For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
— Matthew 25:29

A business consultant who gave high-dollar lectures to large companies once asked me, “Rick, how are you able to accomplish all that you do in your ministry? It seems like God keeps handing new assignments to you.”

I was blessed by this man’s view of our ministry, as he was a very serious businessman who had seen a lot over the course of his career. As I pondered his compliment, I was reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:29, which says, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” The word “abundance” in this verse is the Greek word perisseuo, which means to abound or to have something in excess. In some places in the Greek New Testament, it carries the ideas of something that is given generously or something that is overflowing, plentiful, or even superabundant.

As I look back on all our years of ministry, I believe the word “abundance” perfectly describes the many assignments that God has given me. When it seems there is no more in us to take on new assignments, that is often when God opens a marvelous new door and beckons us to walk through it. These past adventures of faith and obedience have built a strong foundation for our ministry, which enables us to do more and more with the help of our well-trained team. Although there is still much room for growth, the strides we’ve made over the years in our personal lives, in our spiritual walks, and in the structure of our organization have put us on solid ground and demonstrated to the Lord that we are capable of doing more. So “more” is exactly what the Lord continues to give us!

In Matthew 25:29, Jesus teaches that how you perform in your current endeavor determines whether or not God gives you greater, more significant responsibilities in the future. God is watching you right now to see if you will prove yourself faithful in your present task because it shows Him whether or not you can be trusted with a big promotion. Your future is contingent on your attitude and job performance in the present!

Therefore, it’s important that you take a thorough look at yourself and honestly evaluate your condition. Ask yourself the following questions:

Your honest answers to these questions should help you determine whether or not you are the kind of person to whom God wants to give additional responsibilities in the future. Don’t despair if your answers are less than satisfactory. Simply determine to make necessary adjustments in your life and become the kind of person God looks for when He needs someone to fulfill an assignment from Heaven!

One thing is certain: God does not choose lazy people who sit around doing nothing. Think about it. Why would He call someone to do His work when that person hasn’t successfully done his or her own work?

There is not a single example in Scripture of God significantly using a person who was idly sitting around and wasting time when He called them. All the men and women of God in the Bible were already busy doing something when God spoke to them.

Consider Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:14-30, which tells of the master who gave talents to three of his servants. Jesus says that when the master returned from his long trip, he expected to see increase and productivity as a result of his gifts. The two servants who were faithful and worked hard were richly rewarded. However, Jesus describes the servant who brought no increase or productivity as “unprofitable.” The Greek word for “unprofitable” is achreios, which means useless. It is the picture of a person who contributes so little that he is essentially worthless, and it reveals a lot about how Jesus views lazy people.

Through this parable, Jesus teaches that faithfulness and hard work is commendable in the Kingdom of God. When God needs someone to do something for Him, He looks for hardworking, faithful, “use-what-they-have” individuals who have already demonstrated worth. These people already know how to handle money; they know how to work; and they know how to stick with the job until it’s done. Maybe they are still growing in these areas, but they have done enough to demonstrate to God that they can be trusted with more.

The Bible is loaded with examples of men and women of God who exude these qualities. The following list provides a few examples of strategic, well-known, key Bible personalities who were already successful before God called them, and there are many, many more found in Scripture.

This is just a small, representative list of the many similar cases I could show you from both the Old and New Testaments. God called these individuals because they had already proved their work ethic through their previous endeavors. By observation, He knew each of them could be trusted with a greater assignment.

You might try to put together a list of people who were doing nothing when God chose them for a big assignment. If you do, I believe you’ll have a very difficult time assimilating such a list. I actually tried once to compile one, and I couldn’t think of anyone who was used significantly by God but was doing nothing when He called him.

Maybe you think you have enough on your plate already, and that may be a fair point. But know that when God finds someone faithful, He likes to give that person more responsibility because He knows He’s finally found someone He can trust. Therefore, don’t be too surprised if more is given to you in “abundance.” Just consider it the harvest of faithfulness and a demonstration of God’s trust in you!

I encourage you today to conduct a deliberate self-evaluation to see how you’re doing in your walk with God and where you need to grow and change. As God observes your willingness to yield to the necessary process of preparation, He will know when you are ready for more.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I pray that You will help me honestly evaluate myself and my performance. Even more, I ask for Your grace to help me see where I need to change. I receive Your empowerment to make the necessary adjustments so You can trust me with more responsibility. In those areas where I have not done well, I ask You to forgive me, and I receive Your forgiveness. With the power of the Holy Spirit and my decision to change, I believe that I’ll make forward progress in my life and that You will put more on my plate because You’ve seen that I am faithful with what I’m doing right now.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am faithful with what God assigned me to do right now. God is watching me; He is evaluating my performance; and He sees that I am doing the best I can with the knowledge and experience that I possess. I confess that I am willing to grow and change in the areas where I have not done well. I refuse to shut my eyes to the truth, and I will be honest with myself about the areas I need to change. God’s Spirit is helping me — and with His help, I will become a vessel that God knows He can depend on and use.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Take a moment to think about people whom God called upon to do great things. Can you think of any who were doing nothing at the time that God called them?
  2. Based on the conclusion that God gives more to people who are doing well with what he has already given them to do, how do you evaluate yourself? Are you a candidate to whom God would consider giving more responsibility?
  3. As you evaluate yourself honestly, what are the areas that you know need to change?

But let patience have her perfect work….
— James 1:4

Today I want to talk to you again about patience. Early Church leaders called this remarkable godly trait the “queen of all virtues.” They understood that if you had patience, it was never a question of whether or not you would win a battle — it was only a matter of when you would win it.

That is a true statement that is borne out in Scripture, and Denise and I have certainly proven the spiritual effectiveness of patience in our own lives and ministry. I’ve said so many times that the Greek word for “patience” is one of my favorite words in the New Testament! How we all need this extraordinary quality working in our lives today.

Let’s look at this word “patience” to see why Early Church leaders valued this characteristic so highly.

As we have seen, the word “patience” comes from the Greek word hupomeno, a compound of the words hupo and meno. The word hupo means under, as to be underneath something that is very heavy. The word meno means to stay or to abide. It describes a resolute decision to remain in one’s spot; to keep a position; or to maintain territory that has been gained. But when the words hupo and meno are compounded to form the word hupomeno, the new word portrays a person who is under some type of heavy load, but who refuses to stray from his position because he is committed to his task. Regardless of how heavy the load, how fierce the opposition, how intense the stress, or how much weight is thrown against him, this person is inwardly resolved that he is not going to move. He is committed to stay put, and he will never surrender for any reason.

In the earliest years of the Church, believers faced long periods of unremitting persecution. They were confronted by a host of hostile powers that were arrayed against them. The pervading immoral culture, pagan religions, secular government, unsaved family and friends — all of these external forces put constant pressure on the early believers to forfeit their faith and return to their old ways.

But the early believers firmly believed that if they had hupomeno, they would survive and outlast all the opposition. This is why they referred to this spiritual characteristic as the “queen of all virtues.” It was believed that if Christians possessed this one virtue, they could survive anything that came against them. Believers understood that if hupomeno was operational in their lives, the question was no longer if they would overcome their battles, but rather when that victory would come.

The sense of determination inherent in the word hupomeno is clearly seen when it is used in a military sense to portray soldiers who were ordered to maintain their positions, even in the face of fierce combat. Their order was to stand their ground and defend every inch of territory that had been gained. To do that, the soldiers resolved to courageously do whatever was required to fulfill the assignment — no matter how difficult the challenge. Their goal was to see that they survived every attack and held their position until they had outlasted the resistance. These soldiers had to indefinitely and defiantly stick it out until the enemy, realizing the soldiers couldn’t be beaten, therefore decided to give up and retreat. Thus, the word hupomeno conveys the idea of being steadfast, consistent, unwavering, and unflinching.

The King James Version translates the Greek word hupomeno as “patience,” but a more accurate rendering of this word would be endurance. A good way to translate this word hupomeno in modern terms is staying power or hang-in-there power. Both of these interpretations correctly express the concept behind hupomeno, because it is the attitude that hangs in there, never gives up, refuses to surrender to obstacles, and turns down every opportunity to quit.

If a person has hupomeno working in his life, it means he is committed to standing by his faith, his task, or a principle of truth, regardless of the price to be paid. This person possesses a steadfast, tenacious attitude that refuses to crumble or concede to defeat. Nothing can change his mind or sway his determination to maintain his position — not external circumstances, other people’s words, or any other attempt to manipulate or change his stance.

Likewise, for you to survive the seemingly unremitting pressure and opposition that Satan or life itself wages against you, it is essential for you to have hupomeno — that persistent, steadfast, tenacious spirit that refuses to crumble or concede to defeat. If you possess this quality, you will not surrender in the face of pressure or capitulate to the forces that attempt to stamp you out. It may seem like you are facing the impossible, but if you refuse to budge or give an inch, the opposition will eventually move off — and you will score a major victory in your fight of faith!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I draw upon the might of Your invincible life within me, and I ask You to help me cultivate Your character trait of this never-give-up kind patient endurance in my life. Help me rely upon and release the power of the Holy Spirit so that I do not bend or surrender in the face of pressure — or capitulate to the forces that have tried to conquer me. I ask You, Holy Spirit, to infuse me with Your mighty power in my inner man so that I will be strong and enduring. Fill me with Your staying power — Your divine hang-in-there power — to outlast the odds and to eventually win the battle that has been arrayed against me. It’s just a matter of time until the opposition folds and goes away, but I need patience to stay in the fight until that glorious moment of victory occurs. I receive Your help today!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


By faith, I declare that I have the inner fortitude to outlast every skirmish that the enemy has tried to array against my life. Because the Holy Spirit is inside me, I am tougher than any circumstances I face. I do not bend. I do not break. The Lord is my Strength and my impenetrable Shield; therefore, I do not yield to the pressures that try to move me from His promises for my life. Patience works in me — and that means I have been fortified with God’s very own hang-in-there power that never surrenders an inch of what He has promised to me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you recall a time in your life when you won a battle simply because you were patient and lasted longer than the attack?
  2. When the pressure let up and you finally won that particular fight, were you glad that you hadn’t thrown in the towel and quit?
  3. What battles are you facing right now that will require you to exercise patience until you win?

 

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
— Philippians 2:4

As a pastor, one of the saddest realizations I’ve had to face over the years is that many people think of themselves disproportionately more than they think of anyone else. They are often self-consumed, but they don’t even realize it. They think of themselves, talk about themselves, worry about themselves, spend money on themselves, think and talk about their needs, and so on. They don’t deliberately act this way; they are simply self-absorbed. In fact, I can’t imagine anyone acting like that on purpose! To be perfectly honest, this kind of attitude and behavior is so repulsive that I find myself trying to run from such individuals because I just don’t want to get caught up in a conversation with them.

I’m not talking only about church members; some of the most self-consumed people I’ve ever met have been in the ministry. It shouldn’t be that way — but often it is the case. They want to tell you all about their ministry, their outreaches, and everything else great that they are doing. What’s so sad is that these same people often never ask a single question of the person they’re talking to in order to know more about him or her. It’s usually a one-sided conversation about what matters to them — because that is who is uppermost on their hearts and minds: themselves.

It doesn’t take too long to figure out when you’re with that kind of person, because the person’s mouth quickly reveals the truth about what is in “the abundance of their hearts” (see Matthew 12:34). Even as I write this, specific individuals come to mind. When I see them, I immediately begin to look for an exit or a way to avoid them — because I know that once they “capture” me, I’m going to be a prisoner to their conversation. They are so self-consumed that I can’t even break into the conversation to say I need to be going for an appointment or previous engagement.

Often the conversation ends and these individuals have never asked a single question about what the Lord is doing in our lives or ministry — except to say, “Oh, I’ve talked the whole time and never let you tell me anything about what you’re doing.” And that’s all right with me because I don’t think they really cared, or they would have made room for it in the conversation.

Over the years, I’ve had to come face to face with the fact that there are just some people who are that way, and they seem to be stuck in that rut of self-absorption. I’m not being critical or judgmental; I’m simply making a sad observation that’s forthright and honest. Some people are simply all about themselves with seemingly no capacity or ability to leave room in their lives for others. Even if the other party tried to interject something about himself in the conversation with people who fit this description, they wouldn’t listen very deeply because their thoughts are too involved with themselves.

It is unfortunate that this kind of behavior should exist in the Christian community, because we, more than any other group of people on earth, should live to know more about others and how to serve others. If we are totally consumed with ourselves, we are missing the point of the Christian life in a very big way.

The apostle Paul must have faced this same disappointing experience with people, because when he wrote Philippians 2:4, he referred to this type of behavior among believers and urged them to put a stop to it. He said, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” The original Greek is very strong and should be taken as a prohibition!

The word “look” is the present active participle of the word skopeo. The word skopeo means to intensely focus on something. In this case, Paul was talking about people who were completely fixated on themselves. But he forbade them to act like this, and that’s why he used a negative prohibition in conjunction with it. It’s just not right for Christians to be so self-absorbed that they focus only on themselves and never ask a thing or pose a care about anyone else. And I’ll tell you the truth — people will generally try to avoid dealing with this particular character defect. They’ll try to run from it!

That’s why Paul continued to say, “Look not every man on his own things….” The words “every man” is the Greek word hekastos, which literally means every man — no one excluded. In other words, regardless of who you are or how much you’ve done with your life, it’s wrong to be so completely self-absorbed that all you can see is yourself and your own deeds and needs.

This applies to everyone! Thus, this verse should be taken as a rebuke to those who constantly focus on and talk only about themselves. And it serves as an encouragement to get our eyes off ourselves and to remember to think of others and to show concern about them too.

Paul continued, “…But every man also on the things of others.” Notice Paul began with “but every man also.” This is a transition that emphatically tells the reader that it is right to also focus on others — on things besides himself and his own interests.

The words “every man” is the same word hekastos, meaning every man with no one excluded. A more literal translation would read, “But let every single one of you….” Then Paul added to his inspired instruction, saying that we should focus “…also on the things of others.” Rather than focus on ourselves, every single one of us should be focused intensely on the things of others!

The words “the things” in this verse is the Greek word ta, which means the things of others — and that would include anything that the other person involved in a social setting wanted to share. However, the problem often is that the other person never gets an opportunity to talk because the one who is so self-focused absorbs all the time there is to talk and to share. Then when it’s time to part, there is no mutual caring or sharing because one person dominated the whole conversation. This is extremely selfish and often hurtful to the “captive” member who was overlooked in the conversation.

Paul was grateful for his relationships with Timothy, Luke, Epaphroditus, and other members of his team who genuinely cared for him. He listened to them, and they likewise listened to him. There was a mutual sharing and caring between them. I, too, am thankful for the people in my life who want to hear what I think and feel — and they know I genuinely want to hear what they think and feel as well.

Self-centeredness is easily detectable, because such people usually don’t maintain long-term friendships. The truth is, others can smell the odor of self-consumed focus in their every word, and it’s an invisible stench that repels.

If you’ve ever been trapped in a conversation with a person like this, you know exactly what it’s like to wish you could somehow escape! But rather than focus on the misdeeds of others, let’s all look in the mirror and make sure that we do not fall into this self-absorbed category of people that we’re talking about today.

When we leave a person and a conversation, let’s endeavor to leave the fragrance of Christ’s love in our wake. Let’s make it a goal to leave that conversation knowing that we did our best to get better acquainted with that person’s heart and to discover more of the Father’s heart for his or her life. Let’s deliberately show those we speak with the attention they deserve and leave them wondering why we never have much to say about ourselves! I think that is what Jesus would do!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, how many times have my thoughts, words, and actions been focused on me, my problems, or my preferences? Whether I did this privately or even more regrettably with others, I repent for such selfishness. Father, my utmost desire is to reflect You to others, just as Jesus did when He walked on the earth. You are Love, my Father. Therefore, I ask You to help me leave the undeniable fragrance of Your goodness and love upon every life that I touch.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Spirit of God who dwells within me. Therefore, I am not haughty, arrogant, conceited, or inflated with pride because I walk in humility, patience, and kindness that God’s own loving nature reproduces in me. I choose to walk in God’s love, and that sets me free from fear, which includes carnal craving for self- exaltation, self-protection, self-promotion, and any attitude that exalts fleshly preference above godly character and priorities. When others leave my presence, they sense that God’s love has encouraged and lifted them higher than they were before. And when I encounter people who are so self-absorbed that they cannot see beyond themselves, God’s love shines so brightly through me that their hearts are touched and stirred to seek Jesus more deeply and to be like Him.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever been trapped in a conversation you couldn’t seem to get out of — being dominated by a person who talked incessantly about himself or herself?
  2. When you leave a person, do you know more about that individual, or did he or she only hear about you and what you were doing in life?
  3. How do you think Jesus behaved when He was with people? Did He show interest in them or talk only about Himself?

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto we which are saved it is the power of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:18

Since Jesus rose from the dead, different people have responded differently to the preaching of the Cross. Some reject it, while others receive the message by faith and thus experience the power of God. Paul referred to this dichotomy of response when he wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto we which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The word “foolishness” in this verse is from the word moria, which means foolish, stupid, or unintelligent and describes unacceptable behavior, thought, or speech. From this word moria, we derive the word moron. To the Greek and Roman mind, to believe in Christ and in His Cross alone as the way to salvation was the belief of a moron. This kind of exclusive and “narrow” behavior, thought, or speech was simply unacceptable. When confronted with the message of the Gospel, a pagan of that time would have forthrightly exclaimed, “It is stupid, unintelligent, and unacceptable to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.”

Paul continued in First Corinthians 1:18, saying, “…Unto we which are saved it is the power of God.” The word “power” is the Greek word dunamis, which is most often used in ancient literature to depict military might or the ability to conquer. In fact, it is used 210 times in the New Testament to denote strength and conquering ability. For those who don’t believe in Jesus and have never experienced the delivering and conquering power of the Gospel, this message may seem to be foolishness. But those who have repented and have entered into covenant with Jesus Christ know the delivering, conquering power of these mighty words. It is no foolishness to the redeemed — it is the lifesaving power of God !

In the early days of the Church, the message of the Cross — backed with the power of the Spirit — produced life wherever it found open hearts to receive its eternal truth. It ignited new birth in the hearts of men, broke the yoke of spiritual bondage off of people’s lives, brought healing to bodies and minds ravaged by sickness and disease, and delivered people of defiling demonic influences from their previous pagan environment.

There was, there is, and there always will be wonder-working power in the message of the Cross. It may seem primitive or foolish to those who do not believe — but to those of us who are saved, this is the power of God unto salvation. For us, it is clear: There is salvation in no other.

Jesus is the only name given to man by which we can be saved (see Acts 4:12). The Cross is still the power of salvation to those who believe!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the life-saving, transforming power of the Cross of Christ. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on that Cross to pay the price for my freedom. Thank You that the Holy Spirit opened my spiritual ears to hear and that my heart believed the message. I gratefully rejoice that the Cross is still the power of God to us who believe.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that my life has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross. That Cross has become the wisdom and power of God to me. Because of the Cross, I am freed from sin, bondage, sickness, and disease. It has been, is now, and will always be the power of God to me and to all those who believe. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that proclaims the power of the Cross. I am attentive and available to the Spirit of God so He can use me as He desires — both to proclaim and to demonstrate the power of the Cross so that men may receive the saving knowledge of its truth!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you remember the first time you heard the message of the Cross preached? Where were you, who preached it, and what effect did it have upon you?
  2. In what ways has your life been changed since you first heard the message of the Cross, and the power of Christ was released in you? Do you continue to meditate upon what Christ accomplished for you through His death, burial, and resurrection?
  3. Do you know anyone who thinks the message of the Cross is foolishness? Do you pray for that person’s eyes to be opened to the truth?

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable…
— 2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV

It is a sad reality that some Christians have earned bad reputations for being dishonest. As a result of their dishonest, dishonorable words and actions, others were negatively affected.

The truth is, we have a God-given responsibility to hold up the name of Jesus in all our words and our deeds. Our lives should demonstrate that we are honest and that we do those things that are honorable to Jesus’ name. This is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable…” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV).

Over the years in our ministry, Denise and I have had our “fair share” of dealing with dishonest Christians as we’ve pressed forward to take new territory for the Kingdom of God. It is amazing how such individuals can smile with so much enthusiasm and glee while knowing in their hearts that they’re scheming to do something dishonest. Thankfully, this group of people constitutes a minority of believers — yet this small minority can leave a bad taste in one’s mouth and have a widespread negative effect, especially if the person they’ve wounded tells others about the ordeal.

In moments when we experience the unpleasantness of someone’s dishonorable behavior, it would be wise for us to remember that even Jesus had an insincere person — Judas Iscariot — on His team. So it should not surprise us if we occasionally experience a disappointing personal encounter with a fellow Christian. From time to time, it simply happens — and when it does, we must forgive and move on without spreading the bad news to others whom it will disappoint and hurt. Only those who are in authority need to be informed when such an event occurs.

If this happens to you, I advise you not to slip into a mode of judging those who let you down. They may simply be believers whose minds are not yet renewed to truth and right behavior. Down the road in their Christian walk, after God works in their hearts and minds, they may repent and come back to ask your forgiveness. So when you have a disappointing experience with a fellow Christian, it’s vital that you keep your own heart free of judgment and bitterness. Instead of letting that bad experience get the best of you, focus on your own actions and make sure that you are not among those who portray a bad image of believers in Jesus Christ!

As Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians, he told them, “Now I pray to God that you do no evil…but that you should do that which is honorable” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV). In light of today’s conversation so far, let’s look a little deeper at this verse.

The words “now I” are a translation of the Greek word echometha, which would be better translated, “Now we….” It tells us that this was not the prayer request of Paul singularly — rather, his entire apostolic team was praying for honorable behavior among the readers of the apostle’s letter. As a city, Corinth had a bad reputation for being swindlers and cheaters. Paul’s entire company was concerned about the behavior of the Corinthian believers. And they prayed against it, believing that the Christians in Corinth would conduct their lives in a way that reflected integrity, honesty, and honor.

Paul wrote specifically that they prayed the Corinthians would “do no evil.” The word “evil” is from the word kakos — a word that describes something that brings harm and thus produces bitterness in the recipient or recipients of the evil actions or conduct. Kakos denotes something that is unfair, unjust, or destructive — thus, as noted, the result of this kind of behavior leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the one to whom the “evil” was done.

In Greek, when Paul wrote the words “do no evil,” he used a strong form of the word “no”— meaning he was giving a very strong prohibition against those “evil” kinds of actions and activities. This tells us that Paul was not making a mere suggestion; he was giving a command to his readers to come up higher in their motives and actions.

For the believer, Paul simply left no room and no excuse for a lack of integrity. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us today through this verse, telling us that we must also do nothing that is deliberately or knowingly wrong — or that would cause embitterment in another person. Instead, Paul commanded us, “that you should do what is honorable” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV).

The word “do” is a form of the Greek word poieo, which carries the idea of creativity. In other words, if finding a way to do something right, good, fair, and honorable doesn’t come to you easily, ask the Holy Spirit to help you get creative about ways to do what is helpful and beneficial to others.

The King James Version translates the word “honorable” as “honest.” The word “honest” is from the Greek word kalos, and it describes something that is done with good in mind or in a noble or honorable way. It denotes something that is unblemished and pure. We might say that kalos carries the idea of actions that are ethical, principled, morally correct, upright, or full of integrity. Kalos denotes the highest and finest kind of aspiration — the desire to do something in the most correct and honest manner.

In summation, the Holy Spirit — speaking through the apostle Paul — pleads with us to do that which is honest, honorable, and good. He strongly urges us never to deliberately do anything that would cause hurt to others. In fact, He warns us that there is no place for this type of behavior in the life of a committed Christian. We must constantly remember that what we do reflects on the good name of Jesus. If we’re tempted to do something that lacks integrity, we need to pull back, repent, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us speak the truth and to do what is just, fair, helpful, and beneficial to those who could be affected by our actions.

I urge you to read the questions that follow and sincerely ask if there is any area of your life that needs to be changed concerning showing honor to Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit is right there inside you to open your eyes to anything that needs to be corrected. He simply needs a heart that is willing to see the truth and to respond to what He shows you and tells you to do. Open your heart and let the Holy Spirit help you. Refuse to do anything that is morally or ethically questionable. Allow Him to help you set your heart on behaving uprightly in your words and deeds.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Holy Spirit, after reading today’s Sparkling Gem, I am more determined than ever before to yield to You — the Spirit of Truth — in every area of my life. I commit to be honest and forthcoming in all my dealings with people in my life. If I’ve ever caused harm to a fellow Christian or hurt the reputation of Jesus’ name, I ask You for forgiveness. As I look back on my life, I can’t think of a time when I’ve done this intentionally. But perhaps I have a poor memory. So just in case I’ve been guilty in some way of dishonoring the name of Jesus or grieving the Person of the Holy Spirit by my poor actions and behavior, I repent and ask You to forgive me so the slate will be clear in my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I will not be involved in any type of sinful shenanigans that would hurt the testimony of Jesus’ name or that would cause people to retreat from fellowshipping with His Church. I will walk worthily of the calling that has been given to me. I will walk in integrity and be forthright, even if it costs me personally to be honest and truthful. I declare that I will not deliberately do evil to anyone, but I make it my aim to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in a noble and honorable manner in all things!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you think of a time when some fellow believer did some questionable things that hurt his or her Christian testimony? When was that? In the end, what happened? Were people hurt by this person’s lack of Christian integrity?
  2. Has there been a time in your own life when you acted manipulatively to get what you wanted? Were you truthful, or did you twist the facts and the story in order to gain some kind of advantage? Did the Holy Spirit convict you that this was wrong? Did you ever go back to those individuals with whom you were dishonest and ask them for forgiveness?
  3. Can you recall someone who was spiritually damaged because of something a Christian did that was full of dishonesty and ulterior motives? Did that person who was hurt write everyone else off because of that one experience? Have you ever done anything to attempt to restore that believer back into fellowship with a church?

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
— 2 Timothy 4:4

In our home in Russia, Denise and I have several black, lacquered boxes that are precious Russian works of art. They were painted using a centuries-old technique, and each box contains up to 16 layers of papier-mâché. The work is so intricate, in fact, the scenes on these boxes were painstakingly painted with a brush containing only one hair! Then when the painting was finished on one of these boxes, the artist would burnish it with the tooth of a wolf.

Four main schools taught and performed this method, and when the art form first began in Russia, the intricate scenery on these boxes primarily consisted of religious icons and scenery depicting religious events and nobility. But the art changed after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Under Communism, the artists who masterfully created these works of art were no longer allowed to paint religious themes because atheism had become the “religion” of the State.

Because these artists still possessed their amazing talent and desired to continue creating these magnificent boxes, they stopped painting religious iconography and began painting fairytales instead. They continued to work in the same artistic style, but new subjects began to appear on the boxes. In addition to painting scenes from popular fables or painting depictions of mythical characters, these artists were commissioned to paint pictorials of the revolution, Soviet labor, industrial giants, and Communist party leaders. So these gifted artists didn’t stop painting; they simply stopped painting the truth!

Every time I look at one of these boxes in our home, I think of a generation of artists that changed — and I also think of a generation of God-called ministers, many of whom the Bible says will change. Having once preached the truth, they will begin preaching something other than the pure truth they once ministered.

The creators of those old lacquer boxes kept practicing their art, but they changed and began to do it differently. Similarly, the Bible prophesies that some ministers in the last days will keep practicing their vocation, but they’ll begin to do it differently. They’ll possess the same God-given gifts, talents, anointing, and calling they always had — but because of people’s “itching ears” (see 2 Timothy 4:3), these men and women of God will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn instead to fables, or myths.

Let’s look first at First Timothy 1:3 — Paul’s earlier warning to Timothy, his son in the faith: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”

The words “other doctrine” are especially significant. The word “doctrine” is the Greek word heterodidaskalos, which is a compound of the words heteros and didaskalos. The word heteros means of a different kind. The word didaskalos means teaching. So when these two words are compounded, it means teachings of a different kind — indicating incorrect teaching. When Paul made this charge to Timothy, he was in essence saying, “…That you might charge some that they not engage or participate in teaching of a different kind.”

Well, what about this “teaching of a different kind”? It was teaching, all right. In fact, it sounded so much on the surface like real Bible teaching that Paul used the word from the Greek didaskalos — the Greek word for “doctrine” — to describe it. So it sounded like doctrine, but Paul was warning Timothy to listen carefully — because this teaching had a different ring to it. It was doctrine of a different kind. It had been twisted and altered from its original state.

In First Timothy 1:4-6, Paul continued, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” Then in verse 6, he said, “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling.”

The word “swerved” in this verse comes from the Greek word astocheo, which means to miss the mark or to deviate from truth. So if a minister has swerved from preaching correct doctrine, it means he or she is not hitting the target any longer. The words “turned aside” are translated from the Greek word ektrepo, a medical term that describes a bone out of joint. If you’ve ever had a bone out of joint, you know firsthand that the experience is a very painful one!

Similarly, Paul was telling us that when a minister swerves and turns aside from truth — teaching something other than the truth he previously taught — it’s like a bone that’s out of joint. And just as a bone that’s out of joint affects the whole body, naturally speaking, when a minister gets out of joint with his doctrine, it affects the entire local body that he is a part of.

So many are hungry for the pure teaching of God’s Word but they’re not receiving it because much of the solid teaching that was taught to earlier generations has been replaced by motivational sermons — or teaching of a different kind. But when the Bible is taught correctly, it has a sobering effect on people. It helps them keep their own heads on straight. It helps them win in the circumstances of life and to bear fruit to the glory of God. And it stabilizes them in times of great instability and uncertainty.

Especially because we live in the last days when the Holy Spirit prophesied that some leaders would go astray in their doctrine, we must pray for God to raise up skilled, solid Bible teachers who will feed the pure Word of God to people whose hearts are crying out for it. God’s people need good teaching, so let’s be united in prayer for God-sent leaders who will not twist or alter what the Bible says in order to appease a crowd with “itching ears.” Let’s pray for bold preachers who will refuse to revert to motivational messages instead of preaching the Word of truth. Nothing is more powerful than truth, mixed with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

That’s what I think of when I look at the black lacquered boxes that we have on display in our home in Moscow. I keep them in view as a beautiful reminder that I am never to deviate from the original call of God on my life or from putting out a sound message that has the power to transform people’s lives!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Heavenly Father, I know that we are living in the last days. I ask You to help me keep my head on straight when it comes to the preaching and teaching of the Bible. This is a day when truth is being traded for motivational messages, and many in the Church don’t even know the basic tenets of the faith anymore. I ask You to help me stay on track with solid Bible teaching. Keep me rooted and grounded in the Word of God, I present myself to You to use as a source of strong teaching for people who are new in the Lord or who are simply hungry for deeper and balanced teaching!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I have been taught the Word of God and that I stand on a strong, stable doctrinal foundation. My spiritual senses are so exercised that I am able to discern true teaching from myth-like teaching. My heart goes out to those who are not able to discern the difference, and I will do everything in my ability to help put people on a strong doctrinal foundation that will hold them up in the times ahead. I am thankful for the Word of God that has been placed in my life. I honor it. I cherish it. And I accept the responsibility to help share it with others.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Where did you receive your doctrinal foundation? Who taught you the basic doctrines and tenets of the Christian faith? Do you value what they taught you — and have you ever taken the time to personally thank those people for placing you on such a rock-solid foundation?
  2. Can you think of an example of a teaching that has heresy in it, but people at large have accepted it, because they don’t have enough Bible teaching in their own lives to be able to discern the difference between good and bad spiritual food? What is an example that quickly comes to your mind?
  3. Have you been accused of being spiritually “stuck” because you don’t go with every wind of doctrine that blows through the Church? When Paul talks about enduring afflictions from other believers (see 2 Corinthians 11:26), do you understand what he is talking about? Have you ever experienced that from other Christians?

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
— Colossians 3:14

Can you imagine loving with such a pure love that you expect nothing back in return and it’s impossible for you to feel hurt or let down by the response of the recipients of your love? You don’t love them for the purpose of getting something in return; you shower them with love simply because you love them. That love is entirely possible, because it’s God’s agape love, and He has shed His love abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). This is why I call agape a high-level love. It is a love that has no strings attached, a love that loves simply and purely — the God-kind of love.

In today’s Sparkling Gem, we are going to look at this God-kind of love through Paul’s words in Colossians 3:14, where he commanded us, “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

The phrase “put on” is a translation of the Greek word enduo, a common term that was used in New Testament times to denote the act of putting on a garment or a piece of clothing. Although clothing styles have changed innumerable times over the millennia, the process of putting on your garments has always been the same. If you’re going to dress properly for the day, you have to make the choice to look into the closet and select the clothes you wish to wear. Then you have to deliberately take that outfit off the hanger and slip it onto your body. Your clothes won’t jump out of the closet and onto your body without your help. If you are going to wear them, you have to put them on!

In the same way, Paul says we are to “put on love.” This word for “love” is the Greek word agape — a complex term that I call high-level love because there is no higher, finer, or more excellent love than agape love. As we have studied before, this kind of love occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, and appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. Such great respect is awakened in the heart of the observer for the object or person he is beholding that he is compelled to love. In fact, his love for that person or object is so strong that it is irresistible. If necessary, agape love will even sacrifice itself for the sake of that object or person it so deeply cherishes. Thus, agape is the highest form of love — a self-sacrificial type of love that moves one to action.

In First John 3:16, we are urged to possess agape for each other. It says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This plainly means that we are to love and appreciate each other just as fully and freely as God loves us.

The Father loved us to the point of self-sacrifice. In the same way, we are to agape our brothers and sisters to such a great extent that we would be willing to lay down our lives for them or forgive them for wrongs we perceive they have committed against us. We are to love others with no strings attached.

You may ask, “But how can I possess such love? Is it really possible for me to exhibit that kind of love for other people, including those who have offended or hurt me?”

Because the seed of God’s Word has been sown into your own human spirit, this divine love is within you all the time. If you will let the Spirit of God release it from your heart, you will begin to experience this fruit of the Spirit called agape as it swells up from deep within. And as you allow God’s love to flow out of your life to others, it will transform your character to become more like Jesus Christ.

But this kind of love is something you have to “put on” if you’re going to experience it. This love is always inside you — but it’s like clothing hanging in the closet. The clothes are yours, but you’ve got to walk to the closet, open the door, take the clothes off the hanger, slip your arms through the sleeves, and then begin to push the buttons through the buttonholes. You never get dressed by accident. It’s always a result of your decision and action.

Likewise, God has placed this amazing love deep inside you — in your “heart-closet,” so to speak. But you are the only one with the power to open the doors to that place where it is kept, take it off the hanger, and start putting it on. Furthermore, when you are tempted to take that love off and put it back in the closet out of anger or disappointment, remember that you alone can decide to adorn yourself in this agape love of God. So open your heart, reach inside, pull it out, and be determined to get dressed in the agape love of God. In fact, God commands it!

So refuse to let anger, frustration, and intolerance rule you — and take this command of God very seriously. Slip on the garment of agape love, and keep it on! God is love; in fact, it’s the very essence of who He is. And just as Jesus is the perfect reflection of the Father’s love (see John 15:9), so are you called to be a reflection of Jesus’ love. First John 4:17 declares, “…As he is, so are we in this world”!

Now that you know this type of divine love is inside you, you can deliberately and on purpose open the doors to your “heart-closet” to take it out and put it on! This will enable you to walk in love, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Don’t you agree that it’s time for you to get dressed in the love of God today?

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Lord, I thank You for the love of God that has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to me. Releasing this love is a choice, and I repent for the times I’ve chosen to walk in anger, frustration, or intolerance instead of choosing to put on love as You’ve instructed me to do. I thank You for Your great love for me. Jesus said I will prove to be His disciple when I release His love toward others. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of a free will. I honor You with it by choosing to put on agape love. I will give no place to the devil by keeping myself clothed in the love of God.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that the incorruptible seed of God’s Word is sown into my spirit. Therefore, God’s agape love is planted within me. I deliberately choose to put on that love as a garment. Clothed in the love of God, I walk into each situation covered with the God-kind of love that never fails, fades out, or comes to an end. In every situation I face, I am equipped to love others as God has loved me – purely from the heart, with no strings attached!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you had moments when you decided that you were going to walk in love instead of offense or anger? Isn’t it a victorious moment when you make the right choice? What is stopping you from making that choice today?
  2. Have you ever “half-walked” in love — as if you got your arm into one of your shirtsleeves, but then something happened that caused you to jerk your arm out of it and say something disparaging to someone else? What did you do to recover from that and to repair the hurt you may have caused?
  3. Are there individuals with whom you need to be careful that you don’t get out of love? Who are they? Have you put them on a prayer list and determined to make praying for these people a part of your daily prayer time?

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together….
— Hebrews 10:25

In today’s Sparkling Gem, I want to share some history with you about where believers met to worship when the law forbade them to do so. I think you will find this little history lesson to be very interesting!

Hebrews 10:25 commands believers to meet together regularly. However, during New Testament times, Roman law expressly forbade believers from congregating. Although there were periods of reprieve in different regions of the empire in the early centuries of the Church, it was generally illegal for Christians to come together anywhere in the Roman Empire — including the privacy of their own homes. Those who were caught doing so often faced severe reprisal.

These restrictions put believers in a difficult position. Although Scripture instructed them to obey, honor, and pray for the authorities of the land (see Romans 13:1,2), their government wouldn’t permit them to obey God’s commands. As the new laws took effect, Christians found themselves being forced to choose between obeying the law of God or following the law of man — just as Peter and John had to decide whom they would obey when the Sanhedrin commanded them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4:19). When Roman or local laws were in line with God’s law, early Christians diligently obeyed them. But if a law conflicted with the principles clearly outlined in God’s Word, most believers chose to obey God over the government’s mandates. This choice was not without consequence, however, because it gave rise to accusations that Christians were insubordinate lawbreakers.

As a result of Roman authorities passing laws that forbade gatherings that were not sanctioned by the government, it quickly became difficult for believers to find safe locations where they could worship together in peace. Early Christians had to be creative in the ways they met and in the way they communicated where their meetings would be held. One method they used to communicate with each other was secret imagery that pagans didn’t understand.

Soldiers and political officials might have thought this symbol was a mere street game, but in reality, it was a secret code designed to help believers connect with each other and coordinate meetings. For instance, if it was scribbled next to a shop, it might have conveyed that the shop owner was a Christian. If it was drawn next to a home, it might have indicated that a Christian gathering was secretly being held there. Wherever this symbol was inscribed, it sent the message that believers were nearby.

Because of the law forbidding unauthorized gatherings — which included members of this upstart Christian sect — Hebrews 10:25 put believers in direct opposition to the law. Consequently, they were often driven to assemble in secret meetings, which they frequently disguised to look like something else. Using emblems like the circular icythus symbol, believers were able to covertly communicate where they lived or worked with each other. And by regularly changing the place and time of their meetings, they made it difficult for authorities to catch them.

Congregations rarely met at the same place for long, choosing instead to constantly move to new secret locations in order to avoid detection. Church meetings in the First Century were mostly conducted in private residences, and just like today, the homes of believers could come in all sizes. Some places were quite modest, whereas others were large enough to accommodate a small congregation. In Acts 20:7-12, we read of a boy who fell from a window of a third-floor apartment where Paul was preaching to a local congregation. This reveals that even apartment buildings could be used for church use if the circumstances were right.

As the years passed and forces continued to mount against Christians, they were often forced to become even more covert about the locations of their meetings. For example, in the mid-Second Century at the trial of Christian leader Justin Martyr, he admitted to the Roman magistrate that he had been conducting meetings in a room located above a bathhouse in Rome.

Since Roman bathhouses were notorious cesspools of sinful activities, it might seem highly unusual that a respected church leader like Justin Martyr would choose to meet with other Christians there for purposes of teaching or corporate worship. However, the strategic potential of such a meeting place should be considered. This may have been an ideal covert location for Christian gatherings simply because it was such an unlikely possibility.

Another place where believers met in secret was in suburban cemeteries on the outskirts of the cities. These were considered ideal meeting places because they were largely hidden from the eyes of hostile governmental authorities.

By the Second Century — and some scholars believe there is evidence for as early as the late First Century — believers began to use underground catacombs for the burial of their dead. Although there were few rich Christians in the earliest years of the Church, later some wealthy Christian landowners granted permission for underground tombs to be built on their land. Some of the larger rooms in these underground chambers became another means used by early believers to assemble together in secret.

Especially during periods of fierce persecution in the Second and Third Centuries, these underground catacombs sometimes provided an effective “cover” for Christian meetings because they gave the impression that these believers were merely a group of people gathered for a funeral ceremony. In fact, at times actual funerals became legal opportunities for Christians to gather.

Roman soldiers were superstitious about the dead and were afraid to enter the catacombs, so some of the larger chambers in these underground systems became ideal locations for believers to meet on occasion without fear of authorities watching what they were doing. Deep beneath the earth, those burial quarters would be transformed into places for worship, testimony, and the teaching of God’s Word — a place where believers could strengthen each other’s faith before reemerging into the sunlight. But even these Christian burial grounds came to be officially forbidden to believers.

So we see that because of the hostile forces arrayed against the Church during the first three centuries of its existence, it was a matter of survival for early believers to find concealed places where they could meet to worship, hear God’s Word, and fellowship with one another. It’s not so different than the way the Church operates today in countries where governments are hostile to the Gospel.

We should never take for granted how fortunate we are to be able to attend church without the threat of death or imprisonment. This privilege has cost and continues to cost others highly. Let’s pray for God to give us a renewed love for the local church — and a firm decision that if we have to choose between obeying man’s laws or God’s laws, we will always choose to obey God rather than man!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father God, I realize that it is better to obey You than man. I didn’t realize the pressure that early Christians faced just to meet together. Because we have so much freedom, I often forget that there are Christians around the world today who are persecuted simply for attending church. As we face the days ahead of us — when laws passed by high courts may conflict with the law of God — give us the courage to stick by Your law and do what You say. This will take great strength of will, so I ask You, Holy Spirit, to give me the inward fortitude to do what is right, regardless of what the world around me says.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am committed to carrying out the instructions outlined in the Word of God. The thinking of the world and society may change, but God’s Word is unchanging — and I will stick by the Word of God, regardless of the way the world around me tries to dictate my actions or influence my beliefs. I am filled with courage; I am overflowing with confidence; and I have the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord is my strength and my personal bravery. The Word of God is a high tower of strength to me. Regardless of what man says or the price it will cost to obey, I will do what God’s Word commands.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you think of or pray for Christians in other parts of the world who are presently suffering for their faith? Have you ever thought about what it costs them simply to attend a church service?
  2. Our freedom is so abundant, and we have lived in freedom for so long that it’s hard for us to imagine losing But if the government suddenly put restrictions on your practice of faith, how would you respond? Would you obey the courts, or would you obey the Word of God?
  3. I live in Russia where there was a time when believers had to meet covertly. If you had to meet covertly to worship with other Christians, would you do it, or would you fall out of fellowship to avoid persecution?

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
— Acts 19:17

In the past few Sparkling Gems, we’ve seen how the pagan population of the city of Ephesus was very preoccupied with the magical power of secret names, spells, and incantations. It was very significant to the citizens of the city that the demon possessing the demoniac, who was apparently well known in Ephesus, knew the name of Jesus. No one else had ever been able to help this demon-possessed man. But the evil spirit that had taken control of this tormented individual actually spoke and admitted to knowing the name of Jesus. This would have signaled to the pagan population that the name of Jesus contained great power. And the fact that the demon even acknowledged Paul would have also given the apostle a higher level of authority in the eyes of the people.

As a result of this event, a new preeminence was immediately given to the name of Jesus in Ephesus, and Paul’s influence increased. Acts 19:17 describes the impact this incident had on those who heard about it: “And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”

The Bible doesn’t specify how the news of this event quickly reached both the Jewish and Greek communities in Ephesus, but we know that it did. Perhaps there were eyewitnesses of the event who told others about it. Or perhaps those who had hired the seven sons of Sceva reported this event to friends, who then spread the news to others. Maybe there were firsthand witnesses of the incident who heard the screams of the exorcists and saw them running naked from the house.

Regardless of how the news was spread, it made a significant impression on both Jews and Greeks. Both groups were impressed that the name of Jesus was known by the evil spirit that inhabited this man. As a result, this verse states that “…fear fell on them all…”

The Greek word for “fear” is phobos, which in this case describes a reverential fear, hush, or amazement that literally fell on the residents of the city. It brought a speechless sense of awe to the entire community — and a heightened awareness of the name of Jesus. This is why the verse goes on to say, “…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (v. 17).

It must be noted that Luke referred here to the “Lord Jesus,” not just to “Jesus.” The word “Lord” is the Greek word kurios, meaning lord or supreme master. This violent episode between the demon and the seven sons of Sceva had demonstrated that Jesus alone has the power and might to demand respect of evil spiritual forces. By calling him “Lord Jesus” in this context, Luke revealed to us that Jesus came out of the ordeal as the Champion. As a result, His name was “magnified” — enlarged, expanded, and maximized — throughout the city.

Thus, the failed attempt of the seven exorcists was an event used by God to bring attention to the name of Jesus and to escalate the pace of the work for His Kingdom in Ephesus. Large numbers of conversions took place as people turned from their occult deeds with genuine acts of repentance.

There is no question that the power of God was being unleashed in the heart of this dark pagan city and that its foundation, which had been established on the bedrock of idolatry, was being shaken to its very core. Life in Ephesus was being eternally impacted by the power of the Gospel, and many who lived in the region would never be the same again.

This is what happens when the power of God is in manifestation! It shakes people to their core and they know without any doubt that they have come into contact with the highest level of supernatural power.

Doesn’t this make you want to see the power of God manifest in your city, in your church, or in your ministry? Nothing brings glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ more than His divine power being unleashed through faith in full operation!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I want to see Your divine power unleashed in my city, in my church, and in our ministry. Nothing brings glory to the name of the Lord Jesus like a miracle or a supernaturally heaven-sent manifestation of divine power. Forgive me for restraining the manifestations of the Holy Spirit when He has longed to demonstrate the power of God. I am sorry and so wrong for fearing what people will think — when in fact, this is the very thing that will make the greatest impression on people. I ask You to help me from this moment forward to surrender to the great working of Your power and that this type of manifestation will cause the name of the Lord Jesus to be magnified!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I admit that the fear of man — and what other people think — has caused me to hinder the power of God from operating as God wants it to operate in our city, in our church, and in our ministry. However, from this moment forward, I confess that I am throwing open my arms to receive the supernatural assistance that heaven wants to give in terms of signs and wonders. Such signs and wonders were sent to draw people to Jesus, not deter people from Jesus — so I am going to stop wondering what people think and I’m going to become an instrument for the power of God to bring signs and wonders into manifestation!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have there been times when God wanted to move supernaturally, and you hindered it or stopped it because you were afraid of what people would think?
  2. From what we’ve studied in today’s Sparkling Gem, do you see that such power magnifies the name of Jesus and brings people closer to the Kingdom of God? Do you understand that your fear of people’s reactions has been altogether inaccurate?
  3. The next time you sense the leading of the Holy Spirit to operate in the gifts of the Spirit or to unleash the power of God, what are you going to do? It’s going to take a firm decision, one that you’ll stand by, so what is your truthful answer?

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
— Acts 19:16

As we continue looking at Acts 19, we find the evil spirit in this man was inflamed by the seven exorcists’ feeble and ineffective attempts to cast it out. The evil spirit unexpectedly seized the full use of the possessed man’s body to physically attack and injure them. Acts 19:16 tells us, “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them…” Those exorcists had encroached on demonic territory that they didn’t know how to handle! Let’s look at those words leaped, overcame, and prevailed, because they tell a huge part of this story.

When the text says the man “leaped” on them, it is the Greek word ephallomai, which means to leap upon, to jump upon, or to pounce upon, as a panther leaps on a weak and defenseless animal. This word carries the idea of abruptly taking a victim by surprise, which means these exorcists were completely taken off guard by this attack. Not only did the demon-possessed man leap on them, but the verse also says that he “…overcame them, and prevailed against them.”

The word “overcame” is a translation of the word katakurieuo, a compound of the words kata and kurios. The word kata carries the idea of a force that is dominating or subjugating, and the word kurios is the Greek word for a lord or master. When compounded into one word, the new word means to completely conquer, to master, to quash, to crush, to subdue, to defeat, to force into a humiliating submission, or to bring one to his knees in surrender.

The word katakurieuo leaves no room for misunderstanding — this was a humiliating defeat for these seven exorcists. Their defeat was so complete that the verse goes on to say that the evil spirit “prevailed against them.” The word “prevail” is a translation of the Greek word ischuos, which describes a mighty individual, such as a man with such muscular strength or physical power that he could defeat any opponent.

It is indisputably clear that evil spirits have the ability to supernaturally energize those in whom they dwell. When they do, the demonized individuals may exhibit inexplicable physical strength. One of the best examples of this is found in Mark 5:3,4. Here we read again about the demoniac of Gadara, who was so supernaturally energized that no one could bind him, not even with fetters and chains. If people were successful enough to attach the fetters and chains around this man, he was so empowered by demons that he could tear those heavy iron chains to pieces and get free almost without effort. Absolutely no one could tame him or bring him under control — except Jesus.

The demons that inhabited this man who lived among the tombs in the Gadarenes were violent beyond any human’s ability to control. It must be noted that ancient Greek literature used the word daimonian — the word “demon” — to portray a person who is mad or insane. But this is not only the classical Greek view. The New Testament also shows that those who were possessed with evil spirits were mad and often afflicted with physical illnesses. This is why Matthew 4:24 says, “…they brought unto him [Jesus] all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

Please get the revelation of this, because it is crucial. Jesus had absolute authority over evil spirits when He walked this earth. Then He gave the authority to cast out demons in His name to all those who trust in Him (see Mark 16:17). This was the secret of Paul’s success. But these seven sons of Sceva were not believers; they were simply exorcists trying a new formula. And they soon discovered what happens to those who try to wield spiritual authority they don’t possess. Those men were no match for the demons that indwelt the demoniac at Ephesus!

As the seven exorcists commanded the evil spirit to leave the man, suddenly the evil spirit seized the man’s body and demonically energized it, and the man surged forward like a fierce wild animal and pounced upon them. After being severely beaten and battered, all seven of those men fled the scene in fear. Verse 16 says, “…They fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

The word “fled” in Greek is ekpheugo. This word is a compound of the word ek — meaning out, as to exit or leave a place — and the word pheugo, which means to flee or to run swiftly. When these two words are compounded, the new word conveys the idea that those seven sons of Sceva got out of the house as quickly as they possibly could, making a mad dash or a fast exit. And no wonder they wanted to get out so quickly — they had been injured and had even lost their clothes in the attack!

The verse says the seven men fled out of “that house,” referring to the house where the demoniac was kept. The wording of this phrase implies that this was a well-known house. It wasn’t just a house; it was the house where this savage man lived. It was the place everyone avoided and stayed far from, for too much fear was associated with it and with the violent activities that took place there. And at that moment, it was the exorcists themselves who were escaping from “that house” in great haste!

When the men ran out of the house, Acts 19:16 says they were “naked and wounded.” The word “naked” is gumnos, an often-used Greek word that simply means physically naked. The word “wounded” is traumatidzo, which means to cause injury or harm and is where we get the words trauma and traumatized.

We don’t know the exact details of this demonic attack, how long it lasted, or how badly these seven sons of Sceva suffered. We do know, however, that by the time they exited the house, they were naked, physically wounded, and traumatized.

When people heard that these particular exorcists had miserably failed to exorcise the demon, it was big news in Ephesus. Everyone heard how the evil spirit acknowledged the name and authority of Jesus and even knew the name of Paul, Christ’s servant — yet did not recognize these famous professional exorcists. So even in this worst-case demonic scenario, God’s purposes prevailed as it was noised abroad that only the name of Jesus had been recognized and respected by the demon world, bringing attention to that name all over the city of Ephesus and throughout the surrounding region (see Acts 19:17).

I assure you that the kingdom of darkness knows your name as well. As a child of God, you have the legitimate authority to wield the name of Jesus like a weapon in your hand against everything the enemy might try to throw at you. And when you exercise that authority in faith, every demon that has been sent to harass you will flee in terror! Hell knows you and trembles when you stand in the power of the name of Jesus!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, what an awesome thing to realize that the demons not only recognize Jesus’ authority — they also recognize the authority of those who know Jesus. Of course, Jesus stripped Satan of all his powers (Colossians 2:15) and it should be no surprise to me that he is terrified of Jesus’ name and those who had been authorized to use it. But I am especially thankful to You for bringing me out of the bondage of darkness, for translating me into the kingdom of Your dear Son, and for giving me authority in the name of Jesus Christ!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


Demons may have authority over unsaved people, but I boldly confess they do not have authority over me and others who are in Christ Jesus. I never have to fear a demonic attack like the seven sons of Sceva experienced because the devil is the one who is running from me when I use the Spirit-empowered name of Jesus! I refuse to shrink in fear, and I refuse to let the devil intimidate me, because I have the presence of the Greater One living inside me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. In your lifetime, have you ever heard of anyone who came under a demonic attack similar to the one we read about in Acts 19:16 today?
  2. I once had a demon-inflicted man pick up a table and try to throw it at me, but he strictly obeyed me and put it down when I authoritatively spoke to him in the name of Jesus. Have you had any experiences where demons have quickly obeyed when you used Jesus’ name?
  3. What faith-building stories can you recall of believers exercising authority over demon spirits?