Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
— 2 Timothy 4:8

At the time that the apostle Paul wrote Second Timothy, he was imprisoned in Rome, awaiting the moment of his own execution, which would be death by decapitation. However, when we read his final words in Second Timothy 4:8, we discover that Paul wasn’t focused on his own death, which would indeed be gruesome. He looked beyond that event to that glorious moment when Jesus would personally step forward to give him a “crown of righteousness” as a reward for his faithful service.

Today I want us to look at this word “crown.” The New Testament mentions five different types of crowns that will be given to Christians as rewards for the various ways they ran their race of faith. But before we look at all five different types of crowns, first let’s look at the word “crown” to see exactly what kind of crown the New Testament is talking about. In each instance where it is mentioned, it is the same Greek word. The Greek word for a “crown” in these verses is not the word for a royal diadem, as a king would wear. Rather, it is the Greek word stephanos, which describes the crown given to athletes — most notably, runners — after they had run their race or finished their contest victoriously. It was generally referred to as a victor’s crown.

 

At the conclusion of a contest or race, a winner was declared, and a “crown” was placed on the champion’s brow that was made of pine or olive branches and leaves. Although the crown wasn’t made of expensive material, it was highly valued as a public recognition of the skill, commitment, discipline, endurance, self-control, self-mastery, and training that had enabled the athlete to win the competition. Being awarded the victor’s crown brought a person great acclaim, honor, and respect in the eyes of an adoring public. Therefore, it was every athlete’s chief aim to obtain this crown.

For Christians who ran their race of faith, wholly giving themselves to pursuing God’s plan for their lives, there could be no greater reward than Jesus Christ Himself personally placing this victor’s crown on their brow. This is in fact the promise that Christ makes to Christians who have endured to the end and victoriously finished their race of faith. A day is coming when Jesus will step forward, dressed in the regal splendor of the exalted King of kings, and He will place a victor’s crown upon the heads of those who had steadfastly run their race to the very end. The Savior Himself will personally place this priceless reward upon the brows of the faithful.

As noted previously, there are five different types of crowns mentioned in the New Testament. Each of these crowns is a specific and distinct reward for Christians who have faithfully fulfilled God’s call on their lives.

1. First Corinthians 9:25 refers to a crown of incorruption. Paul described this as a special crown given to believers who practiced physical self-governance and therefore ran a successful race in Those who practiced self-discipline and refused to let the flesh hinder their race of faith can look forward to receiving this precious reward.
2. First Thessalonians 2:19 refers to the crown of rejoicing. Theologians often refer to this as the soul-winner’s crown, as it is a crown given to those who brought others to Jesus. Oh, think of the joy those who have brought others to Christ will experience when they receive a crown of rejoicing or a soul-winner’s crown.
3. Second Timothy 4:8 refers to the crown of  righteousness. This crown is specially designated for those who longed for Jesus’ appearing and lived holy lives in anticipation of His return. This is the crown that Paul referred to when he wrote about his own death and the crown that Jesus would give to him.
4. First Peter 5:4 refers to the crown of glory. This is often called the pastor’s crown because it is a special reward that will be given to shepherds who faithfully pastored and taught God’s people. You would do well to read First Peter 5:4 and to personally see this special crown that will be given to faithful pastors.
5. James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10 refer to the crown of life. This crown is often referred to as the martyr’s crown because it is given to those who suffered for their faith, those who died for Christ, or those who were committed to finishing their race of faith regardless of the difficulties they encountered in this life.

Athletes who prepared, trained, and won their competitions were highly regarded. Likewise, Christ will give special honor to those who victoriously ran their race of faith to its conclusion. On that day in our future, Jesus Christ will stand, step forward to us as we bow before Him, and place one of these respective crowns on our brows if He has found us faithful to the task that was assigned to us.

There are believers who are still in that fight right now, and their struggle has been great. Paul was still in his race when he wrote Second Timothy 4:8. But rather than focus on his imminent execution by decapitation, Paul chose instead to focus on the crown of righteousness that the Lord would soon be placing upon his brow.

Similarly, if you are running in a fierce race of faith that is requiring every ounce of your spiritual, mental, and physical strength, I encourage you to lift your eyes to Heaven and see Jesus with your crown in His hands. One day your race will be finished, and if you made it all the way to the end, He’ll place that crown on your head — a victor’s crown for one who finished his race of faith!

To be honest, sometimes I am tempted to yield to weariness or to wonder if the fight has been worth it. Other times I know I’m looking at difficult times on the road directly before me. In these vulnerable moments, I often lift the eyes of my faith and focus on the moment when the King of kings will place a victor’s crown on my own head because He found me faithful. Thinking of that makes me want to stay in the race and finish it all the way to the end! How about you?

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, Your Word clearly teaches that when we see Jesus in Heaven, He will have a special “reward” in His hand — a victor’s crown — to place upon our heads. But more important to me than receiving a crown is that I please You. To receive a crown from You will be a blessing, as it is Your recognition of what I have done, and it will be a treasure that I can lay at Jesus’ feet on that day. But the greatest reward for me will be knowing I have run a race that brought You pleasure!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that I will run my race of faith all the way to its final conclusion. There will be no dropping out of the race halfway along the God-ordained course of my life. I’m in this to finish it and to bring glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful that because I will be faithful to the end, on the day I see Jesus, He will give me a victor’s crown. But most of all, I want to see the satisfaction in His eyes that I’ve run a race of faith that has brought glory to His name. His glory is my highest goal and the reason I am running in this race of faith!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you envision running your race of faith in a way that will take you all the way to the finish line? Are you giving it all the spiritual, physical, and mental strength you can muster to run that race like a champion?
2. By looking at the five different types of crowns that Christ will give to faithful champions, which crown do you think you will receive when you see Jesus face to face? Which crown would you like to receive? What decisions are you making to ensure that you do receive it?
3. When you think of seeing Jesus face to face, what thoughts immediately come to your mind? Is this an event that brings joy to your heart and mind, or does it cause you to be fearful? What reasons are behind your reaction to this very important question?

…If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
— Matthew 18:19

When our family moved to Moscow in September 2000, we were new to the city and didn’t have close friendships with other local pastors simply because we didn’t know them yet. As often happens when a new church starts, some people from other churches began to visit our church, and the other pastors didn’t appreciate that fact. They were concerned that their people would relocate to our church. This didn’t actually happen as much as the pastors predicted, but I fully understood their concern. On one hand, they were glad we moved to Moscow. But on the other hand, they weren’t too happy about the concerns it raised for them.

Yet as time passed, it became necessary for those of us who pastor in Moscow to work together on various issues that concerned us all. As we got to know each other better, fears and suspicions melted away, and an amazing thing occurred — we started to value each other’s gifts and strengths and genuinely care for one another as friends! Soon key church leaders in the city began to reach out to Denise and me and warmly receive us.

When our ministry decided to purchase and renovate a new church facility in Moscow, these local ministers encouraged us with one accord to take that huge step of faith, which has since proven to be a successful venture in God’s plan for our ministry. Years before when we first arrived in Moscow, some of these very ministers had opposed our coming to start a new church. Today we’re all linked together in a vital way that has benefited everyone involved. We’re not just “brothers and sisters in the Lord” — we are friends.

In Matthew 18:19, Jesus taught about the enormous power that exists when believers get in agreement with each other. He said, “…If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

The Greek word for “agree” in this verse is sumphoneo. It means to agree together, to make a bargain, or to come to an agreement. It is the Greek word from which the word “symphony” is derived. A symphony orchestra combines many diverse instruments under the direction of a skilled conductor to produce a beautiful, musical masterpiece, and its impact extends far beyond what any one instrument could achieve on its own. This imagery paints a perfect analogy for the Christian community as God intended it to be.

My own ministry has been powerfully enriched because I am a part of a “symphony orchestra” of ministers in the city of Moscow. The unified front of this group has made an impact that could never have been as great if each of us had tried to accomplish the same goals individually. Over the years, we have spoken to each other in ways that have positively changed our attitudes, doctrines, and practices. Do we always agree on finer points of doctrine? No! But we’re the family of God, and we act like it. After all, we don’t always agree with our natural family members either — but we’re all still family, tied together by blood and birth. The same thing is true in the family of God. We were all purchased by the blood of Jesus and born of God’s Spirit. As Paul said: “There is one body, and one Spirit…one God and Father of all…. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:4-7).

I feel privileged to have experienced the power of agreement when church leaders reach out to each other in esteem and respect for each other’s gifts and callings. And I can tell you this — I wouldn’t want to work in God’s Kingdom any other way. Unity among the brethren reflects the heart of the Father, and He says that where unity prevails, the anointing of His presence saturates and commands His blessing to manifest in their midst (see Psalm 133)!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am so grateful that unity reflects Your heart and causes the anointing of Your presence to saturate us and manifest Your blessing in our midst. Enormous power exists when believers get in agreement with You and with each other. Holy Spirit, I ask You to teach me and the body of believers You have planted me in how to operate just like a symphony orchestra. I ask this also for the Body of Christ at large. As many instruments combined with a wide array of sounds, help us yield to Your direction as a skilled Conductor so that all those sounds blend together into a beautiful musical masterpiece. Help us symphonize in faith and unity more and more so we may have greater power in prayer and action and make a phenomenal impact on the listeners that extends far beyond what any one instrument could achieve on its own.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I contribute to the unity the Father desires the Body of Christ to operate in. I refuse to adopt an adversarial role when He has called me to do everything I can to achieve unity. We have more that unites us than divides us, so I choose to focus on the things that bring us together instead of the things that drive us apart. I thank You for the support I’ve found from other believers and ministers, and I ask You to help me be a support to others who are stepping out in faith to do what You have asked them to do.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time when the Body of Christ really got behind you and supported an idea that God birthed in your heart? What did their support mean to you?
2. On the other hand, can you think of a time when it seemed no one would get in agreement with what God had revealed to you? Did that make it difficult to forge ahead?
3. Were there also times when you could have been more supportive of others than you were? What do you think of that now? Have you repented for being unsupportive when your encouragement could have made all the difference in the world for those who were stepping forward in faith?

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

I’ve dedicated numerous Sparkling Gems to Second Timothy 3 in this second volume (see May 10-18). The reason for this is that I am convinced we are entering the last of the last days and that the days ahead will be the most challenging period the Church has ever faced. In this verse, Paul prophesied, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times will come.” This word “perilous” is the Greek word chalepos, which means dangerous or difficult. It is translated in Matthew 8:28 as “exceedingly fierce.” So when Paul prophesied by the Spirit that the last days would be “perilous,” he was saying that the end times would be dangerous, difficult, and exceedingly fierce.

This truth was reinforced in me several years ago as I traveled by airplane across the Atlantic Ocean. As I looked out the window of the plane, I saw a vision unfold before me. It was as if someone suddenly pulled a cord to draw back a curtain separating the natural realm from the spiritual realm, and an entirely different picture came into clear view. Before me, I saw what appeared to be ominous, swirling black clouds spreading rapidly across the landscape of the world. I understood that I was seeing demonic forces that are currently attempting to spread and exert their influence.

I immediately turned to Denise and said, “The spirit realm just opened up before me, and I witnessed a vast buildup of demonic activity occurring over the nations of the world. It is an attempt to wage war for the control of the nations just before the Second Coming of Jesus.”

This supernatural vision made a great impression on me as I considered the seriousness of this hour, and it alerted me to step it up in my God-given role as a leader in His Church and call the Body of Christ to action. This is a time when we in the Christian community should not only pray more — we should also work together closely to see God’s purposes brought forth on the earth.

In these last days, everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Since judgment begins at the house of God, we must first be certain our own lives are lived worthily so that, having preached to others, we ourselves don’t become castaways. We then have the divine duty to lead others in taking a righteous stand, actively engaging the forces of darkness, and claiming the nations in Jesus’ name.

If you are in a leadership role in your church, I encourage you to work on implementing the following steps both in your personal life and in your church to a greater degree than ever before. These steps will strengthen your spirit and prepare others to stand firm against the enemy’s strategies in the days ahead.

1. Increase your prayer in your church, ministry, and personal life. If you’re too busy to pray, you are too busy.
2. Be open to establishing increased order and accountability in your church or ministry. Christians are usually in one ditch or the other, creating either a dogmatic order that steals their liberty in Christ or an overly relaxed tolerance that unleashes lawlessness and
3. Besides encouraging fellowship with believers from other parts of the Body, find new avenues to work together with other Christians to accomplish the business of God’s
4. Walk in faith, regardless of the circumstances!

As for the clouds I saw in the spirit, they were very dark and perilous. But I want to exhort you not to allow fear to grip your heart as you witness what is happening in the world around you. We have been called by a mighty and all-powerful God, and together we are exceedingly able to meet every challenge!

Long ago the prophet Isaiah declared what the role of God’s people would be when darkness blanketed this world system in the last days: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV).

Our role is clear: We must stand together to drive back the darkness with the light of the Gospel so Jesus can be exalted and the transforming power of God can be displayed to this generation as never before. It’s our honor to have a part in bringing in this end-time harvest of souls. But to fulfill our respective roles in this divine plan, we must refuse to slow down or weaken our stance of faith until the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of God’s glory (see Habakkuk 2:14)!

 

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I make a fresh commitment to start each day by lifting my voice to You. Each morning, Lord, I will rise and present my life to You, waiting expectantly for what You will speak to my heart. I ask Your forgiveness for all the times I foolishly launched into my day without having read your Word, sought Your face, or consulted the Holy Spirit whom You sent to be my Counselor, Helper, and Guide. Father, how arrogant and misguided of me to believe I could walk effectively in wisdom and truth without having submitted myself to You first. Only through rich fellowship with You can I produce fruit that remains. Forgive me for mistaking busyness for fruitfulness. I abide in You and let Your words abide in me. I treasure the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me order my day and to keep it set around giving my time with the Father first place from this day forward.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I do not neglect my time in a “solitary place” with God. I deliberately designate an off-limits time and place where I can have deep, meaningful, and uninterrupted fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus arose a great while before day to meet with the Father and then emerged from His solitary times renewed in power, I come forth from my daily times refreshed, reinvigorated, filled with new ideas, and empowered for my day. These moments of solitude with the Father keep my heart sensitive and yielded to Him while equipping me to possess my daily victory in the power of His might!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you have a “solitary place” where you meet with God every day? What time of the day do you set aside for this special moment? Is it in the morning, at lunch, or in the evenings before you go to bed?
2. It may be hard for you to rise early, but I strongly suggest that you develop a discipline of rising early before your day gets started so that you can be touched, refreshed, and empowered for whatever you will face each day. What earlier time could you start getting up to spend this time in prayer?
3. Do you feel that you actually know how to fellowship with the Lord in prayer? If not, don’t be embarrassed. Get an online Bible-reading plan and start there, fellowshipping with the Lord as you read His Word. As the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart about certain verses, stop and reflect on them. Let His words sink deep into your heart. That is an excellent starting point!

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
— Revelation 2:2,3

Whether we want to admit it or not, it is simply the truth that every one of us as believers must make a firm commitment to retain our fire and passion for the Lord. Busy schedules, work, problems, and challenges in life have a way of wearing us down and dimming the flame that burns in our hearts for Jesus. There’s only one way we can make sure this doesn’t happen in our own lives: We must stay firmly committed to do whatever it takes to retain our fire, no matter the cost.

This was the core of Jesus’ message to the church of Ephesus when He appeared in a vision to the apostle John (see Revelation 2:2-7). The Ephesian believers were full of good works and were widely respected for their soundness in doctrine — and Jesus commended them for it.

In Revelation 2:2 and 3, Jesus said, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

But after praising the church of Ephesus for its stellar performance, its faithful adherence to truth, and its excellence in doctrine, Christ went on to say in verse 4, “Nevertheless…” The word “nevertheless” served as a warning signal to the Ephesian congregation, letting them know that something else mattered to Jesus even more than all their good works. Then He continued, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee…” The word “against” is the word kata, which in this case means, “I have one thing against you — a downward strike, a negative point, or a mark against you.” Essentially, it describes something that was obviously not in the Ephesian believers’ favor.

The believers of the Ephesian church had fallen into the trap of busyness in ministry at the expense of fervency in fellowship with the Lord, and Jesus rebuked them for it. And His message is no less relevant and urgent for us today than it was when He first delivered those words to the apostle John for the church at Ephesus on the island of Patmos almost 2,000 years ago.

Productivity for God must never take the place of passionate love for Him. Christ requires us to be both productive for Him and passionate about Him. Yet it is easy to become so consumed with the busyness of the ministry that we fail to stay focused on our passionate love for Christ.

I learned this during a period of several years that Denise and I maintained an extremely busy schedule, which eventually escalated to an unsustainable pace. There were times I could only vaguely recall what country I was in when I’d awaken during the night. I was trying to accomplish as much as I could for the Lord, but I was moving at a pace He never intended.

For so long, Denise and I had stayed continually busy doing good things with excellent results. Lives were changed, and the Kingdom of God was furthered. But my spiritual fervor had dimmed, and it became clear to me that God was calling me to come aside and get still before Him. So I recommitted myself to reviving the fire of God in my own heart.

Speaking from my own experience, I urge you to take a moment to evaluate yourself and ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you just going through the motions in your ministry?
• Have you come to a place where you substitute more activity for times of stillness in the presence of the Lord?
• When you do attempt to get quiet before God, is your body still while your mind continues to race with thoughts of all you want to do or need to accomplish?
• Do you remember with longing what it was like when you first fell in love with Jesus and were so thankful for your salvation?
• What were your habits and devotional life like when the flame of your passion for Jesus burned with the highest intensity?

These are the kinds of questions every one of us should ponder, allowing them to sift through the embers in our souls and stir us to rekindle the flame of our first love for Jesus. When we take the time to do whatever is necessary to revive and retain spiritual fervor and freshness in our relationship with the Lord, our hearts will find renewed satisfaction in our walk with Him and in the ministry He has called us to fulfill. But more importantly, the Lord will be satisfied with us, because He will find us to be men and women after His own heart. And when all is said and done, nothing else could please Him more.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I desire to retain the fire in my heart that I had when I first came to know You. Life has become busy, and I confess that somewhere along the way I allowed the busyness of it all to dim the fire in my heart. Although I’ve become more experienced and professional, I am less passionate than I used to be. I repent for this, and I confess that it is wrong. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me return to the place of my first love. I have lost sight of loving You more than anything else. For this I repent, and I ask You to forgive me. Purify my heart so that Your presence will ignite a flame in me until You are the highest priority and goal in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I refuse to allow my productivity for God to take precedence over my passionate love for Him. I will not offer diligence toward duty as a substitute for devotion toward Him as I approach my God-given assignment. I return to the place of my first love. I commit to pull away often from the busyness of life and ministry so I can be still in the presence of the Lord in order to maintain a vital connection with Him. I will not attempt to serve God without a fresh touch of His Spirit upon me. In the morning I will lift up my eyes, my heart, and my voice unto the Lord while I wait until His Word speaks to my heart in a fresh way for each new day. From that place of union with Him, I will stay focused on what really matters.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you spend time with the Lord as you once did, or do you find that setting aside time to be with Him is getting more and more difficult for you to do? What does this tell you about the temperature of your spiritual life?
2. If Christ evaluated you by the questions asked in today’s Sparkling Gem, how do you think He would answer the questions?
3. What changes do you need to make in your life to return to Christ as your first, passionate love?

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
— Romans 12:3 AMPC

When I was first getting started in the ministry, I was so excited and filled with confidence. In fact, I thought I could accomplish anything — and I naively thought I could do it all by myself without help from anyone else. I’ll never forget the time I tried very hard to impress an older gentleman who had been in the ministry for more than 50 years. I confidently told him about all the areas in which I excelled and all the things I was capable of doing. The older and much wiser leader listened attentively and then responded, “Son, I believe you can do great things. I’m just not convinced you can do small things, or that you’d be able to work with anyone else.”

Being young and inexperienced, I was initially shocked at this older minister’s answer. But decades later, I now savor the wisdom he spoke to me that day. Time and experience have taught me that God watches to see how we serve in the small things and how we work with others. The way we manage the small things in our lives proves whether or not we are worthy of being entrusted with greater responsibility. That means “small things” really aren’t so small at all! My experience has also shown me that nothing great is accomplished by a single person; it takes many hands to do a great job. Those who work alone rarely accomplish anything significant.

In Romans 12:3 (AMPC), Paul says, “For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.” I really like the Amplified translation of this verse. Paul used the Greek word huperphroneo, a compound of huper and phroneo. The word huper means over, above, or beyond, and the word phroneo means to think. Compounded, the new word carries the meaning as translated in the Amplified — to think of oneself more highly than he ought to think or to have an exaggerated opinion of one’s own importance.

In verses 4 and 5 (AMPC), Paul provided us with a balanced view of our different roles and showed us that we are each a vital part of a much greater whole. He wrote, “For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, so we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].”

We see from Romans 12:4 that Paul likened the Church to the human body. This analogy sounds simple, yet it is so profound! Hands are different than ears; a mouth is different than a nose; and so on. The different parts of the body are all unique, yet they’re all equally important and interdependent. The same is true for the Body of Christ. Even Christ — the Head of the Church — is dependent on His Body. We as believers worship and take directions from the Head, but ultimately the Head needs the Body to do what the Head tells it to do.

Let me give you an example from my own life. I’m a writer, and the gift in my life that will have the longest-lasting impact is teaching through writing. I believe that the words I write will long outlast me. An example is the book you hold in your hands. This book and the many other books I have authored will continue to minister to people long after I am in Heaven. However, these books don’t just supernaturally show up on the shelves of a bookstore one day. The book you are reading came to pass because I sat down at my computer one day and started typing. When it was time for me to write, the information came from my brain through billions of nerve cells in my spinal cord, activating the muscles in my arms and every bone in my hand. My fingers began to move on the computer keys, transferring thoughts to words in print as information flowed through my body at lightning speed.

This process happens so fast that we can’t conceive or comprehend it. You can’t see a single one of those nerves because they’re invisible to the eye. But if you ripped those nerves out of your body, nothing could be produced.

In addition to my work as the author, there are editors, researchers, and other talented people who help craft these books. Each book goes through multiple levels of editing, typesetting, proofreading, and design. Someone must send the manuscript to the printer and ensure that the printed books are delivered on time. Contacts are made with distributors, and then finally the books are delivered to bookstores, where someone unpacks them and displays them on bookshelves. Eventually they are sold by someone who works at a sales desk. My name appears on the cover because I undertook the monumental job of writing the book, but if I were the only one involved in the process, those words would be nothing more than a file on my computer. Yes, there are many necessary parts to the successful publishing of a book, and every part is important.

The same is true with our TV ministry. Denise and I are the faces seen on our television program and on the Internet all over the former USSR. However, there are also cameramen who stand behind cameras, editors who edit programs, and individuals who contact the TV stations and ensure the programs are delivered on time. It takes a dedicated team of people working interdependently toward a common goal to produce this TV program and see that it reaches the masses with the teaching of God’s Word.

My own part in writing books and recording TV programs is crucial, but it’s only a “part” of the total process. Nothing would happen if I didn’t do my part, but my part would be fruitless without the help of others fulfilling their own vital roles. Keeping this in mind helps me appreciate everyone else’s role as much as I value my own in an assignment. It also helps me remember that we are interdependent upon each other in the Body of Christ.

Consider all the “invisible” members in the Body of Christ who work for the Lord behind the scenes. I’m talking about those you never see on a platform, behind a pulpit, or over the airwaves on a television broadcast. Every part of the Body of Christ is vital and necessary. Oh, how we need to be thankful for the invisible people who play critical roles in the functioning of the Body of Christ! They are just as important as the more visible roles people play, and often, they are even more important!

Paul makes this truth abundantly clear in Romans 12:6 (AMPC ), where he wrote, “Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us…” Every person has been given a grace to employ in service to God and the Body of Christ. You may feel drawn to practical areas of service. Perhaps you’re called to teach others, or maybe you’re particularly gifted at encouraging people. Or maybe you’re especially motivated by compassion to rescue the lost and hurting.

Whatever gifts and graces God has given you, I highly encourage you to find your place in His house and serve. Don’t despise the “lowly” acts of service you may be called upon to fulfill along the way — they will qualify you for greater places of responsibility.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am amazed by Your design for the Body of Christ, with each of us interdependent upon the other. Alone we can do our small parts, but together we can accomplish a greater goal. I ask You to help me really see and understand this truth. I repent of the pride that has tried to creep in to make me despise small things or to hinder me from cooperating with others to fulfill my part in Your plan. I confess that these are areas where I need to grow. Father, You resist the proud, but You give grace to the humble. I ask You for Your grace to help me reach new levels in these areas so I can glorify You and be a true blessing to others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am well aware of my interdependence with others in the Body of Christ. You called us as a whole Body so that we may work properly and accomplish greater goals. I am not willing to be independent in the way I operate. By the grace of God working in me, I submit myself to God and resist the temptation to overestimate myself. I will appreciate those who are called alongside me to work, and I will humbly esteem their great value to God and also to me. The visible and less visible members are equally important, and as I walk with God, I am becoming ever more aware of my need to do my part, along with those who are called by God to do their own part.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What do you do independently that requires no one else’s participation but has a great impact on many people?
2. What do you do that requires the cooperation of others in order to reach masses or even to be effective at reaching small groups of people?
3. What gifts do you have that are effective and far-reaching all by yourself? The “small things” are qualifiers for larger assignments in the eyes of God. Have you learned to be faithful at doing small, almost unnoticeable assignments?

…the prince of the kings of the earth…
— Revelation 1:5

We live in an age when darkness is increasing all over the face of the earth. But as we face this looming threat, we need to remember that Jesus Christ is Lord over all. Nothing takes Him by surprise because He has known everything that has and will ever occur before He even created earth. The rulers of the darkness of this world may think they are in charge, but Revelation 1:5 declares that Jesus Christ is “the prince of the kings of the earth.” Therefore, He rules over all the affairs of mankind. We may not always see His hand or understand His movements, but Christ is in charge nonetheless.

This means that no matter what political party, president, or ruler holds power or what verdicts the courts mete out, Jesus Christ’s ultimate authority over the kings of the earth remains uncontested. Others may command an earthly sphere of influence for a limited time, but Christ’s rule supersedes and outlasts them all.

Today I’d like for us to look at the apostle John’s description of Jesus as “the prince of the kings of the earth” and see exactly what it tells us about our Lord and Savior as He rules today! The word “prince” is the word archon, a Greek word that denotes one who holds the highest and most exalted position. That emphatically means Jesus is truly Lord over all.

Furthermore, the word “kings” is a form of the Greek word basileuo, which means to rule or to reign. However, the form of the word used in Revelation 1:5 not only refers to human kings or rulers, but also to governments, which tells us Jesus’ power is greater than any human government. Human governments may think they are in control, but Jesus is exalted far above them, and He calls the shots. In time, every opposing force will be eliminated, and Jesus will remain high and lifted up!

It is significant that John used this terminology to depict Jesus in the beginning of the book of Revelation. As he wrote these words in the latter years of the First Century AD, early believers were suffering greatly at the hands of evil rulers. So John reminded them — and us — from the onset of his message that Jesus holds the ultimate authority and commands the final say in all matters. John boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the most highly exalted King and that He possesses supreme power and authority — more than any ruler or government that will ever exist in the earthly sphere.

Even in the darkest hours or the bleakest situations, the efforts of evil will always be thwarted by the prevailing power of Jesus Christ. Nearly 2,000 years of Church history have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that darkness doesn’t have the power or authority to silence the voice of Jesus Christ and His Church.

When Jesus appeared to John as the risen and exalted Christ, He imparted a powerful message to believers in all ages — He is the King of kings! He holds the highest seat of power; He possesses dominion over all; and His Kingdom will never cease. Other kings and governments will come and go, but Jesus’ Kingdom is everlasting and supersedes all others. There is no better reason to proclaim “AMEN!”

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is Lord over all, and that includes my life! Your Word is coming to pass at a rapid pace in these end times: Darkness is increasing; morals are sliding; laws are changing for the worse; and society is rapidly degenerating. But seated above them all is Jesus — the King of the kings of the earth. When all is said and done, rulers may have a temporary say-so in the affairs of man, but Jesus ultimately rules over all. Help me not to despair when I see evil prosper and to remember that Jesus has not lost His grip on the situation. He really IS Lord over all!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly confess that Jesus Christ is not only the King of kings, but the Prince of all the kings of the earth (see Revelation 19:16;1:5). There is no higher power or authority than Jesus Christ. His throne is exalted above all others. Human powers come and go, but the Kingdom of Jesus Christ endures forever. I declare that 2,000 years of Church history have proven that Jesus is highly and forever exalted, and that He will have the ultimate say-so in the affairs of mankind. I may not see how His hand is moving, but none is greater than or equal to Him. Jesus Christ rules over all, and He is directing the affairs of mankind to fulfill His divine purpose!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you despaired over the darkness that permeates society and the governments of the world? Are you ever tempted to think that darkness is in control? How can you best resist that temptation?
2. What did you learn from today’s Sparkling Gem? If you were to tell others about what you learned today, what truths would you share with them?
3. Why don’t you shut your eyes and let your imagination take you to the highest Heaven for a moment? Picture Jesus Christ above all the kings of the earth, seated there on His highly exalted throne!

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without.…
— 1 Timothy 3:7

Sometimes I hear people remark, “What people think of me is not important. It’s only important what God thinks of me, and that’s all that I should be concerned about.”

Today I want to explore this statement, especially for those who hunger to be used by God in a greater way. As you will see, what others think of you is very important if you want to be effective in reaching and helping other people. Your “spiritual curb appeal” determines whether or not people will listen to you or let you lead them, or if they will walk away in disgust. Let me give you an example from my own life.

Years ago I was prepared to invest a large sum of money on a particular project, so I spent weeks researching to understand the best place to make this investment of my time and money. I read advertisements and browsed the Internet to see what I could learn about different places where I could do this business. Finally I found what sounded like the ideal place to take our business. However, this was such a serious investment that I sensed the need to first go there to personally check it out before I made such a large transaction. I told my wife, “From everything I’ve read, it seems to me that this is a top-notch professional place to do business.”

But when I actually came to the place to see if this local business met my expectations, I was shocked. There I was, ready to make a large transaction that was very serious to me. But when I saw how the employees were dressed, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to do business there. Their clothes were sloppy; their hair was disheveled; the shoelaces on their tennis shoes were untied, and it looked to me like the official company uniform included shoddy-looking, baggy sweaters. I was dressed far more nicely than any of them!

I sat down to speak to a representative, and it was evident that he really knew what he was talking about. But to be truthful, the entire time the man was talking to me, I kept thinking, Why am I talking to a man who didn’t comb his hair before he came to work and whose shoes are filthy? I don’t feel good about trusting a man who doesn’t even care what he looks like to his clients! As smart as he sounded and as great as that group claimed to be, they lost my business because I just couldn’t bear the idea of investing my money with a group of people who looked so unprofessional. Even if they were geniuses, their “curb appeal” was so unprofessional that I decided not to do business with them.

Whether we like it or not, most people make their choices based on information received by their five senses. What people see, hear, smell, taste, or feel affects everything. What they perceive with their senses determines what they receive or reject; what they eat or refuse to eat; what they listen to or shut their ears to; what they watch or what they turn off; what they buy or what they walk away from; what they enjoy or what they loathe. People are affected by what they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. If it doesn’t look good, sound good, smell good, taste good, or feel good, it isn’t going to sell very well. This is usually true regardless of how good a product is. It isn’t going to sell very well if it doesn’t appeal to the senses because people are affected by these things.

This is why it is so imperative that you understand what people perceive about you is very important. If you do not have the right “curb appeal,” people will not listen to you or follow you. If they are turned off by you, your behavior, or your personal presentation, they will be less inclined to let you be their leader. It is just a fact that people are affected by how you dress, how you talk, how you treat others, how you work at the job, and yes, even by your personal appearance. Think of what an impact a first impression has on you when you meet a person!

This issue of what people think is so important that when the apostle Paul told Timothy how to choose leaders, he told the younger minister that it was imperative to choose leaders who “…have a good report of them that are without…” (1 Timothy 3:7).

The words “good report” is derived from two Greek words, kalos and marturia. The word kalos means good, beautiful, noble, enjoyable, or pleasing. The word “report” in Greek is derived from the Greek word marturia. This word has an array of meanings, depending on how it is used, but in this verse, it means a testimony or a witness. When used with the word kalos, the entire phrase means a good witness or a good testimony.

However, because the word kalos means good, beautiful, noble, enjoyable, or pleasing, it conveys the idea of a person whom others enjoy and who has a testimony of being pleasant or pleasing. In other words, this person has a good reputation in the sight of others. There is nothing offensive or displeasing in his behavior, temperament, or presentation that would discredit him in other people’s sight. According to Paul, it is mandatory that potential leaders have this kind of testimony. What others think about them is very important!

But look what Paul said next. He wrote that if a person desires to be a leader, it is especially required that he or she has a good reputation with “them that are without.”

The word “without” is the Greek word exouthen, and it refers to people who are outside, such as those who are outside of Christ. It refers to people who are non-Christian. Paul says a man or woman shouldn’t even be permitted to be a leader unless non-Christians think highly of them.

It doesn’t matter how much Gospel you preach to non-Christians, how many tracts and books you leave on their desks, or how much literature you send them in the mail — unbelievers are affected by what they see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. This means your life is your primary pulpit. If you are a leader or aspire to a leadership position, you must understand this and recognize that people are actively observing the message you present with your life. That is why it’s so important that your “curb appeal” be Christ-honoring and spiritually appealing to people who are watching you.

Think for a moment about leaders of influence who have many people following them. People generally don’t follow those of whom they have a low opinion; rather, they follow people whom they respect and of whom they hold a high opinion. This shows the power of influence and the importance of people’s perceptions. A person’s reputation and his personal behavior are so powerful that these factors determine whether or not a crowd will follow him. In fact, if a person’s “curb appeal” isn’t right, people will seldom listen to or follow him or her, regardless of how gifted that person might be.

Sometimes I hear people remark, “What people think of me is not important. It’s only important what God thinks of me. That’s all I should be concerned about.” When I hear that, I know these are the remarks of individuals who have had no experience in leading people. If anyone intends to help people and affect masses in a positive way for the Kingdom of God, that person will have to learn this principle called curb appeal.

The fact is, what people perceive about us is very important, for it determines whether or not they will ever listen to us!

So let me ask you:

• Do you have a testimony that you are a positive, optimistic, cheerful, faith-filled, hardworking, dependable team player who is enjoyed by others?
• Do non-Christians prefer not to work with you because you frequently display a negative attitude and often give a lazy performance on the job?
• What is your “curb appeal” with unsaved people who see you every day?
• Do people in the church see you as a person they can depend on, or do they view you as undependable and not serious about your commitment?
• How is your “curb appeal” to people in your Christian community?
• Do your fellow believers look to you for help when it’s needed, or do they bypass you because their opinion of you is so low that they have discounted you altogether?

I encourage you to think a little deeper about this subject, especially if you want to be used by God to touch other people in this life. And if your present circle of friends doesn’t understand this vital principle, you may need to develop a new circle of friends who do understand it! It’s too important to just ignore the implications, because you can influence people for God only to the extent that people have a high opinion of you.

So I encourage you today: Ask the Lord what specific steps you could begin to take to spruce up your “spiritual curb appeal”!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I repent for thinking that other people’s opinion of me is unimportant. Help me live such a powerful, balanced, godly, dependable life that others will look to me as a tower of strength they can rely on. My life is my pulpit, and how I live before others will determine whether or not they respect me. If they do hold me in respect, the door will stay open for me to lead them and to influence them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So starting today, I am changing the way I think and embracing the truth that other people’s opinions about me are very important!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I have a positive influence on the people around me. I have a testimony that I am a cheerful, optimistic, faith-filled, dependable, and hard-working team player who is enjoyed by others. Because I do my best to live according to the Word of God, I have a good reputation with others in both the non-Christian world and in the Christian community. People respect me, honor me, believe me, trust me, and want to follow me because they have witnessed that I am solid, dependable, and reliable. Because the Holy Spirit is working in my character to transform my mind and conform me to the image of Jesus Christ, I have a good testimony with everyone I know and meet.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever known a Christian who said all the right words, but whose life didn’t match the things he said or preached? How did that person’s hypocrisy affect you and others who were watching?
2. Would you want to follow obediently someone you don’t respect? Why not?
3. What do people think of you? Do they have a high opinion of you and therefore want to know more about your faith, or do they quietly disrespect you? If you are bold enough to do it, why don’t you dare to ask a few people for honest answers to this question!

But without faith it is impossible to please him…
— Hebrews 11:6

I am so glad Denise and I chose to obey God when He called our family to move from a comfortable life in the United States into the unknown challenges of ministering in the former Soviet Union. I vividly remember that difficult time when I struggled with the growing awareness of that divine call. However, I ultimately came to the place where I knew there was no way around it. If we were going to obey God and walk in divine alignment with His plan and purpose for our lives, we’d have to obey His leading and move halfway around the world to the former USSR.

A verse that really helped me back in those days — and that still helps me today — is Hebrews 11:6. It says, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him [God]…” The word “without” is the Greek word choris, a word that means to be outside of something — like outside the city limits or outside the house, as opposed to inside the city or inside the house. It should actually be translated, “But outside of faith…”

This word describes faith as a location — a place where you can live “in” or live “out” of. The Greek literally means, “But outside of the place of faith, it is impossible to please Him…”

Furthermore, the word “please” is the Greek word euarestesai, a compound of the words eu and arestos. The word eu means well, as in something that is well — and the word arestos means enjoyable or pleasing. Together they describe the pleasure one feels from seeing something that is especially excellent or delightful.

So when you take all these different meanings into account, Hebrews 11:6 can be translated: “Outside of the realm of faith, it is impossible to bring delight and pleasure to God…” The flip side to this statement is that when you are living “in” a place of faith — that is, if you are where God has called you and doing what God has asked you to do — you bring pleasure to the Lord.

For Denise and I to live in a place of faith, it required us to be where God was calling us — and that was the former USSR. In the years that we have lived in this part of the world, God has asked us to do many things that required us to have “faith.” Each time, we had to decide to stay “in” the place of faith until the assignment was accomplished. Regardless of how difficult the task was or how long it took us to do it, we knew we had to be committed to stay “in” the place of faith until the job was done. According to Hebrews 11:6, God has been observing us — and as long as we’ve stayed “in faith,” it has brought delight and pleasure to His heart. That has been our great motivation to stay “in” faith!

If you want to fully follow God’s plan for your life, you must find out where God wants you to be. Then you must get in alignment with God’s call and stay there until the task is fulfilled. It is only from this position of solid, unequivocal alignment with God’s will that you can know you are pleasing God!

But you have to get started! So in today’s Sparkling Gem, I want to help you know how to start moving toward that all-important goal of being “in” faith with the tasks and assignments God gives to you. It may be that you don’t know where to begin your tasks of faith, so I want to help you learn how to get started and to discover where you’ll find God’s will for your life.

I want to offer six suggestions that can help you get moving in the right direction. If you don’t already have concrete direction, I’ve discovered that it’s best for you to first find a place to serve; then as you serve, God will start giving you a vision for your own life. So here are my simple six suggestions:

1. Decide to start.

Look around you and assess the various needs you see. Decide which needs you may be able to help meet. Prayerfully determine how your talents, gifts, and money can best reach souls and bring them into God’s Kingdom.

Then go for it “full throttle”! Actively set your faith on fulfilling the task. Believe for blessing to come upon it. Make it a priority in your prayer life, praying and serving as if the entire project depended on you.

2. Decide how you are going to start serving.

Seek guidance from the Lord regarding how you’re supposed to move forward. What is God specifically telling you to do? Is it something at church, with a ministry, or on your own? Are you supposed to start by giving financially to the work of the Lord? It takes fuel to run any ship, so your finances provide a powerful means of serving. Giving is one of the most effective ways to help promote and advance the cause of the Gospel.

3. Decide where you are going to serve.

Don’t take just any opportunity that comes along. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are supposed to serve. Once the Lord shows you, go for it with all your heart. Don’t be a low-level performer at anything God calls you to do. Give your best to the assigned task and remember that there’s a reward awaiting you in the future.

4. Decide what level of commitment you are willing to make.

Don’t overcommit yourself by promising to do something that isn’t possible for you to do. Even if your heart wants to say, “Yes, yes, I’ll do that,” step back and ask, “Is this realistic? Will I be able to do what I’m committing to?”

Evaluate how this level of commitment fits in with all the other commitments you’ve already made. When you commit to do something, people think they can depend on you. So if you back out of your commitment later because it’s too much for you to handle, you mess up the plan for everyone else involved. It’s better to move slower in the beginning so you can make sure you’re making the right decision.

Before you make a financial commitment to a church or ministry, make sure it’s a commitment you can really keep. If your heart is crying out to give financially, act on that desire.

However, first analyze what amount you can actually give. If you have the ability to give large amounts, go for it! But if you need to start by giving smaller amounts because your financial resources are limited, that’s all right too. It’s better to commit to an amount that is actually achievable than to make a financial commitment that is larger than your current ability to fulfill.

5. Decide to make a habit of sowing seed — and start immediately.

Galatians 6:7 says, “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” This law of sowing and reaping works for everyone in the world. What you sow is exactly what you are going to reap. It may take awhile, but harvest day is coming if you’ve been planting seeds along the way. So decide to become a sower immediately — and start sowing those seeds today!

You also need to decide what you are going to sow. Since Galatians 6:7 says, “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” it’s very important to know what you want to reap. Determining what you want your harvest to be is the best way to determine what you should sow.

For instance, if you need time, you should sow time. If you need love, you should sow love. If you need friendship, you should sow friendship. If you need money, you should sow money. This is a law of God that always works. So look at what you need to reap, and then start sowing your seed accordingly.

You need to decide where you’re going to start sowing seed. As you make that decision, I urge you to make sure that you sow your seed into good ground. By that I mean you should sow seed into a church, ministry, or Christian organization that is truly accomplishing something profitable and good. Don’t throw your seed into ground that doesn’t produce excellent fruit. Look for fruit-producers. Once you find them, you’ll know where you should plant your seed.

I also strongly recommend that you sow your seed into what you want to become. I plant my seeds into ministries I believe in and into ministries from which I want a particular harvest. The Bible promises that we become “partakers of the grace” that rests on any ministry we sow into (see Philippians 1:7). Therefore, I carefully choose where I sow my seed. I sow into ministries that have something I desire for myself. In other words, the grace that is on that ministry is the grace that will flow back into my life.

6. Decide that you will not stop for any reason.

Galatians 6:9 continues, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Keep your eyes on the prize, and don’t allow weariness to knock you out of the game! The Bible promises that your due season is coming. Even if it looks like it’s taking too long for your harvest to come back to you, hang on tight and keep doing what you know God wants you to do. Your “due season” is on its way.

In the process of receiving that expected end, keep your level of expectancy high. God promises that your “due season” will come if you don’t faint and give up. So don’t let the devil or discouraging circumstances maneuver you out of the manifestation you’ve been waiting for. The moment you’re on the brink of your “due season” of God’s plan for your life, that’s usually the time the devil tries the hardest to get you to quit!

These six principles of God’s Word always work — in every country, in every culture, and for every person. If you will follow these principles, they will work for you to get you on the path that leads to your divine destination.

I urge you not to waste any time just sitting around and waiting for something to happen. It’s time for you to jump into action and expend whatever level of energy is necessary to move forward in fulfilling what God has put in your heart to do. And if you don’t know how to get your own dream moving yet, take this time to sow your time, talent, and money into someone else’s God-given dream. Remember, the law of sowing and reaping is always in operation. What you do for someone else is exactly what will come back to you!

So if you don’t know where to start in your own journey of faith, I pray that these six suggestions are helpful to you. Once you start moving, serving, and giving, I am sure that the Holy Spirit will begin talking to you about your own faith assignment — which may be entirely to help someone else. Whatever your divine assignment entails, God will make it very clear to you as He observes you staying faithful. These six suggestions are very simple, but if you put them into practice, it won’t be long until you begin to hear God speak some concrete direction to you. Then you’ll begin to understand where you need to be and what you should be doing to stay “in” the place of God that makes Him smile when He looks at you!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for this practical help on knowing how to get started on finding my place of faith. I want to know Your will; I want to follow it; and I want to stay “in” that place of faith until I hear You tell me that I’ve faithfully finished the task You’ve assigned to me. Help me know where to start, where to serve, what to sow, and where to sow my seed. I know that the six suggestions outlined in today’s Sparkling Gem will help me get started, so Holy Spirit, let’s do it — I am ready to get started today!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am not a person who just sits around, wondering about God’s will for my life. Until He speaks to me, I will implement these six suggestions in my life. I will start; I will know how and where to serve; I will determine the level of commitment I can make right now; I will sow my seed; and I will not stop. I fully expect to see harvests coming back to me from every direction. I refuse to sit idly and wonder what I should do. I will find a place to serve and sow, and I will get started. As I take these steps of faith, I’ll begin to hear God’s voice speak to me specifically about my own place of faith — and when I hear it, I’ll obey and stick with it until I hear the Lord say the job is done.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you know what God has told you to do with your life? If not, have you considered serving someone else or somewhere else until your vision becomes clear to you? Are you serving somewhere now? Where are you serving?
2. Have you ever been “in” faith, and then slowly moved “out” of faith to the degree that you had to repent and get back in faith again? When was that experience? Is it something you are going through right now? How do you plan to get back “in” faith again?
3. Of the six suggestions you read about today, which of them are you already doing? Which ones do you need to implement?

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
— Matthew 18:20

Denise and I fully believe in the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18:20. It says, “For where two or three of you are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” We have experienced the presence of Jesus for years as we and other believers have gathered in His name. What a sweet presence fills our hearts as we come together in His name and seek His face.

We’ve experienced the presence of Jesus at church, at conferences, in prayer meetings, even at work with other believers — and now we’re experiencing Him in a new fashion every Monday night as Denise and I, along with one or more of our sons, welcome people to our online “Home Group” that is broadcast by Internet across the face of the earth. We “gather together in Jesus’ name” — and Jesus is there in the midst of us all over the world.

Some years ago, the Holy Spirit dropped an idea into my heart to start an online Home Group every Monday night and to invite people from around the world to join us. In the years we have done this, we have seen God touch so many people’s lives. The Word has been taught; miracles have occurred and God has supernaturally linked people together online from all over the earth. Jesus has been in the midst of us even as we all tune in from our various locations across the globe.

We actually webcast our online Home Group twice every Monday — once in English for the English-speaking world and once in Russian for the Russian-speaking world. People join us from all over the planet for this time when we teach the Word of God and share our life experiences from our hearts. This Home Group has truly become an online family and a time that our family and our Home Group members have come to cherish each week. In fact, one of our greatest personal joys is to have people come up to us when we are traveling and speaking in churches and conferences across the world and identify themselves as Home Group members. It’s like we have a brief, fabulous family reunion “on the spot” as we finally meet face to face!

On this very night as I write this Gem, we broadcasted one of our Home Group meetings. As soon as it was over, I immediately left the TV studio to put my thoughts on paper. The very air in our TV studio was electrified by the presence of Jesus as people tuned in from all over the earth to participate in an international online time together in Jesus’ name. I always begin by introducing ourselves, and then I remind our Internet family of the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18:20. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Jesus said nothing about being in the same room in order to experience His presence. He simply said we had to be gathered together in His name!

There are a handful of us who actually gather in the TV studio and produce the Internet broadcast for the Home Group. But in addition, there are very large numbers of faithful Home Group members who sit in front of their computers all over the world, joining with us as we all seek the truths of God’s Word together. Some view the webcast alone, and others watch with their spouses and families. There are even entire prayer groups who come together around a computer to join in!

Again, Jesus never said we all had to be gathered in one room. He simply promised that if we were “gathered together in His name,” He would be in the “midst” of us. Through the amazing development of the Internet, scores of us gather in Jesus’ name — and Jesus honors His Word by manifesting His sweet presence in the TV studio and in every home across the world where people are gathered online with us. It is a truly amazing experience!

Notice that Jesus said His presence would be in our “midst” anytime two or more are gathered together in His name. That means if you’re in the car with a Christian friend, Jesus is there with you. If you are at restaurant with several Christian brothers and sisters, Jesus is there with you. If you are at church, assembled with the entire congregation, Jesus is there with you. If you are on the telephone talking to a Christian friend and calling on Jesus to be the center of the conversation, Jesus is there with you!

The Greek word for “midst” is meso, which means right in the very center or right in the very midst. It is Jesus’ guarantee that we if are gathered together in His name, for His purposes — regardless of how we are gathered — He will be right there with us in the power of His mighty name!

Before the development of Internet, I had always limited this verse to church services, conferences, seminars, or prayer meetings, etc. But now the limit has been removed entirely. Anyone who deliberately gathers — in any shape or fashion — in the name of Jesus will experience the presence of Jesus in their midst. Believers on every continent of the world can gather simultaneously through the Internet in His wonderful name. And even though thousands of miles separate them, Jesus will manifest His presence in the heart of each person at the same time! What a miracle!

Today I want to encourage you to seek out fellowship with other believers through whatever means you can — over the phone, by Internet, by text or chat, at church, etc. — and ask Jesus to be there at the very center of your fellowship. Even if it’s only two or three of you, He will always be faithful to show up and manifest His goodness in your midst by His Spirit. It’s His promise to you and me, and there is nothing to be compared to the sweet presence of Jesus among believers who are gathered in His name. Do it today!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the promise Jesus made in Matthew 18:20 — that if two or three gather together in His name, there He would be in the midst of them. There is nothing even remotely comparable to the sweet presence of Jesus in the midst of Christian fellowship. It makes me want to ask You to forgive me for the times that I haven’t made a better effort to gather with other believers. I really need that sweet presence of Jesus that is experienced in Christian fellowship — and I’m so thankful that Jesus manifests Himself to those who gather in His name. Help me to be more consistent about my commitment to gathering in Jesus’ name with other brothers and sisters. And thank You for revealing and manifesting Yourself to us in such a precious way!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I need the sweet presence of Jesus that is manifested specially as brothers and sisters gather together in the name of Jesus. The Lord Jesus promised that He would be there among us as we gather in His name — and I commit to gathering regularly with others who are also seeking His face. Thank You, Lord, that You did not say we had to all be in the same room at the same time. You said simply that we had to gather at the same time in Your name, and Your precious presence would be there with us. I declare that I need that “corporate” presence of Jesus and that I will therefore take advantage of every opportunity to gather with other believers in Jesus’ name!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What did you learn from today’s Sparkling Gem? Had you ever considered the wide ramifications this promise from Matthew 18:20 held for you and me?
2. In what ways do you sense the sweet presence of Jesus when you are gathered with other believers in His name?
3. Have you ever experienced Jesus’ manifested presence in a setting other than a typical prayer meeting or church gathering? Where did that occur? How did that experience minister to you?

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there he prayed.
— Mark 1:35

Every day when I rise in the morning, I go to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, I grab my Bible, and I head to a hallowed place of prayer in our home. I shut the door to that room, which happens to be the TV room. There I have a leather chair that has become my daily meeting place with God each morning. Recently I looked at that chair, and it is practically ruined with “scratches” — crease marks — from the thousands of hours I have sat upon it as I’ve prayed. But those marks are precious to me because they represent countless hours I’ve spent sitting there, seeking the face of God and letting Him saturate my heart. Those scratches memorialize the place where I meet with God every morning unless I’m traveling abroad. (When Denise and I are traveling, we both rise early and seek out separate places where we each can pray privately just as we do when we are home.)

Denise kindly understands that as long as the door to our TV room is shut in the mornings, I am in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, reading my Bible, and allowing the Word of God to search my heart and soul to bring me into closer alignment with Jesus. Denise graciously never interrupts — unless it’s for some urgent reason — for she knows that this time alone with God will make me a better Christian, a better husband, and a more devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

On days when I must be at morning meetings at our Moscow Good News Church — or on days when we are filming TV programs — I arise even earlier, because I simply cannot forgo this time with the Lord. So even on those days, I can be found there in the TV room — the door closed — seeking God and studying His Word before any of these other events take place.

I have learned that I cannot have productive days without this time with the Lord. During those early morning times, I pray and I pour out my heart to God with thanksgiving for all He has done in my life. I pray fervently for partners and for others who are on my prayer list. I virtually never start a day at home without sitting in that beloved chair to seek the face of God and to allow God’s Spirit to search my heart and bring me to a more intimate experience with Jesus.

When I think of this “hallowed” place that I have set apart for seeking God, my mind always goes to Jesus and to the fact that He would rise early in the mornings to seek a solitary place where He could be alone with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We read of this in Mark 1:35, where the Bible tells us, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there he prayed.”

When the verse says that Jesus rose up “a great while before day,” the Greek actually says He arose while it was still dark. His disciples may have still been sleeping — but Jesus sought a secluded place where He could enter into fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He understood that the strength and anointing He needed depended on His fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. So Jesus made it His highest priority to withdraw from the disciples and from the multitudes very early in the morning to spend time fellowshipping with the Father and the Holy Spirit without interruption. When everyone else was finally rising, He had already been touched and strengthened by God and was ready to emerge with a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit’s power on His life.

Because Jesus and the disciples were constantly on the move from one location to another location, He did not have the luxury of having the same leather chair to retreat to each day as I do. The place where He spent time in prayer was frequently different. But one thing that was true of each location is found in Mark 1:35, where it says that Jesus always sought a “solitary” place where He would not be disturbed.

Actually, Mark 1:35 says he “departed into a solitary place.” The word “departed” is a form of the Greek word aperchomai, which, in this case, means to seek distance away from other things. Jesus may have walked to the top of a mountain or into a ravine, but it was some place that was distant from His disciples and the multitudes. He deliberately sought “space” between Himself and others for this private time of prayer.

Mark went on to say that when Jesus arose, He went to a “solitary” place. The word “solitary” is the Greek word ermos, which describes a deserted place. To put it into today’s vernacular, we could say it was a remote spot, a place that was out of the way, somewhere off the beaten track, an obscure site, or an unfrequented location.

In other words, Jesus sought for a place where no one would accidentally find Him and disturb this solitary time in prayer. This demonstrates just how vitally important it was to Jesus to find time alone where the Father could speak to His heart and He could pour His heart out to the Father and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

I don’t have a mountain to climb to find a remote location, and there are no ravines near my house. So I use what is next best — a room in my home that I have designated as “off-limits” during the time that door is closed. And during those “off-limit” times, I have deep and meaningful fellowship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And just as Jesus emerged from His solitary times renewed in power, I come forth from my daily times refreshed, reinvigorated, filled with new ideas, and empowered for my day.

Such moments of solitude with God are critical to the daily victory of every believer!

I want to ask if you have a “solitary place” where you “depart” — that is, where you put distance between yourself and others so you can have isolated time with the Lord? He longs to have this time with you — and you must have it if you are to live as an overcoming, victorious, empowered child of God.

If you answered yes, where is your solitary place where you meet with God? If your answer is no, I urge you today to begin seeking a place where you can develop this meaningful time with God in prayer!

For me, it all happens in a scratched-up leather chair in my TV room — a chair that bears all the marks of the time I’ve spent alone with God. And I can tell you for sure that if you really want to have this type of solitary time with the Lord, He will show you where, when, and how to do it!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I make a fresh commitment to start each day by lifting my voice to You. Each morning, Lord, I will rise and present my life to You, waiting expectantly for what You will speak to my heart. I ask Your forgiveness for all the times I foolishly launched into my day without having read your Word, sought Your face, or consulted the Holy Spirit whom You sent to be my Counselor, Helper, and Guide. Father, how arrogant and misguided of me to believe I could walk effectively in wisdom and truth without having submitted myself to You first. Only through rich fellowship with You can I produce fruit that remains. Forgive me for mistaking busyness for fruitfulness. I abide in You and let Your words abide in me. I treasure the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me order my day and to keep it set around giving my time with the Father first place from this day forward.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I do not neglect my time in a “solitary place” with God. I deliberately designate an off-limits time and place where I can have deep, meaningful, and uninterrupted fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus arose a great while before day to meet with the Father and then emerged from His solitary times renewed in power, I come forth from my daily times refreshed, reinvigorated, filled with new ideas, and empowered for my day. These moments of solitude with the Father keep my heart sensitive and yielded to Him while equipping me to possess my daily victory in the power of His might!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you have a “solitary place” where you meet with God every day? What time of the day do you set aside for this special moment? Is it in the morning, at lunch, or in the evenings before you go to bed?
2. It may be hard for you to rise early, but I strongly suggest that you develop a discipline of rising early before your day gets started so that you can be touched, refreshed, and empowered for whatever you will face each day. What earlier time could you start getting up to spend this time in prayer?
3. Do you feel that you actually know how to fellowship with the Lord in prayer? If not, don’t be embarrassed. Get an online Bible-reading plan and start there, fellowshipping with the Lord as you read His Word. As the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart about certain verses, stop and reflect on them. Let His words sink deep into your heart. That is an excellent starting point!