

Moses had declared the goodness of God to the children of Israel, but each challenge they faced gave God an opportunity to prove that He is exactly as Moses had declared Him to be. In each predicament, they found God to be faithful, true, and steadfast. Never once did God fail them or fail to live up to the reputation of His name. They personally witnessed His goodness and the undeniable fact that He is trustworthy, reliable, and true.

In fact, Hebrews 3:9 says the Israelites “saw” God’s works for forty years. The word “saw” is the Greek word horao, which means to see. But in a broader sense, horao carries the idea of seeing, perceiving, understanding, experiencing, and assimilating into one’s self. This tells us that the children of Israel saw and experienced enough of God’s power to fully understand and assimilate it into their consciousness. Furthermore, the Greek grammar describes a constant, continual, nonstop seeing and experiencing of God’s works during those forty years. They experienced this high-level power on a continuous basis — perhaps like no other generation before or after them.

We could discuss the supernatural provision and protection the Israelites experienced for many pages, but let’s just consider a sample of what they saw and experienced:

  1. The manna God provided to them for forty years.
  2. The quail that supernaturally came to them in the wilderness.
  3. The rock from which flowed enough water to nourish all of them.

Let’s assume that the Israelites numbered about 3,000,000 people, which is what many Bible scholars estimate. In that case, do you know how much manna was needed to feed the children of Israel in the wilderness? One scholar has estimated that they needed 4,500 tons of manna every day! If this is true, and if you take into account that God fed His people every day for 40 years, this means 65,700,000 tons of manna supernaturally appeared on the ground over a period of forty years!

This manna appeared so regularly, so faithfully, so “day in and day out,” that after a while, the children of Israel didn’t even think too much of it anymore. Supernatural provision became so commonplace among them that they forgot how supernatural it was and began to accept it as a normal, regular occurrence. During those forty years, young children were born and grew up thinking it was normal for 4,500 tons of manna to appear each morning out of thin air (see Exodus 16)!

What do you think would happen if your city woke up tomorrow to find 4,500 tons of beautiful, freshly baked, nourishing manna lying on the ground all over the city, free to anyone who wanted to go out, pick it up, and take it home? It would be huge news! Scientists would fly from around the world to see it, study it, and taste it. Journalists would write about it, and major news programs would cover the story. It would be a worldwide sensation. But for the children of Israel, this was an event that occurred every morning!

Do you remember when God sent the quail to feed the children of Israel? How many quail do you think it would take to feed that massive group of Israelites for thirty days a month? Let me tell you how many: It would take at least 90,000,000 quail. That’s right — if each Israelite ate only one quail a day, in one month it would amount to 90,000,000 quail. If they ate two quail a day, the total number needed to feed them all for thirty days would rise to 180,000,000 quail. That’s how many quail it took to feed that crowd of three million Israelites in a thirty-day period. Needless to say, this was an incredible supernatural provision of God!

Remember, the Israelites were in the middle of the wilderness. It was not a natural place for quail to show up! But suddenly, they heard a noise in the distance and looked up. There in the sky overhead they saw millions of quail flying in from out of nowhere and landing in their camp. What would be the odds of such a thing happening in the natural?

Try to imagine what that many millions of quail flying right over your head would look like. The thick clouds of quail must have been dense enough to nearly block the people’s view of the sun! Or try to imagine millions of quail flying right into the camp where you are living for thirty days, landing conveniently at your feet as if to say, “Please eat me!”

Where did all these quail come from? They certainly didn’t fly in from the wilderness. How far did these birds have to travel to reach the children of Israel? From what distance did God supernaturally call in the quail to feed the children of Israel?

This phenomenon simply could not be naturally explained. It was a supernatural provision. It was just as miraculous as the 4,500 tons of manna that miraculously appeared on the ground every morning for forty years.

How about the water that came out of the rock to meet the Israelites’ need for water in the wilderness? Do you have any idea how much water it would take to support three million Israelites in the blistering hot temperatures of the wilderness? You also have to take into account all the animals that needed to be nourished with water.

Keep in mind that God’s people were in a dry, arid wilderness. It was a barren place — a desert! The only available source of water was bitter and undrinkable; there was no natural source of water to nourish that huge crowd of people. And consider the amount of water it would have taken to adequately nourish 3,000,000 people and all the animals in the hot temperatures of the wilderness. It would have required up to 15,000,000 gallons of water every day just to meet their basic needs for existence!

Water was especially crucial in that extremely hot climate. Both people and animals needed much more water than they normally would. Without water, they would have dried up and died in the wilderness. But because there was no natural source of water, it had to be provided for them supernaturally.

So God told Moses to strike the rock (see Exodus 17). When Moses obeyed, water began to supernaturally flow from the midst of that rock. And once water started to flow, it continued to flow and flow and flow, providing all the water needed by the people of God. One week’s supply would equal approximately 100,000,000 gallons of water!

You would think that after living in this kind of supernatural provision day in and day out for more than forty years, the children of Israel would be alive to the things of God. After experiencing this kind of miraculous supply on such a continual basis, they should have trusted the Lord and found it easy to follow Him. Hadn’t He always proven Himself faithful to them? Hadn’t He always supernaturally provided what they needed when there was no natural provision to be found? What a privileged generation they were to see such marvelous acts of God!

But in spite of all the Israelites had seen, experienced, and assimilated about God’s goodness, they became hardhearted. Hebrews 3:8 therefore warns us not to be like them, saying, “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”

The word “harden” is the Greek word skleruno, a medical term that described something hard, such as a callus. It could also denote a limb that is so stiff, it is difficult to move. Thus, this word is often translated stiff-necked. It was also used to describe the hardened soil of the desert — soil that was so hardened that water was unable to penetrate it and instead rolled right off. As time progressed, the word skleruno came to depict a person who was thick-skinned, indifferent, or insensitive.

Could it be that after seeing God perform so many wonderful works, the people became numb to and unappreciative of demonstrations of His power? Is it possible that they became calloused to the goodness of God because He had showered them with so much goodness? Did the supernatural demonstrations that were once considered wonders become such common occurrences that such miracles didn’t even make an impression on God’s people anymore?

It seems that the Israelites became like spoiled children, not even acknowledging how gracious God was to them or how miraculous their supply had been. The word “harden” seems to imply they became so calloused that nothing impressed them anymore. They became so stiff that even God couldn’t move them to obedience. No matter how much of God’s Spirit was poured out on them, His Presence just rolled off them, unable to penetrate their hard hearts. They became indifferent, insensitive, and unthankful, constantly complaining and bickering among themselves and with Moses about God’s provision.

You may ask, “How could they become so hardhearted after all that God had done for them?” But take a moment to apply this same question to yourself. Let me tell you, it doesn’t take forty years for any of us to become hardhearted and ungrateful!

If you honestly evaluate your own life, you may find yourself in this same sad condition. Consider how God has blessed you. He changed you, healed you, delivered you, rescued your family, gave you a new job, answered your prayers, and provided for you financially time and time again, showering you with blessing upon blessing over the years. In fact, you have probably lived in God’s constant, nonstop, miraculous provision much of your life.

Hasn’t your life been miraculously marked with the supernatural goodness, mercy, and provision of God? Yet are you still tempted to worry, fret, and doubt His faithfulness? How could it be possible that you would ever doubt God after all He has already proven to you?

Just as the children of Israel faced situations that gave rise to moments when God was put to the test, so do you. And every time, God passed the test! He proved Himself again and again, repeatedly demonstrating that He is reliable, trustworthy, and true. You have seen demonstrations of God’s goodness throughout your entire life. So raise your arms toward Heaven, open your mouth, and begin to acknowledge that it’s true!

Don’t you think it would be good for you to stop what you are doing and recount the blessings of God and express your eternal gratefulness to Him today? As you continually remind yourself of God’s goodness and do whatever else is necessary to maintain a thankful heart, you will avoid falling into the trap of becoming hardhearted and stiff-necked like the children of Israel.

Don’t be classified with those who murmured, complained, and didn’t trust God. Be counted among those who are grateful and thankful, who trust God to be exactly who He has declared Himself to be. God is good to you — and don’t ever let yourself forget it!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I am thankful for Your goodness in my life. You have saved me, delivered me, redeemed me, and changed me. My entire life is marked by Your supernatural goodness and mercy! It is true that You have showered me with nonstop blessings — and today I want to take this opportunity to thank You for every good thing You’ve done in my life. The situations I have faced in my life have put You to the test, and You have jumped at every chance to prove how good You are. In fact, Your goodness to me has been constant and never-ending. I praise You and thank You for loving me so much!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am grateful for and constantly aware of God’s goodness in my life. I have every reason to trust Him, for He has proven Himself to me again and again and I know He will never let me down. He has shown His goodness and mercy to me, and I am a recipient of His grace. I choose to lift up my hands, open my mouth, and declare the goodness of the Lord. The Bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” so I am saying so right now! Jesus, You are good, and Your mercy endures forever! Thank You for showering me with Your mercy and Your might!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. As you read today’s Sparkling Gem, did you begin to think of all the times God has supernaturally provided for your own life? It would be very beneficial for you to take a few minutes to reflect on all the times God has miraculously supplied what you needed.

2. Are you facing a challenge right now in your life? If so, do you find yourself rushing forward to believe and trust the Lord, or do you have to fight off fearful thoughts that God might not prove Himself faithful to you?

3. Is it possible that you have fallen into the same trap the children of Israel fell into? Have you had so many miraculous provisions in your life that you’ve begun to lose your appreciation for all that God has done for you? If the answer is yes, I advise you to take some time today to get into the Presence of God and make your heart right with Him.

September 17

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands….
— 1 Timothy 2:8

I can remember as a young boy when I would sit next to my Grandmother Bagley in church. I would take her hands in mine, and I’d run the tip of my index finger along the bulging blood vessels in her elderly hands. I was amazed at how I could push the vessels one way or the other, and how easily her wrinkly skin moved when I pressed against it. I was particularly fascinated by the liver spots that covered ever-increasing sections of the skin on her upper hand. As I looked at her hands, they told me that her life had not been an easy one.

I’ve always enjoyed looking at hands because the condition of people’s hands tells so many stories about their lives. If people have worked hard, manual-labor jobs over the course of their lives, it can be seen in their hands. If people have served in a top-level professional job, it can usually be detected in the softness they have been able to retain in their hands. Hands tell stories. They are indicative of one’s life.

Think of it! With our hands, we embrace loved ones; we work in our employment; we handle property; we make money; and we touch every sphere of our lives. There is nothing pertaining to our daily lives that we don’t put our hands to in some way.

With people’s hands, both good and evil is done. With hands, others are helped, sin is committed, and communication is carried out. Hands are required in every area of our lives, and they represent us in every way. Thus, our hands become symbolic of our lives.

The apostle Paul stated, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands…” (1 Timothy 2:8). When we lift our hands to Heaven, we therefore present everything we are, everything we have done, and everything we have to God. When you or I lift our hands in worship, we are lifting up our families, our loved ones, our relationships, our work, our money, and everything else to God.

But Paul specifically said that he wished all men everywhere would lift up “holy” hands. The word “holy” is the Greek word hosios, which describes something that is consecrated or dedicated to God. Thus, when Paul wrote of lifting up “holy” hands, he was expressing his deeply felt longing that men everywhere would present themselves as dedicated and consecrated to God.

When you lift your hands to Heaven, what does God see?

Paul’s prayer was that men everywhere would do whatever is necessary to present dedicated, consecrated, holy hands to the Lord — which means to present their dedicated, consecrated, holy lives to Him.

So pause for a moment today and look at your hands. What do you see when you look at them? An even bigger question is this: What does God see when He looks at your hands? One thing is for sure: Your hands are not just skin and bones — they are symbols of your life. So each day make sure that you lift up holy hands and give glory to your faithful God. Then offer your hands as holy instruments unto Him, to do His will and to reach out to others with His unconditional, unchanging love!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, You are stirring my heart today to offer myself to You as a holy instrument to do Your will. I realize now that the lifting of my hands to You represents bringing my life to You in yielded surrender. You are calling me to a higher level of dedication, and when I lift my hands to You, that action represents a life lifted in consecration to Your glory. When I look at my hands, help me think seriously about the adjustments I may need to make so I can lift up my life to You in worship with confidence and without compromise.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I proclaim that every day I dedicate myself more and more to Jesus. Today I make a fresh decision to live a life that is consecrated to the purposes of God. Every day I choose to set my attention and affection on Jesus and to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to me areas of my life that Jesus longs for me to surrender. I release those areas to His control and submit them to the Lordship of Christ. When I raise my hands in worship, I raise hands that represent purity, dedication, consecration, and total surrender to the will of God!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. The apostle Paul prayed for men to present themselves as living sacrifices, consecrated to God. Can you confidently say that your life is a consecrated life?
  2. What do you need to do differently and specifically to live a life of consecration? Take a moment to examine your heart and to determine those areas where you know that your ways do not line up with God’s ways. First John 1:9 tells you how to experience a deep cleansing by the blood of Jesus so you can dedicate your life to the Lord in a fuller way.
  3. What specifically did the Holy Spirit speak to you about today as you read this Sparkling Gem? What action is He leading you to take as a result?

September 17

Do You Know People Who Talk Out of Both Sides of Their Mouths?

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.
— 1 Timothy 3:8

Have you ever known a person who agreed with whomever he was talking to at the moment? When he was with you, he agreed with you. But when he was with someone else who had a different opinion, he agreed with that person. Did that person’s opinion fluctuate so quickly that it nearly shocked you?

It is very difficult to build trust with a person like this because you never know if he is really with you, or if he’s just agreeing with you to your face until he can turn around and disagree with you behind your back. This type of person’s lack of integrity makes it difficult to build a significant relationship with him.

Even if I don’t always like what the members of my ministry team say or think, their honesty is very important to me, for it guarantees truthful relationships. The day a staff member tells me one thing but then turns around and tells a fellow employee something else is the day my trust in that person is disrupted. The apostle Paul called this kind of person “double-tongued” (1 Timothy 3:8).

The Greek word for “double-tongued” is the word dilogos, which is a compound of the words di and logos. The word di means two, and the word logos means words. When compounded together, these two words form the word dilogos, which could be literally translated two-worded. It is the picture of a man or woman who says one thing to one person but a different thing to the next. In other words, people like this are inconsistent in what they tell others. They are so wishy-washy that their opinion is constantly fluctuating, depending on whom they are speaking to at the moment.

This is usually an indication that this person is a people-pleaser. Because he wants everyone to like him, he agrees with whomever he is with at the moment. This is a serious character flaw. In fact, First Timothy 3:8 forbids us from giving this kind of person any prominent place of leadership in the ministry. It is also a principle that should be taken into consideration when looking for a prospective leader in any church, business, or organization.

Truthfulness is necessary so trust can be built between leaders and followers. It is compulsory in marriages, in friendships, and in relationships between employers and employees or between a pastor and his leaders. If a long-term relationship is to be built, trust is not optional — it is essential.

If there is a person in your church, business, or organization who is constantly changing what he says depending on who he is with at the moment, I urge you not to elevate this person into a leadership role. That person doesn’t demonstrate the character that is required in leaders.

Being honest isn’t always easy. Often it is very difficult. But truthfulness is the clearest and most noble path. The challenge we face is learning how to “speak the truth in love” as Ephesians 4:15 commands us.

I’ve learned that the truth isn’t so difficult to hear; it is the way truth is sometimes spoken that can be difficult to hear. It is much easier to hear the truth if it is mixed with love, patience, and understanding. I think you know that cold water thrown in your face is not very enjoyable. In fact, it can be such a chilling experience that you may be tempted to throw it right back! So when you are the one speaking the truth to someone else, ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how to speak your opinion in a non-threatening and respectful manner.

In Ephesians 4:25, the apostle Paul commanded us, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour….” In Greek, the tense of the word “speak” points to habitual action. In other words, God wants you to develop the habit of always telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God! If you are guilty of agreeing with whomever you are talking to at the moment, it’s time for you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this weakness.

If your opinion is required, be sure to speak exactly what you think and believe. And before you speak, pray for grace to speak the truth kindly. Once you have said what you believe, stick to what you said. If you later decide you were wrong, go back to the person you talked to — your pastor, boss, friend, or so forth — and tell him that you’ve changed your position. That person will appreciate your honesty. On the other hand, if you tell one person one thing and then turn around and say something different to someone else, the first person you spoke with will not understand your behavior. He will view you as a hypocrite who cannot be trusted, as someone who is double-tongued.

But what if you are the leader, pastor, or employer, and you have someone working under your authority who is constantly switching what he says, depending on whom he is talking to? In that case, take Paul’s words to heart. Don’t promote that person to a higher level of responsibility until this habit has been broken. Don’t lay hands on a person who is double-tongued!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been two-faced and double-tongued, speaking different things to different people. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, I realize it is wrong to act this way with those who are over me in authority. They need to be able to rest assured that I am being truthful with them, and now I see that I have given them a cause to doubt my word. Forgive me, and please help me conquer this serious character flaw in my life. Holy Spirit, help me today to uproot this double-tongued tendency from my life. Teach me how to habitually speak the truth!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am not two-faced or double-tongued. When I speak, people know that my word is as good as gold. I do not change my opinion based on the person I am with or what others think of me. What I say I mean, and I am faithful to keep my word. Every day I am growing in grace — and God is making me stronger, better, more dependable, and more truthful every day. I am exactly the kind of person my authorities can rely on!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Do you know a person who is two-faced and double-tongued? Have you seen him sway back and forth in his opinions, depending on whom he is with at the time? How does this fluctuating behavior affect your opinion of that person?

2. Are you guilty of being double-tongued? Have you told your leader one thing and then said something different behind his back to people in the church, business, or organization? If your answer is yes, what does this reveal about your own character?

3. How should you help correct a person who is double-tongued? Do you think you should ignore that person’s dishonesty, or should you confront him in love and try to help him correct this character flaw in his life?

September 16

I Am in a Strait Betwixt Two

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.
— Philippians 1:23-25

Have you ever been so exhausted from the never-ending problems of life that the thought of dying and going to Heaven sounded like a wonderful dream? Maybe you imagined what it would be like to close your eyes, fall asleep, and wake up in the Presence of the Lord, never to awake again in this world. Have you ever had a moment when such thoughts seemed so wonderful that you wished the Lord would immediately call you home to Heaven?

Judging from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we can see that his heart was being heavily tugged toward Heaven while he was a prisoner in Rome. Paul was tired. He had already done more than anyone else could claim to have accomplished. He had suffered endlessly for his ministry. It would have been very easy for Paul to say, “Lord, I’m tired. I’ve done enough. I’m ready to go to Heaven. Please take me home!”

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he made it very clear that the temptation to leave life and to join the Lord was before him. His choice of words in Philippians 1:23-25 make it very evident that a choice was before him: to continue in the flesh so he could completely fulfill his ministry to the saints, or to depart this life and to be with the Lord. After thinking through these options, Paul made the choice to abide in the flesh and to continue his ministry a little longer.

Paul tells us about the inward struggle he felt as he decided whether to keep living or to die and join the Lord in Philippians 1:23. He writes, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”

When Paul writes that he is in a “strait betwixt two,” he uses the Greek word sunecho, which expresses the idea of a pressure being applied to a person from two different directions. This is a force that pulls a person first one way and then another, as if his arms are being pulled in two different directions by opponents in a fierce tug-of-war contest. However, the Greek word indicates that the person in the middle is the one who has the deciding vote as to who will win this tug-of-war.

Paul felt two different forces pulling at his heart. On the one side, he was pulled “…to depart, and to be with Christ….” On the other side, he was pulled “…to abide in the flesh…” a little longer in order to help other people and to totally fulfill the part of his calling that remained undone.

The strength of the pull toward Heaven is evident in Paul’s words in verse 23, where he writes that he has a “desire to depart.” The word “desire” is the Greek word epithumia, which is a compound of the words epi and thumos. The word epi means for or over, and thumos is the Greek word for a strong passion or urge. It usually denotes a swelling or growing emotion. But when the word thumos is compounded together with the word epi, forming the word epithumia, it depicts a person who is excited about something. This person is passionate about this idea; he is consumed with this thought! Because Paul uses this word, it emphatically lets us know that the prospect of departing from this world and going to Heaven to be with the Lord was a thrilling and exciting thought to Paul!

When Paul thought of death, he didn’t even think of dying as we think of it. Instead of thinking of the cessation of life, he looked upon death as nothing more than a departure that signaled the beginning of the next part of his journey in eternity. The word “depart” is the Greek word analusai, a Greek word which pictures a ship that is being loosed from its moorings so it can finally be free to sail.

No wonder Paul was excited! When he thought of death, to him it meant being set free from the human limitations and physical restrictions that had been imposed on him in this earthly life. The prospect of being set free was a glorious thought to Paul. Once liberated from this realm, he knew he would really be able to set sail in the Spirit and soar to spiritual heights he had never before attained. To Paul, death was not the end. It was an exciting beginning, the next leg of his journey — a phase of his walk with God that he was excited and enthusiastic to experience!

But wait — there’s more to this word analusai (“to depart”) that is very important to this text. The word analusai was also a military word, used when a decision was made that it was time for an army to break camp, pack up their tents, pick up their gear, gather up all their other belongings, and move onward to conquer new territory. This gives us another view of the way Paul viewed the prospect of death.

As a soldier who had fought many battles on earth, Paul was ready to break camp and to move upward into new spiritual territory. He had fought long and hard, and the expectation of moving onward to heavenly territory was a thought that captured his heart, his mind, and his imagination. Paul’s “desire to depart” and to be with Christ was so strong that he felt as if he were in a “strait betwixt two.” He was pulled on one side to depart from this earthly realm and to be with Christ. But he was also pulled from the other side to abide in the flesh a little longer.

You see, Paul knew that part of his ministry remained unfinished. If he left at this time, the entirety of his vision would not be fulfilled. So although he was “pulled” to set sail, to break camp, and to move onward to be with the Lord, he could not allow himself to do that yet, because he knew there was still work for him to do for the Kingdom. That is why he wrote in verse 24, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Although Paul would have loved to enter the heavenly realm, it wasn’t yet time, for he had more to accomplish before he finished his race. Therefore, he wrote that he had made a decision to continue a little longer in the flesh. Although it seems Paul actually could have chosen to let his life slip away, he chose instead to press onward to fulfill his call and to take others higher with him.

In Philippians 3:14, he wrote, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The words “press toward” are from the Greek word epekteinomai, a word that pictures a foot racer. It is the image of a racer who is pressing forward so hard and is so stretched out that his entire body is arching forward as his arms reach ahead to grasp the goal before him.

The word “mark” is the Greek word skopos, which describes the finish line for a runner. Like a runner, Paul was straining toward the finish line. At that time in his life, he was on his last run around the track before the race concluded. Rather than slowing down, taking it easy, or resting, he had chosen to put forth all his efforts and push harder than ever before so he could finish first, knowing that he had given his very best to the very end of his life.

Paul then wrote that he was pressing toward the “prize.” The word “prize” is the Greek word brabeion, describing the rewards given to those who won their competitions in the public games. This means Paul had his reward on his mind. When it was finally time for him to depart to be with Christ, there would be a reward waiting for him. With this in mind, Paul chose to shove all obstacles and hindrances out of the way and to strain forward as he ran around the track for the final period of time in his life!

How does all of this apply to you today? When you are exhausted from the never-ending problems of life and the thought of dying or going to Heaven sounds like a welcome relief, stop to ask yourself:

If your answers to these questions reveal that your job is undone and that others are still depending on you, then it’s not time for you to go! One day you can set sail and soar out into eternity. There is a day coming in your life when you will break camp from this earthly realm and move onward to heavenly territory. But that day isn’t now. Instead, you need to grab hold of the power of God and run fiercely to finish the race that is still left undone and that is before you. Don’t stop running your race until you know you have done EVERYTHING Jesus has asked you to do.

So pull yourself together. Muster your strength. Draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Get ready, get set, and start running your race — and keep running until you can say without any doubt that you have finished your course! Until you can say that with confidence, you need to quit thinking about Heaven and start thinking about how to run your race to the end!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I want to run my race victoriously all the way to the finish line! I don’t want to quit, give up, or die until I can say I’ve finished everything You have ever assigned for me to do. Forgive me for allowing thoughts of death to dominate me. I have too much living left to do to dwell on these kinds of self-defeating thoughts. Please help me shove aside my exhaustion, grab hold of Your power, and press forward to do what You have called me to do with my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I have a lot of living left to do before I die and go to Heaven! God has given me a huge assignment for my life, and I’m only getting started in fulfilling what He has asked me to do. Death is not an option right now. Life is my only choice. I am needed and wanted, and God is not calling me home yet. Therefore, I will live a long and prosperous life — and I will run my race with all my might so I can finish my race with joy and victory!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Is it true that you’ve had moments when you wished you could pack it up and move on to Heaven? Did you feel that way at a time when you were exhausted and feeling worn out?

2. Once you were refreshed and feeling better again, weren’t you glad that you didn’t go to Heaven? Don’t you still have a great deal to accomplish for the Lord before you break camp, pack up your bags, and move onward to be with Christ?

3. How many people are depending on you and really need you? Since these people still need your personal presence in their lives, don’t you think you need to dwell on living a full life on this earth and finishing your spiritual race?

September 16

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints….
— Romans 1:7

Growing up in our church, it was our custom after the sermon concluded to give a public invitation for people who felt some kind of “call” from God. As the piano played and an atmosphere was created for people to respond to the dealings of the Holy Spirit, the pastor often asked, “Is God calling you today?” People would come to the front of the sanctuary, meet the pastor, kneel at the altar, and receive prayer for the various invitations that were made. Whether it was a call to salvation, a call to rededication, a call to join the church, or a call to the ministry — people sensed the Holy Spirit drawing them to respond to Him in those services.

If we know Jesus Christ, God has called each of us — and that call is very special. But what does it actually mean to be called? This is what I want to talk to you about today. I want us to begin by looking at an example of the word “called” in Romans 1:7, where Paul wrote, “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints….”

The word “called” is the Greek word kaleo, which means to beckon, to call, to invite, or to summon. Although the word kaleo can simply mean to call, it is often used to convey the idea of an invitation. Those who are called or invited should view the invitation as a privilege and a prestigious honor to be treasured, prized, and revered.

The New Testament abounds with 148 examples of this word kaleo. Two notable examples are found in Matthew 22:2-10 and Luke 14:7-24. In Matthew 22, the word kaleo is used in Jesus’ parable to describe a special invitation extended by a king who was asking people to attend a great marriage feast. Such royal events were closed to the public; a person couldn’t attend without being invited. Receiving an invitation to attend this type of special occasion was therefore considered an honor.

In Luke 14:7-24, Jesus taught two parables in which various forms of the word kaleo are used 12 times to denote invitations given to people to attend a wedding and a great feast. Both parables in this passage of Scripture emphatically convey the idea of the great honor and privilege bestowed on a person who was called or invited to such an event.

The apostle Paul used the Greek word kaleo and its various forms 49 times in his epistles. For instance, he used this word kaleo to describe God’s call to repent — to be set free from spiritual darkness and the world of sin and to become a part of His family. This divine call comes to each person when God opens his or her spiritual ears to hear the Gospel’s invitation to salvation. When the Holy Spirit opens a person’s spiritual ears to truly hear the Gospel message, that is precisely when God’s invitation is extended to him or her.

As believers, we must never forget that we couldn’t have come to the Lord if He hadn’t opened our spiritual ears and invited us to become a part of His family. Yes, Jesus died for all, but only the Holy Spirit opens spiritual ears to hear the invitation to become a part of God’s family. Our being called into the family of God was at His initiative. Our part was simply to respond to the invitation He was offering us.

As a mature believer, I now understand what was happening at the altar of our church when I was a young man. God’s Spirit was touching hearts, calling and inviting them to make various changes or commitments. Then people, by His grace, were responding to the invitation that the Holy Spirit was extending to them.

So why don’t you take the time to ask yourself, What is it God is calling me to do for Him? Whatever invitation you have received from Heaven — whether it is the call to salvation, to the ministry, or to any other assignment for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom — it is your responsibility to recognize the honor of the invitation and to answer His call with a willing and obedient heart. Whatever the Holy Spirit is saying to you, you can know this for sure: It’s a good day to say YES to the Lord!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I thank You for opening my spiritual ears to hear the call You first issued to me when You called me to repentance and salvation. I understand that I “heard” that call only because You opened my spiritual ears to hear. How I thank You for that divine act of grace in my life! And now, Father, I ask that my spiritual ears remain open so that I can continue to hear the invitations You extend to me when You call upon me to do new tasks and assignments. Help me not to be so busy that I don’t hear You. It is my sincere prayer that my spiritual ears remain open to hear You, and that when You speak, I am quick to obey what You have called and invited me to do!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I joyfully confess that God speaks to me and that I hear Him when He speaks. He has opened my spiritual ears, and I have the ability to hear when He calls and invites me to do something new and special. When God asks me to do something or beckons me to a new task, I do not argue. I choose to quickly agree with God so that I can walk continually with Him. I consider it an honor and a privilege whenever God allows me the opportunity to do something in His service.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you remember the first time God opened your spiritual ears, and you heard Him call you to repentance and salvation? When was that time? Do you remember the specific place and date?
  2. Are your spiritual ears open? Are you cultivating a sensitive, listening heart that stays tuned in to the Holy Spirit’s leadings in your spirit? You may be sensing a new calling that He is extending to you in this season of your life. Is there a new invitation to take on a new task or assignment?
  3. To be honest — and we must be honest if we’re going to grow in the Lord — is there any call that He has extended to you that you have not obeyed? It’s never too late to repent for that and to immediately begin to follow the instructions that the Holy Spirit has extended to you. What is that call that you are supposed to be fulfilling?