Payday Is on the Way

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
— Hebrews 10:35

If you have ever invested time, money, energy, and commitment into God’s Kingdom that no one knew about except you and the Lord, it did not go unnoticed. The Lord saw it all. And according to Hebrews 10:35, He plans on reimbursing you in full!

The phrase “recompense of reward” is from the Greek word misthapodosia, and it carries the idea of being reimbursed for an expense that a person has paid out of his own pocket in order to get his job done. Here’s a situation that is an example of this definition: A company sends an employee on a business trip. Because the company gives the employee no credit card or cash for the journey, the employee uses his own credit cards and puts his own money on the table. He willingly uses his own resources, at least temporarily, to cover these costs and needs for the organization. (For more on the word misthapodosia, see February 10.)

Of course, it’s always nice when an employee can use a company credit card or corporate cash to handle these travel needs. But because neither cash nor a credit card was available at the time, the employee has no choice but to cover the cost himself and then expect the company to reimburse him later for these expenses. Once the trip is over, it’s time for him to tally up the total amount owed. Then he can be recompensed for what he willingly contributed at a difficult or inconvenient moment.

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Now the Greek word misthapodosia — which essentially conveys the ideas described above — is brought into play in Hebrews 10:35, where the Bible declares: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

The word “confidence” is the Greek word parresia, which refers to bold, frank, forthright speech. This bold kind of speech is often translated in the New Testament as the word “confidence.” Indeed, it does depict a confident kind of speaking — a daring to speak exactly what one believes or thinks with no hesitation or intimidation. Because this kind of speech is so bold, it frequently incites a volatile reaction.

An example of this can be found in First Thessalonians 2:2, where Paul writes, “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” The phrase “bold in our God to speak” is from the word parresia. Paul inserts the words “in our God” to let us know he was so bold that only God could have enabled him to be that audacious. His preaching caused a great stir; therefore, the verse could be translated, “…we were emboldened in God to publicly speak the Gospel and to be very outspoken and forthright in the way we proclaimed it, even though we were thrown into a serious fight with opposing forces that were very hostile to what we were doing and saying.”

Similarly, the word “confidence” used in Hebrews 10:35 also refers to very bold, frank speech — communication that is so strong, listeners may perceive the speaker to be arrogant, haughty, or overconfident. So apparently the believers to whom Hebrews 10:35 was written were speaking something that was very bold and extraordinarily frank. What words were they speaking? They were speaking words of faith!

Apparently these Hebrew Christians had been speaking those words a long time — and they had been waiting and waiting for those faith-filled words to come to pass. After investing their lives, their time, their energy, and their faith into their walk with God, they wanted to see some action! Because their answers hadn’t come yet, they were tempted to throw it all away as though the manifestation was never going to come to pass. That’s why the verse screams at them, “Cast not away your confidence….” God was saying to them, “Don’t throw away your bold confessions of faith!”

Why did they need to hang on and continue believing and speaking words of faith? The verse tells us why: because their confidence — their bold confessions of faith — had great recompense of reward. As discussed above, the word “recompense” is misthapodosia.

God wanted these Hebrew Christians to know:

“…I know what you’ve done to serve Me. I am aware of the time, energy, effort, work, and money you have spent to do the job I sent you to do. Go ahead and tally up what is owed you, and boldly declare that you will be reimbursed. I will see to it that you recoup everything you spent along the way. You’ll get everything that you’ve spent and that you’ve been declaring by faith!”

You may be tempted to feel like you’ve wasted years waiting for your calling or your dream to come to pass. The devil may try to beguile you into thinking your bold confessions of faith are mere fantasies that are never going to happen. But God’s Word promises He will reward you for all you’ve sacrificed and invested along the way. He has heard every faith declaration you have made, and He will reward you and reimburse you for all the time, energy, commitment, and money you’ve given over the years!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I am so thankful that You are always mindful of the time, money, and talents — as well as the blood, sweat, and tears — that I’ve poured into my life assignment. Sometimes when it gets hard or when I get physically or emotionally exhausted, I am tempted to think no one sees or appreciates what I have done. But You have seen it all, and You are going to be faithful to see that I am rewarded for what I have done. I thank You for being so steadfast and faithful and for promising that I will be recompensed for everything I’ve done with a right heart!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I boldly declare that God is going to reward me! God’s Word promises that He sees what I have done and that He will see to it that I am fully recompensed for all I have done in His name. Because I am convinced that God will take care of me, I boldly, frankly, and confidently declare that my payday is on the way! He knows about everything I have done in faith, and He will reward and reimburse me for all the time, energy, commitment, and money I’ve given to His work over the years!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. What are some of the desires of your heart that you’ve recently been boldly confessing by faith so God can bring them to pass in your life?

2. What is the biggest manifestation of faith you’ve ever experienced in your own life?

3. How long did you have to wait before it came to pass?

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
— Matthew 5:15

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, we looked at different ways to shine our light into the darkness and positively influence the world around us. God wants you to be a positive influence in all areas of your life. However, to have the kind of colossal effect that God wants you to have on other people, you cannot hide your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Instead you must put them on full display so you can be the blessing God intends for you to be!

With this truth in mind, I want us to look at Matthew 5:15 where Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick….” At first glance, the word “candlestick” in this verse might give the impression of a candle or candlestick like we use today, but these kinds of candles and candlesticks didn’t exist in New Testament times. Rather, the word “candlestick” in Matthew 5:15 is the Greek word luchnia, which refers to an elevated stand on which an oil lamp is placed. These oil lamps were exactly the kind of lamps described in yesterday’s Sparkling Gem.

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The word luchnia, or “candlestick” is used 12 times in the New Testament to depict this kind of elevated lamp stand. In fact, it is precisely the word John used in Revelation 1:12 and 13 to describe the “seven golden candlesticks” he saw during his vision of Jesus. When John recorded that he saw Jesus standing in the “midst of the seven golden candlesticks” (v. 13), it meant that Jesus was standing in the middle of seven golden elevated stands that had oil lamps resting on top of them. Some scholars suggest that these seven golden lamps may be a reference to a Jewish menorah. Whether this is true or not is not verifiable by Scripture, but one thing is sure — the Greek word luchnia means these oil-burning lamps were sitting on some kind of elevated stand so they could give maximum light.

During the time of the New Testament, it was customary for homes, palaces, businesses, and public buildings to place brightly burning lamps on pedestals because a higher position provided superior light that could illuminate the entire environment. The higher the lamp, the less darkness in a room. Thus, when Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick…,” He was telling us that we must lift our lamps — our gifts, talents, and personal influence — as high as possible. When they are elevated in a highly visible position, God can use us to “give light unto all that are in the house.”

If you keep your light at table level, you’ll illuminate the people around the table. If you keep it in the corner, you’ll illuminate people who are in the corner. But if you lift that same light high, elevate it, put it on a pedestal, and make it visible, it will illuminate everyone in the room where it previously touched only a handful. The amount of light given is the same, but the elevated position of the light makes the light much more effective.

Allow me to share an example from my own life that is integrally tied to the very book you are reading right now. Years ago, I knew God wanted me to write books that would be read around the world. I thought and dreamt about it constantly, but I would also second-guess myself. I would think, Who am I to think people would read something I wrote? Instead of developing my gift and writing books that would shine light into the lives of other people, I only dreamt about it. But one day the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me that it was time to quit dreaming and to start actually using my gifts — elevating them and believing in them — so they could become a blessing to people.

If I had never dared to write or to elevate and promote what I had written, it is doubtful that you would have ever discovered the book you are holding in your hands right now. For my dream to come to pass, I had to accept that my light was needed in the lives of other people, and then I had to elevate it out of the shadows and allow God to use it in His perfect timing to edify and bless others.

The truth is that there are many people who are more talented writers than I, but they’re not known because their gifts are still hidden under a bushel and they therefore have not reached a larger audience. Although their skills are tremendous and loaded with power, they remain unknown and will remain unknown until they are willing to do whatever is required according to the Lord’s instruction to elevate those gifts and put them on a lamp stand where they will be seen and appreciated. Only then will they begin to affect more than the small handful gathered around the table or the few who are sitting in their corner, metaphorically speaking.

If your light is going to be a blessing to the world, then you must dare to lift your light high and put in on a pedestal where people will see it and be affected by it. Once you’ve silenced intimidation and made that bold decision, you begin to fulfill your dream of reaching and illuminating a larger audience.

The believers who have influence in the world — such as those who write the songs you sing, the books you read, or the sermons you hear preached on TV — are not necessarily the most gifted, talented, or anointed people. The truth is that they had the nerve to step out by faith to elevate their abilities, regardless of how good or inferior their abilities were, and today they are renowned and influential. They had the guts and gumption to get their light out from under a bushel and let it shine — and that’s why they have influence and not someone else. A great part of their success is due to their willingness to step out from obscurity to let their light begin to shine.

Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:15). Are your gifts, talents, abilities, and influence giving light to the people around you in all spheres of your life, such as your home, your work, your school, or your church? Think of how deeply satisfying it would be for you to know that people were blessed because you let your light shine!

God has given you everything you need to make that kind of difference in the lives of other people. He has given you the oil and the fire of the Spirit, but you are the only one who can decide to put that light out on a lamp stand where it will be a blessing to others. No one can make that decision for you.

So what are you going to do — keep your gifts, talents, and potential influence a secret, or put your light on a pedestal so it can give light to everyone in the house? There’s one thing for sure — a part of the success in God that you dream about will come as a result of your willingness to step out from obscurity and let your light begin to shine!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I know it’s time for me to quit thinking about what I’m going to do and to start doing it. I’ve prayed, dreamed, talked, and thought about stepping out in faith — and now You are telling me that it’s my time to step up and get started. Your Spirit has been tugging at my heart, trying to get me to come out of hiding and into the light, but I’ve been afraid of what would happen if I took a step of faith. It’s time for me to put my fear aside, put my trust in You, and begin to let my light shine. Holy Spirit, help me have the guts and gumption I need to bring my light out from under the bushel so I can begin to shine brighter and further for You!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I will no longer hide in the shadows and conceal the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has given to me. I’ve hidden them for too long — and now I am willingly making the decision to step out of the shadows and put my light in a place where it will be the blessing God intended it to be. God has gifted me and anointed me, and the Holy Spirit is now telling me that it is my time to rise up and shine. The day of timidity and complacency has passed! I now have the guts, gumption, and boldness needed to use my gifts and abilities to God’s glory and to let them illuminate and influence the largest audience possible!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What are the unique gifts, talents, and special abilities God has given you? What kind of positive impact have you seen when you’ve been bold enough to allow these gifts, talents, and abilities to freely operate?
2. Can you think of any individuals whose gifts and talents are not as great as some other people you might know, but because they were daring and bold, they became well-known and influential? What attitudes do they possess that caused them to rise to the top while others remain in obscurity?
3. If you keep doing exactly what you’re doing right now, where will you be one year from now? Will your progress be any different? Will your influence have grown if you keep doing exactly what you are doing right now? What do you need to do differently in order to gain more ground?

Who Said You Had to Deserve what God Gives You?

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
— 2 Timothy 2:1

Timothy was the pastor of the world’s largest church of that time — the church of Ephesus. It was also the most famous church in the world. Started by Paul, this illustrious congregation included the apostle John as a church member. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also a member of the church in her old age. It was a church like none other before or after it.

What a privilege it was for Timothy to become the pastor of this well-known and powerful congregation! After working side by side with the apostle Paul for many years, he had finally become the leader of his own work. It was a huge assignment for a young man, but after working with Paul all those years, Timothy was ready to step into his own pulpit as the senior pastor of the cherished Ephesian church. As far as we know, it was the first time in his life he served in such a position.

By the time Paul wrote the book of Second Timothy, however, things weren’t going so well in the city of Ephesus. Nero was persecuting the church, and, as a result, church members were deserting the Lord in order to save their lives. Leaders in the church were waging war with each other over doctrinal issues; others didn’t like Timothy and consequently rebelled against his leadership. This young pastor must have felt like he had a mess on his hands! After receiving the honor of becoming senior pastor of the world’s largest church, he may have felt like he was failing at his job.

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Have you ever felt like you were failing with an assignment that was given to you? Or perhaps you feel like you were dealt an unfair hand — that a major assignment was transferred to you just at the point when all hell was about to break loose. Maybe you believe that there was nothing you could have done to change the negative developments that followed. But even if you can logically explain why everything fell apart under your guard, do you still feel responsible for this failure?

It is quite possible that this is how Timothy felt as he presided over the huge church of Ephesus and watched the developing internal problems, such as the defections and the decline in attendance. Many of these things would have occurred regardless of who was senior pastor, but I’m certain Timothy struggled with feeling like he was a dismal failure. He needed a touch from God! He needed strength to stay there and to do what God wanted him to do.

That is why Paul wrote, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). The word “strong” is the Greek word endunamao, and it means to be empowered or to be made strong. If you refer to the January 12 Sparkling Gem, you will see that this is a compound of the words en and dunamis. The word en means in. The word dunamis means explosive strength, ability, and power. It’s where we get the word dynamite.

Thus, this word endunamao presents the picture of an explosive power being deposited into some type of container or vessel, or some other form of receptacle. In this case, the destination of this power was Timothy! He needed power, so Paul told him, “Be strong.” It’s almost as though Paul was saying, “Timothy, it’s time for you to receive the supernatural, dynamic, explosive power that you need! You were designed for this power.…”

Because Timothy was struggling with feelings of failure, he probably didn’t feel worthy to receive a supernatural touch. This is why Paul said, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

The supernatural strengthening you need doesn’t come because you deserve it. God makes His supernatural power available to you and me for free! That is why Paul goes on to say, “…Be strong in the grace….” The phrase “in the grace” is important, because it could be translated, “…Be strong BY MEANS OF the grace that is in Christ Jesus….”

God’s grace makes this strength available to every Christian soldier! This is good news! God’s grace never runs out! His power is available to anyone who releases his or her faith to receive it. And because it’s available by grace — for free — a person doesn’t have to feel worthy to receive it!

As long as there is still grace, there is still a free, supernatural, empowering, inner strengthening available to you — if you reach out and take it. You have to receive a new touch of God’s power freely — by means of God’s grace. The devil will always be around to tell you that you’re not good enough, not worthy enough, not faithful enough to deserve anything from God. But who said you have to deserve anything God gives you? Because Jesus died for you and washed you with His blood, you are a candidate for everything that God possesses!

So quit beating yourself over the head, telling yourself how bad you are and how terribly you’ve failed. If you really did mess up the assignment God gave you, just repent! Then open your heart and ask the Lord to give you a new touch of power so you can get up and start moving again! And if the devil tells you that you’re not worthy to receive a new touch, just answer him: “Devil, I’m going to lay hold of the steady current of God’s power that comes to me as a result of His grace, and there’s not a thing you can do to stop it!”

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I have been made worthy by the blood of Jesus Christ to receive every good thing You have planned and prepared for me. Forgive me for the times I have placed limitations on Your ability to bless me because I thought I wasn’t good enough. It is clear that You want to bless me IN SPITE of me! You are so good to do all the wonderful things You do in my life. Today I thank You for choosing to bless me with the extra strength I so desperately need in my life right now. Thank You for making this power completely available for free!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I declare that thoughts of unworthiness have no place in me. What Jesus does for me, He does for free — just because He loves me. I do not have to worry that I’m not good enough to receive of His goodness, because my feelings don’t have a thing to do with His good pleasure to bless my life. He wants to bless me regardless of anything I do, because it is God’s nature to bless and to do good in my life. Today I receive the power God wants to give me by His grace. I receive it without hesitation, knowing that this is His good pleasure for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Name ten things God has done for you that you don’t feel you deserved. Write them down and really meditate on the grace of God that has been demonstrated in your life.

2. Did the Lord bless you in spite of your feelings of unworthiness?

3. If you need a touch from the Lord today, why don’t you take a few minutes right now to open your heart and let Him fill you to overflowing?

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
— Matthew 5:15

Once while in Israel, I took a break from the speaking schedule at a conference we were conducting to enjoy a quick visit to a local archeologist’s office and take a look at ancient oil lamps he had collected throughout the years. I eagerly waited for him to pull those rare lamps out of a box so I could examine them, but I had no idea how many of them he had collected. There were scores of them — and he let me know that this was just the tip of the iceberg compared to the large collection he had put away in storage.

When he saw the surprised look on my face, he immediately began to explain how the soil of Israel is loaded with archeological relics, including ancient oil lamps. “There are so many of these in the ground that you can just about dig anywhere and find an oil lamp,” he said.

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I asked, “After thousands of years have passed, I thought these would be pretty rare, so why are there still so many of them still being found?”

He answered, “These lamps were the only source of light in the ancient world. As you can see, these lamps aren’t very large. If a person really wanted to light his house or building, he had to use a lot of these lamps. That’s why there are still so many of them scattered in the dirt throughout the land of Israel.”

I reached out to take one of the lamps in my hand. The archeologist told me, “That’s a Herodian lamp that dates to the time of Jesus.” It was small, formed of clay, shaped to hold oil, and had a small opening at the end of the spout where a wick could be inserted into the base of the lamp to soak up oil. In ancient days when it was time to light the lamp, fire was put to the wick. As long as oil was supplied to the base of the lamp, it would keep burning and giving light.

Today that Herodian lamp sits on my desk in Moscow — and every time I stop to look at it, my mind goes to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:15. He said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

The word “candle” in this verse gives the impression of a wax candle like we use today, but during the days when Jesus walked the earth, there were no wax candles such as the ones we use. This word “candle” is an unfortunate translation of the Greek word luchnos, a word that refers to an oil lamp exactly like the ones I just described. A literal translation of this verse should read, “Neither do men light an oil lamp and put it under a bushel.…”

In this text, Jesus was exhorting the disciples — and us — to let our light shine before men so we can influence the world around us. He used the example of an oil lamp to make His point, so before we proceed any further, I believe we should delve deeper to see why Jesus used an oil lamp and why this imagery is such a perfect illustration of us!

Oil lamps were made of clay and were very fragile. In fact, they were so fragile that they could be broken by a mere squeeze of the hand holding them. Even in Jesus’ day, these oil lamps had to be handled carefully lest they break, the oil spill out, and the light be lost.

Now do you see why Jesus used oil lamps to depict you and me? Although our bodies are a miracle created by God, like the oil lamps in this illustration, we are made from the clay of the earth and we are very fragile. The real miracle is that God would choose to put His Spirit inside us. That is why the apostle Paul wrote about it with such wonder in Second Corinthians 4:7. In that verse, he said, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels….”

The example Paul gave in this verse is not exactly the same as the oil lamps in Jesus’ illustration, but the point is precisely the same. In this verse, Paul used the Greek word ostrakinos when he referred to us as being “earthen vessels.” The word ostrakinos describes easily broken pottery made of inferior materials. Shoddy, deficient, substandard pottery is exactly the kind of “earthen vessels” Paul had in mind when he wrote Second Corinthians 4:7. He used the illustration of cheaply made pottery to epitomize us. That explains his amazement that God would place His Spirit in us! Think of what a miracle it is that God would place His Spirit inside you and me!

The lamps in Jesus’ illustration were fragile oil lamps, yet they contained oil that empowered the light. In the Old and New Testaments, oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Just like the oil in the lamps to which Jesus referred, God has placed His Spirit in us. Although at times we feel fragile, as long as we yield to the Lord, He continually resupplies us with enough of the Holy Spirit’s oil to keep us burning through the night so we can give light to those who are in darkness around us. We have a continual supply of the oil and the fire of the Holy Spirit!

But in Matthew 5:15, Jesus told us, “Neither do men light a candle [i.e., an oil lamp], and put it under a bushel.…” What did He mean when He spoke about putting a lamp under a “bushel,” and what is a “bushel”?

The word “bushel” is the Greek word modios. It refers to a jar or container that was used to measure grain. To put a lamp under a jar or container where there is no oxygen would obviously put out the light. Do you see what a powerful statement Jesus was making? He was driving the point home that it makes no sense to light a lamp and then put it under a bushel where no one can see it. Why would anyone want to do that? Furthermore, putting a lamp under a bushel where there is no oxygen would be sure to smother the light.

By using this example, Jesus strongly admonished us to keep our gifts, talents, and influence out in the open where they can be seen, where they can grow, and where they can provide light to other people.

Why would God give you gifts to benefit others and then have you hide them where no one can see them or appreciate them? God never intended for you to conceal your gifts or to hide your influence. He wants your light to shine brightly!

Maybe you’ve seen yourself as being inferior, or maybe the devil has assaulted your self-image and tempted you to wrongly believe that you have nothing to offer. Perhaps you have felt that you fall short in comparison to others whose gifts and talents shine especially bright. But if you’ve kept your gifts and talents under wraps, you may be shocked to discover how gifted and talented you really are and how much potential influence is inside you just waiting to be tapped. You just have to give yourself the opportunity to shine!

It’s time for you to quit hiding in the shadows! God put His Spirit and supernatural abilities inside you — and that truth alone should bring you out into the open! His Spirit in you is a rich reservoir of oil that will burn long and burn brightly. You have what it takes to be a success!

But for you to be the phenomenal success and influence God knows that you can be, you have to be willing to quit putting yourself down. And then you have to choose to step out of the shadows! It’s time for you to come out from under that bushel where you’ve been hiding and let the Holy Spirit light your wick with a fire that will make you shine for Him! As long as you are willing to keep yielding to the Holy Spirit, He will keep filling and supplying you with enough oil to burn long and burn strong so you can be a source of light and illumination to many people all the days of your life on this earth.

What a waste of time it is for you to buy into the devil’s lies and badger yourself with thoughts that you have nothing to offer! God’s Spirit lives in you, and if you’ll dare to let Him do it, He will burn so brightly in your life that you will become an illuminating force to people all around you. But if you refuse to bring your gifts and talents out from under wraps, no one will ever know what God has put in you. And if you neglect those God-given endowments too long, eventually they will begin to diminish, just like a fire that eventually goes out for lack of oxygen.

So why don’t you make the decision today to get out of the box of insecurity and complacency that has contained you? Stop telling yourself you’re not as good or talented as others, and start using what God has given you for His glory! As you press into Him and put your wick down deep into the oil of the Holy Spirit, you’ll become so saturated with His presence that you’ll begin to burn brighter and brighter for Jesus. Just let your gifts flow, and become the influence He intended you to be! Believe me, friend, you’ve got everything it takes!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, my heart is filled with gratitude today for Your Spirit inside me. What a miracle it is that You would place Your richest treasure in me! Today I want to surrender to You anew, and I ask You to refill me with a full supply of the Holy Spirit’s oil so I may burn long and bright in this life. You have called me, equipped me, and anointed me to do great things in this life. I know I have been guilty of putting my light under a bushel, but I’ll do it no more! I’m making the decision to step out of the shadows and allow God to release my gifts and talents when and how He desires. I choose to shine my light where it will be a benefit to someone else. Jesus, I thank You for helping me realize that it’s time for me to step up and step out so that I can be the godly influence You want me to be in someone else’s life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am stepping out of the shadows. I am releasing my gifts, and I am making the decision to let my light shine so I can be the blessing to others God intends me to be. I am finished badgering myself and putting myself down. I will no longer hide my light and life under a bushel. I am filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit’s oil. His fire is burning brightly in me, and very soon it will be evident for all to see!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you truthfully say that you are using all the gifts and talents that God has given you, or have you been reluctant to step out in faith and let those gifts and talents work? What is stopping you from being all that God has planned for you to be?
2. Think just for a moment about your life, and assess the various ways you are using the gifts and talents God gave you. Where are you using them, how are you using them, and are you using them to your maximum potential? Have you ever considered how your life would change if you actually let God’s gifts fully operate in you?
3. Have you sought the Lord to discover where He might want to position you so your gifts can operate for His purposes? What is the lampstand where your gifts could be best utilized for His glory in this season of your life?

You Are One Of God’s Pillars

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….
—1 Corinthians 15:58

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, Wow, that person is such a rock! What does it mean to you when you think of someone as a “rock”? That’s a strong statement, so it would be well worth your time to think it through and decide what characteristic makes a person a “rock” to you, to someone else, or to a church, business, or organization. Even more importantly, would others call you a “rock”?

In First Corinthians 15:58, Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….” I want you to look at the word “stedfast” in this verse, because it illustrates what kind of person God considers to be a “rock” in His family.

What does it mean to be steadfast? This word “steadfast” is the Greek word edraios, which has several meanings:

•  It means to be stationary, such as something that sits in one place for a long, long time.
•  It describes something that is firm and steady.
•  It was frequently used in connection with foundations or support structures in buildings.
•  It portrays something that is strong, unbendable, unbreakable, and permanent, such as a well-built foundation for a large building or a strong column that holds up a roof.

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So when Paul urges us to be “steadfast,” he’s calling on us to be totally reliable — not shaky or undependable. We should be stationary in the roles God has called us to fulfill in the Body of Christ. We shouldn’t be quickly shaken or easily lured to some other place or some other task. We must be like pillars, foundations, or supports in the house of God.

When you take the Greek word edraios into consideration, it means First Corinthians 15:58 could be interpreted:

“…Be reliable; dependable; not easily excited, shaken, or affected….”

What is the purpose of a huge stone pillar in a building? Its purpose is to support the roof or some other important section of the building, correct? What would happen if you suddenly jerked that pillar out of its place? You’d find out very quickly that the pillar had been essential to holding up the place! Remove that pillar, and the entire building would collapse into a heap of rubble, creating a horrible, terrible mess!

When God tells you to be “steadfast,” He is asking you to be a “rock” in His house — like a pillar that faithfully stands in its place and helps to hold things together. He wants you to be so dependable that people lean on you, counting on the fact that you’ll always be there to help keep things together. And when events occur that shake up everyone’s world a bit, God wants people to look to you as one who isn’t easily excited, shaken, or affected.

Now that you know the kind of “rock” God needs you to be, would you say that you qualify to be called a “rock” today? Would others call you a “rock,” or would they say you are up again, down again; easily excited; and not too dependable? If you got real honest with yourself, would you judge yourself to be steady, sturdy, and reliable — or unpredictable and undependable?

Don’t view yourself as small, insignificant, or unimportant. God needs you, and other people are depending on you. It’s time for you to realize that God meant for you to be a part of the foundation of the Body of Christ! You can be a “rock” in His family and a person on whom others can lean and depend.

If you’re thinking differently than this, you need to change your thinking. Instead of focusing on how insignificant you are in God’s great plan for these last days, start focusing on becoming steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work the Lord has assigned to you!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I want to be the person You and others can depend on. Forgive me for any instability in my life, and help me overcome every weakness in my character. Just as I have looked for others to be “rocks” in my life, I want to be a “rock” to other people. I have a lot of room for development in my life, but I am willing to be changed. I want to be taught, corrected, and taken to a higher level. Today I ask You to do whatever is necessary to make me the strong and reliable kind of person You want me to be! Please do Your special work inside me!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that God’s Word overcomes the weaknesses in my personality and character. God calls me to be “steadfast” — and I AM steadfast. God and people see me like a pillar that stands in its place and helps to hold things together. I am so dependable that people can lean on me, counting on the fact that I will always be there to help keep things together. When events occur that shake up the world around me, I am not easily excited, shaken, or affected. Praise God, I am becoming more and more dependable all the time! When people hear my name, they think of someone on whom they can rely!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Can you think of five people who have been “rocks” in your life? Why not go out of your way to let those people know how much you appreciate them?

2. What strengths did those people exhibit that made you think so highly of them?

3. Is there anyone who needs your strength right now? What can you do to be a “rock” to that person in his time of need?

Why Not Bring Others Into the Project

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
— Romans 12:3

When a person is a brand-new leader, he often mistakenly assumes that being a leader means he has to know it all. As a result, he puts himself under unnecessary stress, trying to project himself as one who knows everything. His need to appear as an “expert” at everything reveals an immature understanding of what true leadership is all about.

When a leader keeps everything in his own hands and doesn’t allow anyone else to do anything, this leads to frustration for the team members working with him. It is especially frustrating when there are people surrounding the leader who know the answers, who are experts in their fields, and who really could help. But they have to silently sit by and just watch the leader struggle as he tries to be “Mr. Super Leader,” never asking his team for help.

No one has all the answers! The smartest leaders in the world are those who realize both their gifts and their limitations. A leader is being wise when he recognizes his need for gifted, talented, willing-minded people to chip in and help him effectively do what he is called to do. No one can do it all alone.

If you will open your eyes and look around, you’ll find that God has graciously surrounded you with the very people you need. They are just waiting for your invitation to help you nurture your God-given dreams, visions, and projects and bring them to fulfillment.

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In Romans 12:3, Paul spoke about our need for others in our lives. He said, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

If anyone could have thought highly of himself, it was Paul — and he would have been correct! He formerly had been a lawyer, politician, and Pharisee. No doubt he was also once very wealthy. Now Paul could claim that he had seen Jesus and had been taught by Him (Galatians 1:12). In regard to his own apostleship, he acknowledged that his apostleship to the Gentiles was “mighty” (Galatians 2:8). In fact, it was so mighty that when those who were appointed as apostles before Paul saw the great grace in his life, they extended to him the right hand of fellowship and invited him into their inner sanctum. In Second Peter 3:16, Peter writes that the profound nature of Paul’s revelation was so extraordinary that even he wrestled to comprehend it all.

Yet Paul is the one who admonishes us not to think too highly of ourselves but to learn to view ourselves “soberly.” The word “soberly” is the Greek word sophroneo, and it means to be of sound mind; to be reasonable; to be balanced and levelheaded in the way one thinks; to maintain a proper appraisal, measurement, or value; to think clearly about one’s limitations. In other words, we are not to pretend to be more than we are!

Although Paul stood in a class by himself and could boast of unprecedented accomplishments, he recognized his need for other members of the team. That’s why he leaned so heavily on Timothy, Titus, Luke, Barnabas, Silas, Sosthenes, and others. The understanding of his own limitations is the reason Paul could rejoice that others were on his team. Thus, he could write with no sense of being threatened by someone else, “I planted, but Apollos watered….” Apollos contributed a part that Paul would never have brought into the project. Paul was a dynamic planter, but Apollos was an excellent nurturer. Paul needed all his team members to bring his job to maturity.

Of course, you need to recognize your own God-given abilities and use them. God wants you to develop your gifts and use your talents to become the very best you can be. But when you come to the edge of your limitations, realize that it’s all right for you to say:

•  “This is too much for me!”
•  “This is a project that I’m not anointed to do!”
•  “This demands gifts and talents that I don’t possess!”
•  “This is a time for someone else to take the lead!”
•  “This assignment is going to take teamwork, because I can’t do it by myself.”

God intended for you to be a part of a team! If you try to act like you can do everything on your own, you’re going to find it quite humiliating when you fail miserably in front of everyone.

Trying to tackle a huge project all by yourself is the surest way to end up embarrassed in front of others. When you fail and fall flat on your face, you’ll regret that you didn’t say, “I think someone else can do this job better than I can. This is simply not where I’m most gifted. Who can help me out with this project?”

So instead of thinking too highly of yourself and attempting to go it alone with every project you undertake, be smart! Develop a team mentality. Bring others into the project with you as the Lord leads. Recognize your limitations, and seek out those who have the gifts and talents you need. Rather than try to figure everything out by yourself, let the people around you contribute their thoughts, views, and insights. Let them use the talents and abilities God gave them. You can accomplish a whole lot more as a team than you can do by yourself.

The next time you set out to accomplish a task God has assigned to you, remember — there are other members of the Body of Christ too! You’re not the only one who is called and has faith. God has gifted His entire Body with faith and spiritual gifts. Rather than trying to do it all by yourself, think “soberly.” Recognize your limitations, and allow other people to be used by God too!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, give me the grace to recognize both my abilities and limitations. Help me be unafraid to admit when I’ve overstepped my bounds and tried to tackle something bigger than my abilities. In those moments, please enable me to ask others to join the project and to help me do what I cannot accomplish by myself. I really need You to help me overcome my weaknesses and my fears that others may be better gifted than I am. I know You have placed people all around me to be blessings in my life, so today I am turning to You. Help me recognize these people and receive them as the blessings You intend for them to be.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am part of a team as God intended for me to be! I don’t think too highly of myself, nor do I attempt to go it alone with every project I undertake. I have a team mentality. I recognize my limitations and seek out those who have the gifts and talents I need. Rather than try to figure out everything by myself, I let the people around me contribute their thoughts, views, and insights. I want them to use the talents and abilities God gave them, because we can do a whole lot more as a team than I can do by myself. 

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Do you feel secure enough to say, “This project is too big for me; I need someone else to step in and help me”?

2. If you were really honest with yourself, would you have to confess that at times you’ve put a lot of pressure on yourself to do everything when there were others who could have pitched in and helped?

3. Are you the kind of person who includes others, or do you shut out other people, giving them no chance to contribute their gifts, talents, or ideas?

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
— Matthew 5:14

Just a three-mile walk from the town of Nazareth is an ancient city called Sepphoris — a city so elegant in ancient times that it was known as the ornament of Galilee. Although it dates to Greek times, the city of Sepphoris was enhanced at the orders of Herod Antipas concurrent to the time Jesus was growing up three miles away in Nazareth. Many people from Nazareth were engaged in rebuilding this fabulous, wealthy city that was the northern home and administrative center for Herod Antipas.

The remarkable city of Sepphoris also became the center of trade and commerce in the northern region of Israel, and it was one of the largest banking centers of the Middle East. Because of the extreme wealth of this city, it had facilities that would normally be associated only with larger cities, such as a huge theater that had a constant array of dramatic presentations. The city had scores of beautiful upper-class villas to accommodate the wealthy people who lived there, and it was adorned with some of the finest mosaics that existed in the First Century. In fact, even today one can see some of the finest examples of early mosaics lying in the ancient ruins of Sepphoris.

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This city was exquisite in every way. Sophisticated and wealthy, it attracted visitors from around the world. Every day one could experience a wide range of different cultures, ethnic groups, and customs. People could be heard speaking Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic in the streets. It was a tri-lingual city known for being open-minded and for having an emphasis on learning, education, and business. This city was so splendid that it influenced the entire region of Galilee.

Three miles away was Nazareth, a small village occupied mostly by workers who were employed in the enhancement of Sepphoris. It was here that Jesus grew up with His parents. Jesus’ father was a carpenter, from the Greek word teknos — a term that describes not a carpenter as we think of that profession, but a highly skilled craftsman who works in stone. Or it could even be used to depict a construction-site supervisor. Considering the likelihood that a little town such as Nazareth would not have much work available for a man with these skills, it is likely that Joseph was involved in the high level of construction taking place in nearby Sepphoris.

Growing up next door to such a splendid city, there is little doubt that young Jesus stood in Nazareth and gazed upon “the city set on a hill” that was just a short distance away. From that viewpoint, and especially at night, the city of Sepphoris would have been a spectacular sight. The gleaming lights of countless torches and oil lamps would have shone forth from the city. It must have looked splendid as the lights sparkled and glistened from the majestic buildings in the distance.

Everyone who lived in Galilee also fell under the influence of Sepphoris. Its style, its learned culture, its banking system, its mixture of languages — all of these factors had an influence on Galilee. And by reading Jesus’ words in the Gospels, it is clear that this “city set on a hill” had an influence on Jesus too. Although He actually grew up in Nazareth, a small and obscure village, He was familiar and comfortable with words, phrases, and knowledge that would not be customary for a boy from a village.

For example, when Jesus told stories, He used illustrations that included vivid descriptions concerning the lifestyles of the wealthy, including the kind of clothes they wore and the luxury they possessed in their daily lives. He spoke of governmental authorities as if He had personal knowledge of the subject — a level of knowledge He could have attained by observation at nearby Sepphoris. When Jesus spoke about money, He used massive amounts of money in His examples — something a village boy would know nothing about unless he had seen it somewhere. And at times, Jesus even used banking terms when He related His stories.

Where did a boy from Nazareth learn about all of these things?

This “city set on a hill” almost certainly had a great influence on the life of Jesus from His early childhood, during the time He was growing up as a small boy. Living under the influence of that city helped to form His worldview and His appreciation of different cultures. It gave Jesus experience broad enough to enable Him to venture far beyond Nazareth and speak authoritatively to people on every level of life.

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus was speaking to His disciples about being an influence in the world. He told them, “Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” When Jesus spoke these words, His childhood view of Sepphoris in all likelihood stood out in His mind — the image of a city that shone so brightly that its light could not be hidden. The lights of the city penetrated the darkness and gave light to the night.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus continued to exhort His disciples, saying, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

My friend, let me remind you that God saved you, redeemed you, delivered you, and filled you with the light of His Word. Don’t be ashamed of what God has done in you. It’s time for you to let that light shine brightly so it can penetrate the darkness in the lives of others and give light to guide them through the night they are experiencing right now in their lives.

If you’re like a majority of people, you have probably spent a lot of time putting yourself down and badgering yourself about your failures — and you’ve been tempted to largely forget about the great work God has done in your life. But it’s time for you to put an end to that downward spiral. Stop berating yourself over your missteps, and starting thanking God for the progress you’ve already made! Then reach out to someone else in need so you can become a godly influence to benefit another. That person can be touched, changed, and shaped by the light in your life.

I promise you there are people observing you and taking note of the light that is shining in your life. You may not be aware of it, but that person or group of people are witnessing the way you live, how you act, what you do, and what kind of excellence and attitude you demonstrate in your life. They are watching you — and you are making an impact on their lives.

What an opportunity you have to become a godly influence on someone else who really needs your example. As you lean on the Holy Spirit and do your best to obey Him, that light will begin to shine into someone else’s darkness. As you walk in obedience, the Holy Spirit will use you to demonstrate God’s Word to someone who really needs your influence. You, my friend, are a city on a hill, so let your light shine!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I am thankful that You believe I can be a light in someone else’s life! So often I am overly aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings, and I forget what a great work You have already done in me. Forgive me for not expressing my gratitude to You more frequently for the precious changes You have already brought about in my life. Many people sit in darkness and struggle to find their way in life, and today I hear Your Spirit beckoning me to let my light shine before men that they may glorify You and so that I might have a godly influence on someone else’s life. I accept the call of the Spirit, and I will do my best to let Your light in me shine forth to people who are seeking direction for their lives!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God has done a great work in my life and that I have something I can share and impart to others who are seeking direction for their lives. I am finished with berating myself about what I’ve done wrong. God has done such a precious work in my life. From this moment onward, I will throw back my shoulders, hold my head high, acknowledge the good work that God has done in my life, and let His light in my life shine before all men!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of individuals with whom you hold special influence right now? Who are those individuals and in what ways do you think you are influencing their lives?
2. Can you think of someone who is struggling in life right now and needs a good example to follow? Who is that person? How can you help him or her?
3. Can you think of people who influenced you in the past with their godly example? Aren’t you grateful that they allowed God to use them in your life? Who were those individuals? Have you ever taken time to express your gratitude to them? If you haven’t already thanked them, what is stopping you from taking a few minutes to express your appreciation to them today?

Now he which established us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.
— 2 Corinthians 1:21

We once found a building that had great potential to become the headquarters for our ministry in Russia. The size was perfect; the location was ideal; and the price was remarkably low. We knew a deal like this didn’t come along very often, so we quickly moved to contact the seller. When we met him to discuss the building and its legal status, it sounded like everything was in order, so we requested that all the official documents concerning the building be delivered to our office for review.

Soon a huge pile of documents was delivered to our office so we could begin the difficult and laborious process of validating that everything was legally in order. When I saw the stack of documents on the table, I knew the task before us was immense, so we hired a lawyer to immediately get to work on this project. She estimated it could take up to two months to verify the legal status of this building. However, when we were only a few days into the process, we discovered there were serious complications with this property. Everything was not as it first seemed! Day by day, we dug up evidence of a mountain of problems associated with this property.

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First things first! Before I am going to sign a contract and put my reputation on the line, I want to know that the paperwork is in order and be assured there is no risk to the ministry. Then and only then will I sign a deal! In the case of the documents concerning this prospective new building, I had adamantly refused to proceed until all the paperwork was in order — and I’m so glad I did!

Doing “due diligence” is always smart before we finalize a deal and sign our name on a contract that legally binds us. But consider this: God also does “due diligence” before He decides whom He will and will not use. If it is logical to do research before signing a contract involving a large sum of money, think how much more logical it is for God to validate, confirm, and certify that we are ready for a big task before He promotes us into a visible position where we will represent Him before many people.

Let’s apply this to you for a moment. Perhaps you have a big dream in your heart and a desire for God to use you in a significant way. You may feel eager to get started and wish things would start moving faster. But you need to know that God is not focused on the clock as we usually are. He is more concerned about character, integrity, faithfulness, and purity of heart than about the calendar. These deeper issues are the things God focuses on to see if you and I are ready for a new assignment.

Perhaps you’ve heard the old phrase, “Don’t get the cart before the horse.” Nothing could be more applicable to what I am saying right now. God isn’t going to get the cart before the horse. He isn’t going to promote you until He confirms that you are ready and have the inward makings for greater responsibility. This principle is clear in Second Corinthians 1:21, where the apostle Paul wrote, “Now he which established us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.”

Today I want to draw your attention to the word “established” in the first part of this verse. It is the old Greek word bebaios, a word that means firm, durable, dependable, or reliable. By using this word, Paul affirmed that God wants to “establish” us — that is, to make us firm in faith, durable to withstand any spiritual condition, and steadfast, trustworthy, dependable, or reliable. These are traits He wants to produce in every child of God. Aren’t you glad He is steadfastly working to establish you and to make you strong?

You may not feel that you have reached this goal yet, but be assured that God is working deep inside to bring you to this place of firmness, durability, and reliability. Especially if you want God to use you in a mighty way, you must possess these vital character traits. It takes firmness to stand for God. Anyone who is a leader must have durability to resist difficult, painful, awkward, or uncomfortable times. For you to represent God, He must be assured that you are the kind of person on whom He may rely.

But there is another insight regarding the word bebaios that is very significant in the context of this verse. This is extremely important for you to understand because it demonstrates that God doesn’t lay His hand on someone in a mighty way until He has first done “due diligence” to make sure that person is ready for a greater task.

The word bebaios was also a legal term used to depict the lengthy and intensive investigative process involved to validate if a document was trustworthy.

In the ancient world, documents were written by hand. If those writing or copying the documents were not careful, mistakes could be made of great legal consequence. Because these often-occurring mistakes made documents flawed, it was not considered wise to give one’s final approval to a document until it was tested and proven trustworthy. So before a deal was finalized, it was prudent to test the document to validate its reliability. If the document was found to be valid, the contract could be quickly concluded. If the document had errors in it, those errors had to be corrected before the papers were signed and the seal of approval pressed into the hot wax. To sign a document and put one’s seal of approval upon it without first validating it would have been an act of foolishness. You will understand in just a moment why this concept is so important in the study of this verse.

Let’s go further into the verse and look at the word “anointed.” The word “anointed” comes from the Greek word chrio, which means to rub, to bathe, and, in certain contexts, to massage. This word depicted the application of various substances, such as oil, medicine, and water — and in some ancient texts, it even depicted the application of poison. In most cases, however, the word chrio was used to depict the anointing of oil. In the Old and New Testament, the word “anoint” is primarily used to depict a person who is anointed by God with the Holy Spirit.

To get the full grasp of the word “anointing” and how it was used in connection with the application of oil, we must stop and ponder the manner in which oil was applied to a recipient. When a person was anointed with oil in ancient times, a prophet, priest, doctor, or therapist would pour oil into his own hands. Once his hands were doused with oil, he would then place his hands on the subject and begin to massage or press the oil into the person’s head, hair, or flesh. So the word “anoint” didn’t just describe the pouring of oil from an upside-down bottle to drain every drop onto a person. The word depicts the generous application of the oil on a beneficiary by the hands of a master. Oil was very expensive and not to be wasted, so the notion of simply turning a bottle upside down and pouring its contents on a person was almost non-existent. Oil was far too precious to be applied in such a manner.

For a person to be anointed with oil, it required the anointer to put his hands on the anointed. In the truest sense, the word “anoint” describes a “hands-on” experience, for it was nearly impossible to be anointed without someone putting his hands on the recipient in order to apply the oil.

In a religious and political context, the laying on of hands was very important. The moment hands were publicly laid on someone, it was viewed as endorsement or approval. For example, when elected officials were installed into office, the senior body of politicians publicly laid hands on him as a way of declaring that he was officially endorsed and therefore empowered to do his job. In both Old and New Testament writings, we find that the laying on of hands was similarly used to declare support and endorsement of an individual. Especially in the early New Testament, the laying on of hands was so significant that it became an official ordinance of the church that was used when a person was promoted into a public position of leadership. When hands were laid on a person, it was also a public pronouncement of approval.

Now let’s take this truth and apply it to the principle we’re studying in Second Corinthians 1:21. In this verse, we find that God does not lay His hands on a person and thereby endorse him or her until He has first validated that the person is trustworthy of such an anointing. God does not quickly lay hands on anyone in this way. Furthermore, the moment God lays His hands on someone is the moment the oil of the Holy Spirit is imparted in a greater way. That oil is applied to a person’s life with God’s very own hands. This act is so holy that God does not carry it out before doing “due diligence” to validate that a person is trustworthy of a greater anointing.

The apostle Paul wrote that we are “epistles” that are read and known of all men (see 2 Corinthians 3:2). That means you are a living document — and God is reading the pages of your life to observe how you live, how you speak, how you treat others, and so on. He is doing investigative research to determine if you are ready for a promotion or a greater anointing. Don’t be too surprised if God finds a few errors that need correction, for none of us is perfect. If there are issues that need correcting — and I’m certain there are — you must allow the Holy Spirit to put you through a process to correct those flaws before you get the big break you’ve been dreaming of or before God promotes you to a higher level of responsibility. Remember, God is more concerned about character, integrity, faithfulness, morality, and purity of heart than He is about meeting your schedule requirements! God needs leaders who are firm, durable, reliable, sound, and trustworthy.

Rather than get in too big of a hurry and rush forward to seize positions you’re not ready for, it would be wise for you to take time to get established and work on eradicating errors in your life that would later discredit you, weaken you, or put your ministry, business, or dream at risk. Make it your goal to let God establish you and work these ingredients into your life so He can afterward put His hand on you and thereby anoint you for greater assignments.

First things first! Never forget that the anointing is serious to God — and before He gives you more, He first wants to validate that you are ready for a new dose of the Holy Spirit!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I ask You to work deeply in my life to make me the kind of person I need to be. You know how I desire for You to use me. Your Spirit has filled my heart with dreams of greatness, and I long for the day when You trust me enough to give me a bigger assignment in life. For now, I ask You to delve deep into my life — into my character, my level of integrity, my faithfulness, and my personal purity — to show me any areas that are weak and deficient. Rather than complain that it’s taking too long to get started at fulfilling my dream, help me realize that this is a God-given time to strengthen my foundation and to make sure I am ready for the big assignment when it finally comes along!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am allowing God’s Spirit to examine my heart in order to find any areas that could potentially discredit me, weaken me, or spoil my God-given dream. It is good that God has given me this time to look at my heart and to prepare myself. It is an opportunity to strengthen my foundation so that in the future, my life can support the great work that God will entrust to me. I don’t complain that it is taking too long or grumble that this time of waiting is difficult. Instead, I embrace this season of preparation as a gift from God to make sure that I am right, that my foundation is right, and that I am ready for the long-awaited assignments that He will give to me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of any areas in your life right now that could potentially weaken you or even “take you down” later in life if you don’t deal with it and correct it immediately?
2. Have you ever made a list of the areas in your life that you need to be improving and changing? Before you get too busy today, I recommend you take a few minutes to pray and make a list of those areas that need your attention. It won’t take too long to do it, but it will help you focus on areas where you need to change.
3. Can you think of a person who was promoted too high or too quickly, and he came tumbling down because of flaws in his life that had never been corrected? Who was that person, and what can you learn by contemplating what he experienced?

Hang In There And Don’t Give Up

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
— James 1:2-4

In the earliest years of the Church, the believers faced unremitting persecution. Every day they were confronted by hostile powers that were arrayed against them. Culture, pagan religion, government, unsaved family and friends — all these forces were arrayed against them, putting constant pressure on them to forfeit their faith and return to their old ways.

Even if you are facing great challenges today, it doesn’t begin to match the pressure these brothers and sisters felt. I don’t want to make light of the struggles you’re going through, but the truth is, very few people alive today have faced the level of intense opposition that these early believers faced.

Think about it — do you personally know anyone who has been thrown into the arena to be mauled and eaten by hungry lions? Do you know anyone who has been burned at the stake for his faith? Or can you think of any friends of yours who have been forced into imprisonment because of their faith in Jesus Christ?

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Now, these scenarios do happen today to believers who live in anti-Christian parts of the world, and we definitely need to hold them up in prayer. Let’s not forget about them, nor about those who suffer for the Gospel in countries that are blessed with freedom. It is a statistical fact that since the year 1900, more than 29 million believers have died worldwide for their faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, large numbers of people currently die for Jesus every single day. By the time we get up, get dressed, and arrive at work to clock in for the day, someone, somewhere, has already laid down his life for the Gospel.

This puts a different light on the problems we face in the free world. Our problems are related to relationships, finances, family issues, health issues, and other problems of a personal nature. The stress that believers experience in free parts of the world is often related to having too much work to do; being under pressure due to the intense nature of their jobs; or trying to figure out how to handle their busy schedules. Although no one in his or her neighborhood or local church is currently being fed to hungry lions, the stresses and pressures a believer feels can nonetheless be very severe.

So no matter where you live or what you’re facing, remember that it’s essential to have the right attitude toward high-pressure situations! The Early Church called “patience” the “queen of all virtues.” They believed that if they possessed this one virtue, they could survive anything that ever came against them. It is this same virtue that is sustaining believers today who live in godless regions of the world — and this virtue is exactly what you need to victoriously outlast the pressures and ordeals you may be dealing with today.

James was writing to believers who were undergoing the kind of hardships described above. He told them, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

The word “patience” is the Greek word hupomeno — a compound of the words hupo and meno. The word hupo means under, as to be underneath something. The word meno means to stay or to abide. You could say that the word meno means to remain in one’s spot; to keep a position; to resolve to maintain some territory that has been gained. It is the state of mind that says, “This is my spot, and I’m not moving!”

The determination inherent within the word hupomeno is clearly seen when it was used in a military sense to picture soldiers who were ordered to maintain their positions even in the face of fierce combat. Their order was to stand their ground and defend what had been gained. To keep that ground, they had to be courageous to do whatever was required — no matter how hard or difficult the assignment. Their goal was to see that they survived every attack and held their position until they had outlived and outlasted the resistance. These soldiers had to indefinitely and defiantly stick it out until the enemy realized they couldn’t be beaten and decided to retreat and go elsewhere.

Thus, the word hupomeno conveys the idea of being steadfast, consistent, unwavering, and unflinching. It is the attitude that declares, “I don’t care how heavy the load gets or how much pressure I’m under, I am not budging one inch! This is my spot, and I’m telling you right now that there isn’t enough pressure in the whole world to make me move and give it up!”

Although the King James Version translates this word “patience,” a more accurate rendering would be endurance. One scholar calls it staying power, whereas another contemporary translator calls it hang-in-there power. Both of these translations adequately express the right idea about hupomeno. This is an attitude that never gives up! It holds out, holds on, outlasts, and perseveres.

Revelation 1:9 uses the word hupomeno when it refers to “the patience of Jesus Christ.” In Second Thessalonians 3:5, this word is also used in the phrase, “the patient waiting for Christ,” which could be translated, “…The patience of Jesus Christ — that attitude that hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles, and turning down every opportunity to quit.” This word illustrates the patient endurance Jesus demonstrated during His trial, scourging, and crucifixion. Even though the assignment was the most difficult task ever given to anyone, Jesus stayed with it all the way to the end.

Keeping all this in mind, James 1:4 could be interpreted:

“But let patience have her perfect work — I’m talking about the kind of attitude that hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles and turning down every opportunity to quit….”

The Early Church called patience the “queen of all virtues” for good reason. They knew that as long as they had this character quality working in their lives, it wasn’t a question of if they would win their battles — it was only a question of when they would win their battles.

Hupomeno — that is, endurance, staying power, hang-in-there power — is one of the major weapons you need to outlast any difficulty or time of stress and pressure that comes your way. So if you’re going through some rough circumstances at the moment, be encouraged! It’s a fleeting and temporary condition that will soon change! It’s time for you to get your eyes off your challenges and to stop fixating on your problems. Make up your mind that you’re going to stand your ground and hang in there. It won’t be long until the problems flee — and when they do, you’ll be so glad you didn’t give up!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, help me stand my ground and defend what I have gained, no matter how difficult it might be to do this. I know that with Your supernatural help, I can outlive and outlast the resistance. With Your Spirit’s power working inside me, I know I can indefinitely and defiantly stick it out until the enemy realizes he cannot beat me and decides to retreat.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am steadfast, consistent, unwavering, and unflinching. I don’t care how heavy the load gets or how much pressure I’m under, I am not budging one inch! This is my spot, and there isn’t enough pressure in the whole world to make me move and give it up! I have supernatural endurance — staying power, hang-in-there power — and an attitude that holds out, holds on, outlasts, and perseveres until the victory is won and the goal is reached!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. What is the biggest difficulty and pressure you are facing in your life right now?

2. Have you determined to stay put, never giving up and never budging, until the devil gives up on his attack to defeat you?

3. Can you recall some difficulties in the past where you stood your ground and refused to give up until the victory came? How did you do it?

‘Perilous Times’ In the Last Days

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
— 2 Timothy 3:1

The Bible makes it unmistakably plain that in the last days, the world will be filled with difficulties, the like of which have never before been known in the history of mankind. In fact, the Holy Spirit was so committed to making sure we understand what will occur in the last days that in Second Timothy 3:1, it is as if He points His prophetic finger two thousand years into the future and specifically foretells what will occur at the end of the age.

Paul wrote these words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Second Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Notice that this verse begins by saying, “This know.…” The word “know” is the Greek word ginosko, the Greek word for knowledge. But in this verse, it is used in the present imperative tense, which means it is a strong command to recognize that there is something that must be known, must be recognized, and must be acknowledged. Having this knowledge is not optional; it is mandatory.

The verse continues, “This know also, that in the last days.…” The word “last” in this verse is from the word eschatos, which points to the ultimate end of a thing — such as the last month of the year; the last week of the month; the last day of a week; or the very extreme end of the age. In other words, the word eschatos doesn’t merely describe the last days in general, but the very last of the last days. It was used in classical Greek literature to depict a place furthest away, such as the very ends of the earth. In this sense, it also signified something that is final.

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With this word eschatos, the Holy Spirit through Paul takes us right into the end of the age to enlighten our eyes and help us see what the world environment will be like in the concluding moments of the age. Paul goes on to say that “perilous” times will mark that final age. “Perilous” is the Greek word chalepos — a word used to describe ugly words that, when spoken, are hurtful and emotionally hard to bear. It is also used in various pieces of literature to depict wild, vicious, uncontrollable animals that are unpredictable and dangerous. It always carries the idea of an action, place, person, or thing that is harsh, harmful, and filled with high risk.

This is the very word used in Matthew 8:28 to portray the two demon-possessed men who were so legendary in the country of the Gadarenes. It says, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” The words “exceeding fierce” is this same word chalepos. This means the two demon-possessed men were like wild, vicious, and uncontrollable animals, completely unpredictable and dangerous. Simply being in the region near these men placed one’s life in jeopardy because these demonized men were chalepos — harsh and harmful, presenting a high risk to anyone in the region.

Taking the definitions of all these words into consideration, Second Timothy 3:1 could be taken to mean:

“You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age, hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.”

Considering the events that have shaken the world in recent years, we shouldn’t be shocked to hear that this is the meaning of Second Timothy 3:1. Dangerous, harmful, high-risk periods of time have already arrived! We are living in a generation that faces world threats no other generation has ever known. As always, the Holy Spirit was correct in what He was trying to tell us.

But why did the Holy Spirit forewarn us about these events? Were His prophetic warnings intended to scare or to fill us with fear? No!  The Holy Spirit, as He always has done, wanted to prepare God’s people so they could be spiritually alert and ready to minister to people who suffer harm as a result of the events that will grip the world at the end of the age.

According to Second Timothy 3:1, we are living in an age that will be marked by “perilous” world events. Let us therefore be wise, protecting our minds, our family members, and every other area of our lives by renewing our minds with the Word of God. Rather than hide in fear, let’s get God’s perspective about what we should be doing to help people who have been victimized by this age. Let’s move out with the power of God and be ready to minister to those who have suffered harm because of the times in which we live!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, You designed me to live in these last days according to Your great plan. Because You are in charge of my life, I know it’s no mistake that I am alive in this generation. Since these days are filled with greater risk than any other generation has ever known, I need faith to face these times victoriously. I need wisdom to minister to others who are wounded and hurt. So today I ask You to help me embrace this time as a part of my destiny and to become strong in faith so I can reach out to those who are near me and who need spiritual assistance! Help me to recognize their need and to know exactly how I should respond to help them.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I declare by faith that I am chosen and equipped to live in this last generation. The Word of God protects my mind, my family, and everything that is a part of my life. I will renew my mind with the Word of God and get God’s perspective about what His role is for me in these last days. Therefore, I will be a blessing and a help to people who have been victimized by these difficult and trying times. Rather than hide in fear, I will move out with the power of God and stay ever-ready to minister to those who have suffered harm because of the times in which we live!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

Questions to Answer

1. Are you heeding the warning of the Holy Spirit to be spiritually alert in these last days?

2. If God were to ask you to minister to someone who is suffering, do you feel prepared to help that person? How can you become better prepared?

3. Do you feel overcome with fear or filled with faith as you contemplate what it will take to face the special challenges of our generation?