Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
— Colossians 4:5

When a Christian has done something so unethical or revolting that it discredits the testimony of Jesus Christ in front of unbelievers who are watching, that Christian has a responsibility to do what is necessary to “redeem the time” and consequently regain his testimony. It is absolutely vital that he make things right with those individuals. It may be necessary for that Christian to swallow his pride, admit he did something wrong, and apologize so that he can restore his testimony.

If you are the one who has done something wrong and have thereby marred your testimony, it’s not too late for you to turn your testimony around! Thank God, the apostle Paul told us that we can “walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

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The word “redeem” is from the Greek word exagoridzo, and it is the old Greek word used to depict someone purchasing a slave out of the slave market. The word exagoridzo is a compound of the words ex and agoridzo. The word ex is a preposition that means out, and agoridzo is the Greek word most notably used to describe the slave market — a disgusting place where human beings were bought, sold, and traded like animals. This market was officially called the agora, and from this, we get this Greek word agoridzo.

When these words ex and agoridzo are compounded to form the word exagoridzo, it pictures a buyer who has gone to the market to purchase a slave so he can set free and restore him to the freedom he formerly possessed. Therefore, the word exagoridzo — translated as the word “redemption” in the King James Version — actually pictures permanently removing a slave from slavery in order to return him to the status of freedom he enjoyed before he was enslaved.

But in Colossians 4:5, the word exagoridzo isn’t used in its normal sense to describe redemption from sin. Instead, the apostle Paul used it in the phrase “redeeming the time.” This means time that is lost can be redeemed! If you are willing to do whatever is needed to make it happen, God will enable you to regain and recoup time that was previously squandered. He can give you another opportunity that is so wonderful that it makes up for what you previously lost!

In fact, when Paul wrote of “redeeming the time,” the word “time” is the Greek word kairos, which would be better translated as the word opportunity. This means God will help you recoup, recover, regain, and retrieve lost time and opportunities!

One way that this phrase could be paraphrased is to buy back time. Considering that the word “redemption” (exagoridzo) is used here, an expanded interpretation of this phrase “redeeming the time” could read: “Do everything you can to make up for lost territory! Buy up all the time you can and make the most of every opportunity.”

• Can you think of opportunities you have lost along the way in life?
• Have you ever squandered an opportunity that God tried to set before you?
• Did God try to increase you, but as a result of negligence on your part, the increase went to someone else?
• Can you think of a possibility that God designed to be yours, but it never happened because you were too lazy to put forth the effort to make it happen?
• Did you lose opportunities to enjoy your children when they were younger because you didn’t take advantage of the time you were given to be with them?
• Have you forfeited your testimony in front of non-Christians because you did something unethical or ugly in front of them?

The truth is, we’ve all lost opportunities along the way in life for various reasons. Some of it was due to our own stupidity or ignorance. Some of it was due to hardships or difficulties in life that prevented us from doing what we wanted to do. But regardless of the reason, Paul told us that if we’re willing to go the distance to do whatever is necessary to “redeem time,” we can turn things around and end up with a lot of brand-new, wonderful opportunities that make up for any lost or wasted time in your past. I can hear the Holy Spirit crying out to us, “Do everything you can to make up for lost territory! I’ll enable you to buy up all the time you can and make the most of every opportunity.”

This brings us back to the subject of your influence on non-Christians. If you have damaged your testimony for some reason in front of non-Christians, that is truly unfortunate. Losing influence as a result of a lack of integrity or bad behavior will hinder your ability to represent Christ to the people around you. However, with God’s grace, even this can be changed and turned around. If you are willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it, He will help you redeem that lost time and damaged testimony.

For you to redeem the time and recover your testimony, God may require that you apologize to someone, admit you were wrong, or perhaps make a correction in some area of your life. If you are willing to swallow your pride and to do what is right, God will miraculously enable you to buy back a lot of missed opportunities and recover a testimony that had been lost.

Time is precious — and it is a fact that you cannot turn the clock back. Time, once you spend it, is gone. But if you are willing to repent and put forth the effort to correct your mistakes, God’s grace will go a long way in enabling you to buy back a lot of time, opportunity, territory, or testimony that you previously lost. The Holy Spirit can, and will, help you “redeem the time.”

The last part of Colossians 4:5 could read:

“Do everything you can to make up for lost territory! Make the most of every moment you have right now, and do everything you can to recover those precious moments and opportunities that you thought were lost forever.”

By choosing to repent, we are able to buy back our testimony and once again begin to make a right impression on the non-Christians we may have negatively influenced with our wrong actions in the past.

We must never forget that people are watching us! They see our walk; they hear our talk; and they notice what we say and what we do. We must live our lives wisely and prudently, especially for the sake of the non-Christians who are observing what we say and how we act. Time is a sacred and precious commodity that we must use carefully and not waste.

If you have damaged your witness, now is the time to let the Holy Spirit help you turn your testimony around so you can represent Jesus with honor before the unbelievers who are watching you!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I ask You to help me make up for time and opportunities I lost or wasted along the way in my life. You have been so good to give me many possibilities for success, to witness, and to advance in life, but I have not taken advantage of everything You have tried to give me. Please forgive me for not being more serious or thoughtful in the past. I ask You for wisdom to know what I need to do to regain the things I’ve lost. Without You, I know that lost opportunities are gone forever; but with Your grace helping me, I can regain the things I lost and buy back the time I squandered. Thank You for helping me as I set my heart to do the things that will enable me to recoup what I lost earlier in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God can miraculously help me regain time and opportunities that I lost or squandered in the past. Because I am repentant and willing to do whatever I must to make it happen, God is helping me recapture moments, open doors, possibilities, and relationships that seemed forever lost. Time is spent and the clock cannot be turned back, but God’s grace is so powerful that it will give me a new opportunity to do what is right. This time, I’ll not fail, for I am determined to please Jesus Christ with my life!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of opportunities that God planned just for you, but for some reason, you forfeited those opportunities and they passed to someone else?
2. It may be painful to remember, but can you think of a time when you should have been a beacon of light to a non-Christian, but because you did something that was wrong, you lost your witness with that person?
3. To recapture those lost opportunities, what do you need to do? What correction do you need to make? What apology do you need to make to someone? What changes are required for you to recover your testimony and regain an opportunity to be an example of Jesus Christ to those who are watching you?

Keep the Devil Where He Belongs — Under Your Feet

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly….
— Romans 16:20

Are you tired of the devil blocking your way and causing all kinds of disruptions and problems in your life, such as problems in your relationships, financial woes, or health problems? How would you like to lift your foot high and then slam it down as hard as you can on top of the devil — pounding, hammering, trouncing, crushing, and smattering him to bits under your feet? Does that sound like something you wish you could do?

Believe it or not, the apostle Paul encourages you to do exactly that! In Romans 16:20 he writes, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly….” The word “bruise” is taken from the Greek word suntribo, a word that significantly presents this notion of trampling the devil under your feet. The word was historically used to denote the act of smashing grapes into wine. However, it was also used to refer to the act of snapping, breaking, and crushing bones. In fact, it pictures bones that have been utterly crushed beyond recognition.

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This word suntribo is used in Mark 5:4 where the Bible tells us about the demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes. It says, “Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces.…” The phrase “broken in pieces” is this same word suntribo. Although bound in chains and fetters, the demonized man was sufficiently energized by the demons to be able to crush those fetters to pieces.

The use of the word suntribo in this verse portrays a demon-possessed man releasing so much rage and violence that he was able to obliterate, smash, demolish, and reduce those fetters to nothing. When he was finished, the fetters fell to the ground in a heap, twisted and deformed — so broken that they would never be used to hold anyone captive again.

Now Paul uses this same word in Romans 16:20 when he says we are to “bruise” Satan under our feet. However, notice that Paul says we are to bruise him under our feet “shortly.” This word “shortly” is extremely important because it takes the whole picture to the next level. It tells us what attitude we must demonstrate the next time the devil tries to get in our way or block our path.

The word “shortly” comes from a military term that described the way Roman soldiers marched in formation. They were instructed by their commanders, “You are Roman soldiers! Lift your feet high, stomp loud, and let everyone know you are coming through town. The sound of the stomping and pounding of your feet is the signal to let everyone know they need to get out of your way. And if someone is foolish enough to stand in your way — even if someone falls down in front of you — don’t you dare stop to ask them to move! Just keep marching, stomping, and pounding, even if it means you have to walk right over them!”

So when Paul uses the word “shortly,” he is referring to the pounding, stomping, crushing steps of a Roman soldier. And remember, Roman soldiers wore shoes that were spiked with nails on the bottom (see March 15). When a challenger stood in front of them — or if a person fell in their path — these soldiers would simply ignore the obstacle and keep marching, stomping, and pounding along their way, leaving the challenger or unfortunate person completely obliterated and trampled beyond recognition — an ugly, bloody sight.

What does all this mean for you and me today? It means the next time the devil tries to get in your way or block your path, you shouldn’t stop to politely ask him to move. If the enemy is stupid enough to challenge you and tries to hinder your plans, God tells you what to do in this verse: “Just keep walking! If the devil tries to stop you, just raise your feet high, pound down as hard as you can, and stomp all over him as you march forward. Crush and bruise him beyond recognition!”

However, it is important to point out that this smashing and crushing of Satan must be done in cooperation with God. Alone you are no match for this archenemy. That’s the reason Paul says, “…The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet….” In other words, this is a joint partnership between you and God. By yourself, you could never keep Satan subdued. But with God as your Partner, the devil has no chance of ever slipping out from under your heel!

Romans 16:20 suggests this idea:

“The God of peace will smash and completely obliterate Satan under your feet! If Satan tries to get in your way or to block your path, then it’s time for you to act like a soldier — lift your feet high, stomp and pound down hard, crushing the enemy under your feet and leaving him in a heap, trampled beyond recognition, as you march on….”

The glorious truth is that Jesus already completely destroyed Satan’s power over you through His death and resurrection. The devil was utterly smashed, crushed, and bruised when Jesus was victoriously raised from the dead (see January 31, February 11, February 28). Your God-given mission now is to reinforce the victory already won and to demonstrate just how miserably defeated Satan already is!

The enemy may try to lord himself over you; he may attempt to exert his foul influence over your life. However, he is merely using empty threats and illusions to feed fear into your mind.

Never forget — the only place that rightfully belongs to the devil is the small space of ground right under your feet! Jesus accomplished a total, complete, and perfect work through the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the dead. That means your healing, your miracle, or your financial blessing already belongs to you! The victory is already yours!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, the next time the devil tries to get in my way or to block my path, help me to raise my feet high, pound down as hard as I can, and stomp all over him as I march forward unhindered to do Your will. I thank You that because of Your victory, Satan has no right to exercise this kind of control over my life anymore! With You working as my Partner, I can stare that old enemy in the face and command him to move. And if he tries to put up a fight, I can push him out of the way and walk on through!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I boldly declare that Jesus destroyed Satan’s power over me! Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the devil was utterly smashed, crushed, and bruised. Now my God-given mission is to reinforce that glorious victory and to demonstrate just how miserably defeated Satan already is. The enemy may try to lord himself over me, but he has no authority to exercise any control in my life!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Do you see yourself as a victorious soldier in the army of God?

2. Are your problems under your feet today, or do you feel like you are constantly under the heel of your problems?

3. What are you going to do to turn this situation around? Write down ideas about what actions you can take to start winning the victory over the devil’s attacks in your life.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
— Colossians 4:5

One day as my wife and I were eating out, we discovered that the woman who served our table was a committed Christian. Since it was a slow day at the restaurant, we took a few minutes to talk to her. During our conversation, I happened to ask her what was the best and worst day of the week for a server in terms of tips. Without hesitation, she answered, “Sundays are the worst days. In fact, none of the servers in this restaurant want to work on Sundays. It’s the worst day of the week for a waiter.”

Fascinated by her answer, I asked her why no one wanted to work on Sundays. She told me, “As a Christian, I am embarrassed to say it, but the most demanding customers — those who are the hardest to please and leave the smallest tips — are usually Christians. In fact, when people come into the restaurant carrying their Bibles, the waiters and waitresses immediately start fighting about who has to serve that table because we know it’s going to take a lot of work and they won’t leave much of a tip.”

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

She continued, “Isn’t it sad that a Bible in a person’s hands is the warning sign that trouble lies ahead?”

Hearing about this negative influence that Christians had exerted on the employees in that place of business, I decided to delve deeper and ask how this had affected those who worked with her. She categorically told me, “The people who work in this restaurant just can’t understand how Christians can go to church on Sunday and then come into this restaurant and treat the servers so badly. Most of the servers here would rather serve unbelievers because they treat them nicer and leave bigger tips.”

It is unfortunate — but true — that often Christians unintentionally do or say things that leave unbelievers with a sour taste in their mouths. These believers forget that their life is their pulpit and the strongest message they will ever preach.

It is a fact that many believers have lost their Christian influence because of things they do or say that reflect a wrong image of Jesus Christ. If we are honest, I think we all probably regret something we did or said in front of unbelievers at some point in our lives. We all have made comments or acted in ways that we later regretted.

For example, has there ever been a time when you listened to someone tell crude jokes, and later learned that the unbelievers who were present couldn’t understand how a Christian could laugh at such jokes? Have you ever acted so selfishly that you totally turned off the unbelievers you were trying to win for Christ? Or have you lost your temper, exploded in anger, or uttered words that were not fitting for a child of God — and unbelievers saw you do it?

If you have done any of these things, I don’t mean to make you feel guilty or condemned, but as Christians, we must always be aware that a lost world is watching. We can never forget that we may be the only Jesus some people will ever see. This is why we must constantly ask ourselves, “What kind of Jesus do people see as they watch my life?”

In New Testament times, most of society was spiritually lost. As in today’s world, the Christians of that time found themselves in a world that was hostile to the Gospel. Because they were a minority in their world and the rest of society didn’t understand them or their faith, they were constantly “watched” by the unbelieving world. The apostle Paul knew that if Christians would live uprightly, it would demonstrate their faith. Therefore, their lives were really the strongest message they could preach. In light of this, Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

First, I want you to notice the phrase “to them that are without.” This phrase is based on the Greek word exo, a word that means without or outside. It depicts those who are outside, like someone who is standing outside of a circle. You are either in the circle, or you are out of the circle. In this verse, the word exo describes people who are outside of Christ. The Jews used this Greek expression when they spoke of people who were outside the Jewish faith or were non-Jews. The apostle Paul used this identical phrase to portray people who are outside of Christ or who are non-Christian.

Hence, this part of the verse could be interpreted:

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are non-Christians.…”

The word “walk” is the often-used Greek word, peripateo. It is a compound of the words peri and pateo. The first part of the word is peri, which simply means around. The second part of the word is pateo. Typically, the word pateo means to walk, but it can be translated in a variety of ways, such as to walk, to step, to stride, or to tread. When the word peri and pateo are compounded into one word to form the word peripateo, the new word means to walk around, or to walk in one general area as a habit, or it describes a person’s lifestyle. It was often used to depict a constant and consistent way of life.

Therefore, when Paul told us to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without,” he was telling us that walking in wisdom in the presence of unbelievers should be a way of life for us. The use of the word peripateo (“walk”) clearly means we must constantly walk in wisdom when we are in the presence of people who are non-Christians.

The word “wisdom” is the Greek word sophia, a very old word that denotes wisdom but which also expresses the idea of discernment. In other words, you and I must use judgment about the things we do or say in the presence of unbelievers. We must be sensitive to the fact that they are monitoring our words and actions. We must use prudence, caution, good sense, carefulness, and good ol’ common sense in the way we conduct ourselves before non-Christians. We should be distinguishably different from them and the lost world around us. Unbelievers are watching and are monitoring our actions. By living upright lives before them, we can make a godly impact on them.

In light of these Greek words, the first part of Colossians 4:5 could be interpreted:

“Habitually walk in wisdom — live according to its dictates and let it set you apart from the world around you. You have a responsibility to walk prudently and to use discernment and common sense when you are in the presence of non-Christians who are observing how you live and what you do….”

In tomorrow’s Sparkling Gem, I want to talk to you about what to do if you have done some- thing that has given a wrong impression of Jesus Christ to non-Christians who are watching you. You may have to swallow your pride, but it is vital that you make things right with those individuals. If you don’t present the right image of Christ to them, your bad example could be the very thing that causes them to reject Christ and suffer an eternity without God.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I ask You to help me be more aware of the unbelievers who are watching my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve been preoccupied and forgotten that my life is my pulpit and the strongest message I will ever preach. Holy Spirit, help me to stay mindful that non-Christians watch how I live, what I do, and how I treat others. Help me to constantly be aware that my life may be the only sermon some people will ever hear. Help me live my life wisely and in such a godly manner that others will see a contrast between me and the dark world around them. Help me take advantage of every opportunity to shine the light of God’s love and His Word to those who sit in darkness.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am a good witness for Jesus Christ! When people see me — how I live, how I talk, how I act, and how I treat others — they are left with a good impression of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is teaching me how to shine like a light in darkness to those without Christ who are around me. Because of my Christ-like example, many people without Jesus will come into the Kingdom of God. Since my life is the only sermon some people will ever hear, I will live my life each day in a way that accurately reflects the Person of Jesus Christ!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever known a person who claimed to be a Christian but who had unethical practices in his life that horribly conflicted with his claims of Christianity? How did this hypocrisy affect unbelievers who were watching his life?
2. Is there anything you are doing right now that would give a wrong impression of Jesus to non-Christians who are watching? Why don’t you take a few minutes to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart so He can show you areas in your life where your testimony could be better?
3. Write down those areas the Holy Spirit has shown you where you could improve your Christian testimony. Once you make this list, put it in a visible place where you can be reminded to pray about it daily.

The Most Essential Weapon In Your Spiritual Arsenal

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth….
— Ephesians 6:14

Roman soldiers were dressed in beautiful armor! From head to toe, they were covered with various pieces of weaponry that were designed to protect them and equip them for fighting. But of all these pieces, one piece was more important than all the others. That vital and most important piece of weaponry was the Roman soldier’s loinbelt.

A loinbelt didn’t look important. Certainly no soldier would have written home and told his parents, “Wow, I’ve got the most incredible loinbelt!” He might have told them about his shield, his sword, or his breastplate, but no one got excited about the loinbelt. Nevertheless, it was the Roman soldier’s most important piece of weaponry. Why was this so? Because the loinbelt held many of the other pieces of weaponry together. If a soldier’s loinbelt wasn’t in place, he was in big trouble.

This is even true with modern clothing. For example, the belt I wear around my waist is not something people notice. They might mention my tie, my suit, my shirt, my sweater, and even my shoes. But to date, I’ve never had anyone walk up to me and say with excitement, “Wow, what a belt!” However, my belt is very important! If I removed it, I’d find out how important it is, because my pants would fall off! That makes my belt quite a vital part of my attire!

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

In the same way, the Roman soldier’s loinbelt was the piece of armor that held all the other pieces together. His sword hung in a scabbard that was clipped to the side of his loinbelt. When not in use, his shield was hung on a special clip on the other side of his loinbelt. The pouch that carried his arrows rested on a small ledge attached to his loinbelt on his backside. Even his breastplate was attached in some places to his loinbelt.

Accordingly, the soldier’s ability to use his other pieces of weaponry depended on his loinbelt. If he had no loinbelt, he had no place to attach his massive shield or to hang his sword. Without a loinbelt, there was nothing to rest his lance upon and nothing to keep his breastplate from flapping in the wind. The armor of a Roman soldier would literally come apart, piece by piece, if he didn’t have the loinbelt around his waist.

You can see why the loinbelt was absolutely essential to the Roman soldier in order for him to be confident in battle. With that belt securely fastened, he could be assured that all the other pieces of his equipment would stay in place, enabling him to move quickly and fight with great fury.

Thus, the loinbelt was the most vital part of all the weaponry the Roman soldier wore. Now consider all this in light of Ephesians 6:14, where Paul says, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth….” For the child of God, the loinbelt of his spiritual armor is the written Word of God — the truth.

When God’s Word has a central place in your life, you will have a sense of righteousness that covers you like a mighty breastplate. When God’s Word is operating in your life, it gives you the sword you need — that rhema word quickened to your heart by the Holy Spirit (see February 22). When God’s Word dominates your thinking, it gives you peace that protects you from the attacks of the adversary and shields your mind like a powerful helmet.

As long as the loinbelt of truth — the Word of God — is central in your life, the rest of your spiritual armor will be effective. But the moment you begin to ignore God’s Word and cease to apply it to your life on a daily basis, you’ll start to lose your sense of righteousness and peace. You’ll find that the devil will start attacking your mind more and more, trying to fill it with lies and vain imaginations. You see, when you remove God’s Word from its rightful place at the very core of your life, it won’t be long until you will begin to spiritually come apart at the seams!

If you want to stay clothed in your spiritual armor, you must begin by taking up God’s Word and permanently affixing it to your life. You have to give the Word a central place and dominant role in your life, allowing it to be the “loinbelt” that holds the rest of your weaponry together.

So as you go about your daily routine today and every day, keep your “loinbelt of truth” fully attached and operative in every situation you face. Let the Bible be the governor, the law, the ruler, the “final say-so” in your life!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I know that Your Word is the most important weapon You have given to me. Forgive me for the times I have not made it a priority in my life. Today I make the decision to never ignore Your Word again. Holy Spirit, help me stay true to this decision. Please remind me every day to open my Bible and take the time needed to wrap that Word around my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

Because God’s Word has a central place in my life, I have a sense of righteousness that covers me like a mighty breastplate. God’s Word is operating in my life, giving me a powerful sword to wield against the enemy — that rhema word quickened by the Spirit of God to my heart in my time of need. And because God’s Word also dominates my thinking, I have peace that protects me from the attacks of the adversary and shields my mind like a powerful helmet.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Does the Word of God really have a central role in your life, or is reading your Bible something you do once in a while when it’s convenient to you?

2. Was there a time in your life when you devoured the Word of God? What kind of fruit did that period of time produce in your life? Take the time to write down your answers and really think about them.

3. What changes do you need to make in your schedule now to give God’s Word the central place it ought to have in your life?

For a great and effectual door is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
— 1 Corinthians 16:9

Over the course of my ministry, I’ve had many great, effectual doors open for me to do the work of the Gospel. I’ll never forget when I received an opportunity to minister on television in the former Soviet Union. It was as if a great door had suddenly swung open to an entire nation — a door that had never before been opened for anyone else. I knew that I was experiencing something miraculous!

By faith, my wife Denise and I stepped through that door and began to preach the Word of God on television in this spiritually starved corner of the world. Given the former Communist regime’s violent campaigns against the Gospel in this region, this opportunity was as miraculous as was the Jordan River dividing for Joshua and the children of Israel! However, with this great open door also came a slew of adversaries, specifically dispatched by Satan to instill fear and doubt into my heart. The devil desperately wanted to prevent me from touching the lives of this spiritually oppressed people, so he positioned evil people with insidious plans to block my view from what God had in store for our ministry.

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

It was like the children of Israel looking at the Promised Land from the far side of the Jordan River. From that perspective, they saw only the fruitful land of blessing that lay before them. But once in the Promised Land, they had to fight giants of every kind before they could possess that land and enjoy the blessing. In the same way, if Denise and I had taken our eyes off the Lord during this tumultuous period — or if we had focused only on the problems and forgotten about the fruit we were pursuing for God’s Kingdom — I’m sure we would have backpedaled to get out of the situation.

However, we knew this opportunity was worth the fight, so we fixed our gaze squarely on the Lord. Girded with the armor of God and the power of the Spirit, we pushed through every obstacle and possessed the ground that God called us to take, and as a result, millions of souls began to hear the Gospel for the first time. We knew that only God could have opened this door!

In First Corinthians 16:9, the apostle Paul wrote about the strategic doors of opportunity that open for the Gospel and the adversaries that usually accompany them. He said, “For a great and effectual door has been opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Notice that Paul uses the words “great,” “effectual,” “door,” and “has been opened” to describe the opportunity that had been set before him.

The word “great” in this verse is translated from the Greek word megale, which means gigantic. The word “effectual” is the Greek word energes, and it depicts something that is powerful and ready to be set into motion. The word “door” is the Greek word thura, which typically refers to a door but in this context denotes a rare opportunity. Finally, the phrase “has been opened” is the Greek word anoigo, which describes something standing wide open. In other words, the door in question couldn’t be any more open! Thus, an alternate translation of Paul’s words in First Corinthians 16:9 could be rendered, “A gigantic, powerful opportunity is already set in motion and standing wide open….”

Furthermore, Paul continued by saying, “For a great and effectual door has been opened unto me….” You see, Paul knew that the particular door he was referring to had never been opened to anyone else, and he stood in awe of the unprecedented opportunity. Walking through these kinds of doors is impossible without divine assistance, and Paul was fully aware of God’s role in the matter. That is why he specified that this door had been opened “unto me.”

Paul’s prayer request in First Corinthians 16:9 was not for a door to open because it had already opened. His prayer request was to receive God’s wisdom to deal with the numerous adversaries who were attempting to come against him. Paul used the Greek word antikeimenoi to describe the vast number of “adversaries” that were sent to attack him. This Greek word described something set against Paul that was piled high and lying all around him. In other words, he was dealing with more than a few minor opponents; opposition was stacked high on every side!

The enemy will try his best to keep you from stepping through the gigantic doors of opportunity God desires to open for you. Satan is afraid of what will happen when “his” territory is invaded by someone fully equipped with a full arsenal of spiritual weapons! So know this: God will open doors for you — but He needs you to make a determined decision that you will walk through them, no matter the opposition, with the help of His Spirit. By opening the door, God has already done His part, which would have been impossible without His assistance. Now He beckons you to come dressed in the whole armor of God and in the power of His Word — and then proceed through that effectual door into new territory. It may look like enemies are everywhere, but it is simply a fact that the devil and his forces flee and collapse when they are subjected to a show of strong faith!

As I mentioned earlier, many great and effectual doors have been opened to me over the years to do the work of the Gospel. In each case, I knew that these doors were unique to me and had never before been opened for anyone else. And just as Paul experienced opposition, there were plenty of enemies that came against me with each opportunity. However, because I obeyed God, the devil was forced to move out of the way, and I walked right into the virgin territory that God had opened to me.

My friend, your situation may look frightful, but think about this: If God has supernaturally opened a new door for you — a door that’s never before been opened — He is not beckoning you to walk through it so you can fail. He is with you every step of the way, and He will empower you to defeat every foe and bring Him glory in that new territory that is yours to possess in Jesus’ name!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, You have set before me a rare opportunity for the sake of the Gospel. You have not opened this door for me to fail or to fall short. You opened this opportunity specifically for me; therefore, I know that You have equipped me precisely with all I need to succeed. Your plan for my life and for this opportunity is one of victory. Thank You for the supernatural weapons You have given me through Christ. I ask for and gratefully receive Your wisdom to know what to do and how to do it. By the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit, I put on Your mighty strength to exercise the courage and perseverance I need to obey You and to force hell to move out of the way!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I do not draw back, but I move forward in the power of the Spirit to walk through the open door the Lord has set before me! I acknowledge that through Christ, I have wisdom for this task. Dressed in the whole armor of God and in the power of God’s Word, I can run through a troop and leap over a wall (see Psalm 18:29)! I will not be deterred, distracted, frightened, or intimidated. Greater is He that is within me than any adversary that seeks to oppose me. The Lord has gone before me to prepare the way; therefore, I follow Him confidently through this new door so I can carve a path for the Gospel and prepare the way for others to enter and follow afterward.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What miraculous opportunities has God set before you in your life?
2. Do you remember times when God gave you new opportunities, but you paused — perhaps because you were concerned whether you had the guts and gumption to really do it — and as a result, the opportunity passed you by?
3. What did you learn from that experience? If God opens another miraculous door in front of you, what would you do different now?

Do You Have the Right To Demand Anything From God?

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
— John 15:7

Exactly how bold can you dare to be in prayer? Do you have the right to come into the Presence of God and make certain demands of Him? What are your rights, your limitations, and your boundaries when it comes to the issue of prayer?

Jesus used an attention-grabbing word in John 15:7 when He was speaking to the disciples about prayer. The King James Version says, “…Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” The Greek word “ask” destroys any religious suggestion that we are lowly worms who have no right to come into the Presence of God. It also destroys the picture that we must pitifully beg and plead for the things we need of the Lord. You see, the word “ask” is the Greek word aiteo, a word that means to be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money, and so forth.

Although this word aiteo means to demand or to insist, it does not give a believer license to be arrogant or rude in his approach to God. In fact, in the New Testament, the word aiteo is used to portray a person addressing a superior. The person may insist or demand that a certain need be met, but he approaches and speaks to his superior with respect and honor. Additionally, the word aiteo expresses the idea that one possesses a full expectation to receive what was firmly requested.

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There is no doubt that this word describes someone who prays authoritatively, in a sense demanding something from God. This person knows what he needs and is so filled with faith that he isn’t afraid to boldly come into God’s Presence to ask and expect to receive what he has requested.

Some people are disturbed by this idea of “demanding” something from God. However, they wouldn’t find this particular concept of prayer so disturbing if they kept it in context with the entire verse.

The first part of John 15:7 gives the key: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you….” Jesus knew that if His words take up permanent residency in your heart and mind, you will never ask for something that is out of line with His will for your life. His Word will so transform your mind that your prayers will always be in accordance with what He has already said. In fact, this transformation process is what gives you the confidence to boldly come into God’s Presence and make your requests known! You ask boldly because you already know it is what He wants to do!

When you know you are praying according to the will of God, you don’t have to sheepishly utter your requests. Rather, you can boldly assert your faith and expect God to move on your behalf! To tell the truth, God wants you to act boldly and courageously in prayer. He wants you to seize His will for your life and demand that it come into manifestation! He’s just waiting for you to ask!

And don’t think that you can only come to God for spiritual blessings. As noted earlier, the word aiteo used in John 15:7 primarily has to do with requesting things of a physical and material nature, such as food, clothes, shelter, money, and so forth. Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 6:33 that if we seek the Kingdom of God first, God will see to it that all the material things we need are provided. On the other hand, James 4:2 teaches that believers often do not have what they need because they don’t ask!

Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” The word translated “request” is also the word aiteo. By using aiteo in this verse, Paul also urges us to be bold, authoritative, and commanding. However, he underscores the point that our approach to God must not be rude and arrogant but rather filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving. This means we should have a thankful, grateful heart as we come to make our requests known.

As you allow God’s Word to take an authoritative role in your heart and mind and you give that Word the freedom to transform your thinking, your mind will become renewed to God’s will. When that happens, it will cause you to pray in accordance with His plan for your life. Once you are in this position, you are ready to experience this aiteo kind of prayer. That’s when you can begin to boldly, courageously, and confidently move into higher realms of prayer to obtain the petition you desire of God! As you make your bold requests known to God, take the time to show your respect by thanking Him for all He has done in your life!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I’m so glad that I can be bold and straight to the point when I come into Your Presence. I am so thankful that You want me to boldly present my needs to You and expect You to answer my requests. Jesus told me to boldly ask, so it is right for me to do just that! Today I come before You to tell You about some big needs I have in my life — and because I know You want to bless and help me, I am releasing my faith, fully expecting to receive what I request of You today!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am bold when I come to God in prayer. Because Jesus beckons me to come to the Father with bold, frank, and confident requests, I make my needs known to God and fully expect Him to answer me. He is my Father, and I am His child. He WANTS me to be bold enough to ask Him to meet my needs, and He promises never to withhold any good thing from me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Have you ever felt like you needed to beg and plead for God to do something in your life?

2. How is the teaching in this Sparkling Gem going to change your prayer life?

3. Can you think of one thing you can boldly ask God to do for you today?

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
— 2 Corinthians 4:4

I once watched a television interview with a very famous, wealthy businessman who is well known for his public opposition of biblical teaching. During the conversation, the interviewer asked this famously rich unbeliever for his opinion about the state of the world today. I was shocked to hear how he answered!

The man replied that the world in general had never been in better shape than it is in right now. As evidence to support his claim, he specifically mentioned the shift of morality away from traditional values, the widespread acceptance of same-sex marriage, and the emergence on the political and economic scene of a one-world system that he believed will turn the planet into an altogether better place. I was stunned at his answers. I wondered, How can anyone be so blind to the reality of what is taking place in the world today?

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

There does seem to be a very real form of blindness that causes a person not to see what is happening in this modern age. What really amazes me is that often the people who make these comments are actually intellectually brilliant! As I listened to this man speak, I wondered, How can people be so smart and yet so blind to the truth? But then the Holy Spirit reminded me of Paul’s words in Second Corinthians 4:4, where he wrote, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” According to Paul, unbelievers really are blind to the truth!

When Paul wrote that Satan has “blinded” the minds of unbelievers, he chose the Greek word tuphloo for the word “blinded.” This is very important because the word tuphloo doesn’t just depict a person who is unable to see; rather, it vividly portrays a person who has been intentionally blinded by someone else. Someone has deliberately removed that individual’s eyes and permanently blinded him. This person hasn’t just lost his sight; he has no eyes to see.

Paul continued by saying that Satan “…blinded the minds of them which believe not….” This word “minds” is the Greek word noema, which is a form of the word nous. The word nous simply means mind. However, as the word noema, it no longer refers to the physical mind, but rather denotes the thoughts, reasoning, opinions, feelings, beliefs, or views that a person holds. Thus, Paul’s words in Second Corinthians 4:4 explicitly state that Satan has “gouged out” the spiritual eyes of skeptics and unbelievers to such a degree that it has affected their ability to see things correctly. Their thoughts, reasoning, opinions, feelings, beliefs, and views of what they experience and perceive are obstructed, hindered, and impeded. As a result, they are blinded from a correct view of the way things really are.

If you have any unsaved friends or relatives who seem “blind” to the truth, this verse may explain why they can’t seem to see the true state of things. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open their spiritual eyes so they can see the truth. The fact is that we are living in the last of the last days, and the world around us is changing very quickly. Events that were long ago prophesied in Scripture are unfolding before our very eyes. We have crossed the line and entered into the final chapter of history as we know it.

Thank God that by studying the Scriptures we can identify the time and exact age in which we live. With this knowledge before us, we can live soberly with eternity in view. Time is short, so we must wisely use the time that remains and shine the light of the Gospel into the lives of those whom Satan has blinded. The moment they believe, the Holy Spirit creates eyes for them to see. That is why it is so important that we don’t stop preaching the Gospel — even if people act like they don’t want to hear it.

As committed Christians, it is time for us to live with our eyes wide open to the times and to the events that are occurring around us. If we have friends or family who are unsaved and therefore blind to the truth, it is more urgent than ever that we fervently pray for God to give them eyes so they can see the truth that will save and deliver them.

Soon Jesus will come, and everything will change forever. Until then we have time to pray for those whom Satan has blinded. It isn’t that they are naive — they are blind. Satan has gouged out their eyes, blocked their view, and affected their minds. They have no eyes to see. Spiritual eyes are created for them to see only as the Gospel is preached and the Holy Spirit touches their minds.

Are you someone God wants to use so people’s eyes will be opened to see the truth? Maybe it’s time for you to quit praying for others to fill that role and recognize that God is asking you to be the one to share the Gospel with those who don’t know Him and bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! Keep your eyes open for opportunities to help the spiritually blind see, and the Lord will accommodate you with people who are hungry to listen and ready to see!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I pray for my family, friends, loved ones, and even my enemies as You told me to do. I ask in the name of Jesus that You would open up the eyes of their understanding to Your truth and to the reality of what is taking place in the world around them. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help them turn from darkness to light so that they would abandon what’s worthless and come to know and serve You, the Living God. Holy Spirit, I also ask You to help me recognize and respond to the opportunities you bring across my path for me to be a witness for Your glory. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, and I receive Your wisdom to win souls with the right words at the right time.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am aware I’m living in the last of the last days. Prophecy is unfolding before my eyes. The world has entered into the final chapter of history as we know it. I exalt You, Father God, and I thank You that Your Holy Word equips me with the strength and wisdom I need for the time and the age I’m living in. I choose to live soberly with eternity constantly in my view. I make the most of every opportunity to let my light shine for Christ brightly and without compromise. My lifelong desire is that others who sit in darkness will be drawn to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through the light they see in me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you know an unbeliever who is simply going with the whims of the times and who believes that things are getting better in this world system?
2. Are you concerned about unbelieving friends who seem to have no ability to discern the times in which we live? Regardless of what you express to them, does it seem they just can’t see the truth?
3. What would the Holy Spirit have you do to bring the people who fit that description to a powerful encounter with God that opens their spiritual eyes to see the truth? In what way could you share Christ with them that could help them see things differently?

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
— Hebrews 4:15

If you’ve ever been controlled by hurt feelings and offenses, you know it’s a miserable state to be in. Everyone has opportunities to get offended, upset, or “ticked off” at someone. Take a moment to think about a time when a friend or family member did something disappointing to you. How successful were you at dealing with it? Be honest!

It can often be very difficult to rein in your emotions when you’ve been hurt, but the good news is that Jesus understands. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” This verse emphatically declares that although Jesus was God in the flesh when He walked on this earth, He still faced every temptation you and I face in life. As a result, this verse says that Jesus is “…touched with the feeling of our infirmities….”

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

That phrase “be touched with” comes from the Greek word sumpatheo, which means to share an experience with someone or to sympathize with and have compassion for someone. What a comforting thought! Jesus empathizes with every temptation and struggle you face in this life. He identifies and sympathizes with you, and He has compassion for you regarding what you’re feeling and the situation you’re facing.

Jesus has been where you are. He has felt what you feel. He has overcome the temptations you are now trying to overcome. And because of His experiences, He understands the emotions, frustrations, and temptations you face in life. There is no need to feel too embarrassed to go to the Savior. If anyone can understand what you are going through right now, it’s Jesus! He has been tempted in all points just like you, yet He never succumbed to temptation. As a result:

• He understands your dilemma.
• He has experienced your problem.
• He is familiar with disappointment.
• He knows the temptation to get frustrated.
• He sympathizes when you get upset.

Jesus never fell into one of Satan’s traps, but He definitely faced the same frustrations we do in life. In fact, if Jesus hadn’t been tempted in every realm that we are tempted, He wouldn’t be able to understand us and serve as our great High Priest!

For instance, I can only imagine the frustration Jesus must have felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He had invested three and a half years of His life into His disciples, and for the first time, Jesus needed them. Jesus asked three of His disciples to pray for Him during His hour of temptation (see Matthew 26:37-45). He asked them for only one hour of prayer, but instead of praying, they fell asleep. He came and pleaded with them a second time to pray with Him, but once more they fell asleep. For a third time, Jesus came and besought His disciples to pray, but again they fell asleep on the job.

What if you had been in Jesus’ position that night? What if you had given three years of your life to these disciples — but when you asked them to help you for the first time, they failed you again and again?

It would be normal for a person in this situation to be tempted to become resentful, upset, or even offended. Anyone in that position would be tempted to think, How dare you sleep on the job after all I’ve done for you! I’m sorry I ever did anything for you bunch of ingrates! However, Jesus never fell into the trap of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness. In fact, even as He hung on the Cross, He prayed for those who had perpetrated this evil on Him, “…Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus is on your side! Hebrews 4:16 goes on to promise that when you go to Him for help, you will obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. So the next time you feel tempted to get upset or frustrated with someone, run to Jesus! He’s your faithful High Priest, inviting you to come boldly to Him to receive the grace you need to resist that temptation. Remember, Jesus understands precisely what you’re going through because He experienced that same temptation when He walked on this earth. But He also knows how to help you walk in love and forgiveness — just as He did in every situation, without fail!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is my Great High Priest and that He understands everything that I face and feel in life. I can come confidently before You in His Name to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The next time I feel tempted to get upset or frustrated with someone, Father, I make the decision now that I will walk in love and forgiveness just as Jesus did. I am so thankful that as my faithful High Priest, Jesus invites me to come boldly to Him to receive the grace I need to yield to His love and wisdom in me and to resist any temptation that comes against me!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that Jesus understands precisely what I’m going through because He experienced that same temptation when He walked on this earth. He knows how to help me walk in love and forgiveness. Jesus has been where I am. He has felt what I feel. He has overcome the temptations arrayed against me. Therefore, I hold fast to my victory in Him. Because of Jesus’ experiences as He walked on this earth, He understands the emotions, frustrations, and temptations that I face in life. There is no need for me to feel embarrassed to go to the Savior. If anyone can understand what I am going through right now, it’s Jesus. And because of His blood and by the power of His Name, I am more than a conqueror through Him!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever thought of the fact that Jesus faced every single temptation that you’ve ever faced? Of course, He never yielded to the temptation, but what does it mean to you to know that He faced exactly what you face and was tempted to feel exactly what you feel?
2. Are you embarrassed to be totally honest with Jesus about the temptations you are facing, or do you feel you can be straight with the Lord about it? If you feel embarrassed, why do you feel this, especially since you now know Jesus faced every temptation you face?
3. Take a moment to think about a time when a friend or family member did something disappointing to you. How successful were you at dealing with it? How does Jesus respond when we disappoint Him?

How Is Your Memory Working?

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.
— 2 Timothy 1:3

When Paul wrote these words, he was sitting in prison in Rome. Having been judged by the courts and sentenced to death, he was living his final days in prison as he awaited the day of his execution. The method of execution had been decreed: He was to die by beheading.

Paul knew that in just a short time, soldiers would enter his cell, bind him in chains, and then take him to the place of his beheading. As he anticipated this coming hour, Paul received a letter from Timothy. Reading the letter, he perceived that his young disciple was in trouble. A spirit of fear was attempting to operate in Timothy due to the horrific persecution that was sweeping like waves across his city. In addition, Timothy was fighting feelings of hurt and devastation because the leaders he trusted had abandoned him in this difficult hour.

Paul knew that this might be his last opportunity on earth to encourage the younger man of God, so he wrote back to Timothy and told him, “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

This word “remembrance” comes from the Greek word mneia. In some places in literature, this word denoted a written record used to record and memorialize a person’s actions. In other places, it signified a statue, monument, or memorial. An example of this latter meaning is found in Acts 10:3,4. As Cornelius prays, an angel appears to him and says, “Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God.” This word “memorial’ is from the same Greek root as the word “remembrance” that Paul used in Second Timothy 1:3.

What do all these various meanings have to do with Paul’s prayer for Timothy? What images does Paul intend to communicate by using this very special word?

First, this word tells us that Paul intended to use his prayer time to make sure Heaven was fully aware of all the achievements being accomplished by Timothy. Before Paul began to lift up Timothy’s present need, he’d take the time to tell Heaven everything he thought and felt for this young man of God. By doing this, Paul memorialized Timothy in the annals of Heaven! Paul set the record straight and made sure Heaven was aware of what this young disciple was doing in Jesus’ name.

We need to learn from Paul’s example. Before you begin to pray for a person’s need, first take a few minutes to review his acts of faith! Remind the Lord of all that person has done for the Kingdom of God. Put the Lord in remembrance of the way he has served, the time he has given, the money he has sown, and the way he has endured to do His will. Make sure you start your prayer time by setting the record straight and memorializing that person in the Presence of the Lord.

Second, the use of this word tells us that Paul prayed so fiercely and fervently for Timothy that his prayers left a lasting impression in Heaven. Like a statue or memorial permanently stands for generations to remind us of what someone did in the past, Paul’s prayers for Timothy were monumental in Heaven. Figuratively speaking, Paul prayed so much for Timothy that he filled the throne room of God with pictures, images, statues, and memorials of the younger man. Everywhere God looked, He saw an image of Timothy! In other words, God was continually confronted with the needs of Paul’s young disciple through the apostle’s continual prayers.

How would you like for someone to pray for you this much? Would it bless you to know that one person is so dedicated to praying for you that he has filled Heaven with your image — to the point that everywhere God looks, He is met head-on with your needs and your desires?

Let me turn the question around now and ask this: Is there anyone you’re praying for right now? If the answer is yes, go for it with all your heart, knowing that your prayers are painting pictures and erecting statues of that person and his need before God. Because of your prayers for your loved one, God will consistently be reminded of his need and will move mightily on his behalf.

These Greek meanings tell us that it is almost as if Paul was telling Timothy:

“Timothy, my intention is to pray, pray, pray, and pray for you until I have set the record straight about your activities and until I have stacked the throne room of God with your name! Anywhere God looks, I want Him to see a living memorial of you! I don’t want God to ever forget you; therefore, I am loading Heaven with statues, monuments, and memorials of you. My prayers for you will stand as an everlasting memorial before God!”

The fact is that many lives have been spared because of a mother or grandmother who prayed. Even long after these faithful prayer warriors die and go to Heaven, their prayers continue to exert power in life. Why is this so? Because prayers are permanent and everlasting. God never forgets a prayer that is prayed in faith. That prayer stands in His Presence as an everlasting memorial — like a huge edifice or marble statue!

Don’t wait another day! Go ahead and start stacking Heaven with some of your own everlasting memorials. Open the door for God’s blessings to flow into the lives of those for whom you pray. And be assured — your prayers of faith on behalf of others will NEVER be forgotten by God!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I thank You so much for people who have prayed for me. I know their prayers were a vital force to keep Heaven in remembrance of the needs and situations I was facing in life at the time. Forgive me for not being more grateful for people who loved me enough to pray. Now I ask You to help me faithfully pray for those You place on my heart, just as others have prayed for me. Help me keep Heaven in remembrance of these people and their needs.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I declare that I am faithful to pray for the people I love! Just as others have prayed for me, I take time to pray for those whom God places on my heart, even mentioning them by name to the Lord. My prayers are powerful and effective for them, causing Heaven to be constantly confronted by the situations and needs they are facing right now. I make a difference in their lives by taking time to pray!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Do you know anyone who fervently prayed for you and who is partially responsible for where you are in life right now because of his or her prayers?

2. Don’t you think it’s time for you to return the favor by consistently praying for someone else?

3. Why don’t you make a prayer list of people you can begin to pray for every day? Take time to really think about who you should include on that list; then write down their names on a piece of paper, and keep the list in a place where you can refer to it when you pray.

Doing Things Decently and in Order

Let all things be done decently and in order.
— 1 Corinthians 14:40

How does God want us to worship Him? This is a question that has been asked by different denominations throughout the centuries.

In the church I grew up in, I remember what we thought of any church that had “wild” church services. We deemed those people “incorrect” because their services weren’t conducted “decently and in order” — at least not according to our perspective.

But over the years, I have come to learn that “decently and in order” can mean different things to different people. What is acceptable to one group may be outrageous and offensive to another group. What is deemed holy, sweet, and touching by one group might be viewed as dead and dull to another. Everyone has his or her own opinions about what is appropriate or inappropriate in worship.

The Body of Christ is composed of too many different groups to list them all here, such as Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics. It therefore shouldn’t surprise us that Christians have differing opinions about the right and wrong way to worship God. It also shouldn’t surprise us that most people assume that their form of worship is the most scriptural.

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

So who is right and who is wrong? Is there only one correct form of worship? Could there possibly be room for a variety of different expressions of worship in the Kingdom of God? And are we ready to honestly ask ourselves, Are my opinions about worship influenced only by the Bible, or am I also influenced by my culture and upbringing? What are the guidelines set forth in Scripture?

You may personally believe that praise and worship with instruments, clapping, dancing, and all kinds of celebration is the right approach to worship. Or you may be a person who loves a quieter, more structured form of worship with hymns and organ music. Either way, you may have a host of scriptures to back up your conviction and support your view of what worship ought to be.

However, the New Testament basically gives us only one rule to follow in regard to this question of what is acceptable and appropriate in worship. That rule is found in First Corinthians 14:40, where the apostle Paul tells us, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

The word “decently” is the Greek word euschemonos. Other than this verse, the word euschemonos is only found two other times in the New Testament — in Romans 13:13 and in First Thessalonians 4:12. In both of these places, it is translated to do something honestly or to walk honestly. It carries the notion of something that is done properly as opposed to improperly. It has to do with intent and motivation more than outward action, although such a good intention always results in right actions.

The word “order” is the Greek word taksis. It carries the idea of something done in a fitting way or something done according to order. The Jewish historian Josephus used the word taksis when he recorded the orderly way in which the Roman army erected their camps — indicating their camps were orderly, organized, and well-planned. The commanders didn’t engage in last-minute planning. Their camps were not hastily thrown together but rather set up in an organized and thoughtful manner.

Josephus also uses the word taksis to describe the way the Essene Jews were respectful of others. These Jews would wait until others were finished speaking before they’d take their turn and speak out. In Josephus’ depiction of this behavior among the Essenes, he used the word taksis to picture people who were respectful, deferential, courteous, accommodating, well-mannered, and polite.

Taking these meanings into account, First Corinthians 14:40 could be translated:

“Let everything be done in a fitting and proper manner that is organized, well-planned, respectful, well-mannered, and polite.”

This throws open the door to all kinds of worship! It can be quiet, loud, soft, or bold. The important thing is that the time of worship would not be something thrown together at the last minute with no thought or organization. After all, we’re talking about believers coming together to worship the Almighty God! Therefore, when we plan corporate worship, it should be well thought out and organized. Additionally, our time of worship together should be well-mannered, respectful, and polite.

A group of believers can be bold, loud, and well-mannered all at the same time. They can also be soft and quiet while at the same time rude and offensive. The style, use of instruments, and volume level are not the biggest questions in God’s mind. The big question in His mind is this: What is their intent and motivation? If the group’s intent and motivation is correct, their worship will be accompanied by an attitude that reflects the character of Jesus Christ.

So don’t get upset if others worship a little differently from how you are accustomed to worshiping. Jesus is listening to their hearts. He is watching to see how much energy and forethought they put into the plan before they enter into His Presence. Their form of worship may be different than yours, but if they are worshiping God from a pure heart and with their entire being, you can rest assured that their worship is acceptable to Him!

The truth is, God is more interested in the condition of your heart than the style of worship you use in the format of your church service. So instead of focusing on who has the best form of worship, concentrate on whether YOU have an open, pure heart before God!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I want to have an appreciation for the entire Body of Christ and not hold others in judgment because they worship differently than I do. Please forgive me for the times I’ve been so judgmental, narrow-minded, and closed to anyone who does things differently than what I am accustomed to doing. Help me see the wonderful flavors You have placed in Your Church and to learn to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful blend and varieties that exist in Your family!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am tolerant and nonjudgmental toward those who worship God differently than my friends and I. As long as they worship Jesus and do it with all their hearts, I thank God for them. I choose to do everything within my power to show respect for and to honor the way others feel most comfortable in their worship of God. If God sees their hearts and receives their worship, I am in no position to judge or condemn. For the rest of my life, I will no longer take a contentious position against those who represent parts of the Church that are different from mine.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Have you been opinionated and judgmental about other people’s forms of wor­ship?

2. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, what attitude do you think is right for you to have toward other people’s different forms of worship?

3. According to First Corinthians 14:40, what is the most important thing for you to be concerned about in the way a church worships God?