Are You an ‘Amateur’ Or a ‘Professional’?
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
— 2 Timothy 2:5
It is a fact that hardships nearly always reveal the real level of a person’s commitment to Jesus Christ. When everything is going well and there are no challenges, it’s easy to serve God. But when things get tough and people are faced with hard decisions, this is the golden moment when the real level of their commitment is revealed — when they have to decide, Will I remain faithful in the hard times? You can be certain that if a flaw exists in their commitment to Jesus, difficult episodes in life will bring that defect to the surface.
In the former Soviet Union, I know many people who paid a very high price for their faith in Jesus Christ. The rulers of that past time sent many believers to prison; deported others to slave labor camps; and incarcerated still others in psychiatric hospitals, where they were treated as mental patients because they believed in God. The Soviet leadership found all sorts of ways to disdain, humiliate, and mock Christians for being different. It was therefore a very serious matter to believe in Jesus Christ, requiring a life commitment.
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This is really true about all levels of life. For instance, you may say that you are committed to your spouse, a friend, to your employer, or even to your church. But what if problems emerge in those relationships that make you feel uncomfortable? What if being faithful requires you to stick with someone who is suddenly unpopular? Will you remain faithful to that relationship if problems arise in it? Will you stick to your commitment and keep your word — or will you tuck your tail and run from the stress, tossing the relationship to the wind?
You see, hard times really do reveal the truth about who people are! Doesn’t it make you grateful for the people who have stayed with you through the high moments and low moments, through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad times? Friends like these are very rare, so make sure you never take them for granted. They have proven the sincerity of their commitment to you by sticking with you through it all.
In Second Timothy, many people were defecting from the faith because hard times had come. Staying faithful to Jesus meant they might face persecution, beatings, imprisonment, or even death. Before the persecution commenced, the church at Ephesus was growing rapidly. But now it was declining as the newly arrived adversities exposed the genuine level of people’s faith.
In the midst of these trying times, Paul wrote to Timothy about the attitude that is essential to survive difficult times. Although Paul was making a statement, he was also asking a very pointed question. He said, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
The word “strive” is the Greek word athlesis, which always describes athletic activities or sporting events. It also notably depicted professional athletes. As time passed, it expressed the idea of any event in life that demands one’s labor or sweat and tears. It indicated exertion, effort, and commitment. It could refer to either physical exertion or mental exertion.
Just as in our world today, there were both amateur and professional athletes at the time Paul wrote this letter. If someone was an amateur, he wasn’t a serious contender and would not participate in the harshest competitions. However, if he was a professional athlete, he was so committed that he was ready to compete, no matter how intense the opposition or how difficult the circumstances. This is the idea Paul is conveying when he used the word athlesis in this verse.
Paul was in essence asking:
- Are you an amateur who serves the Lord just for fun?
- Have you committed yourself to go all the way to the end, regardless of the fight that ensues?
- Are you serving the Lord only because it’s popular and enjoyable for the moment?
- Are you a professional that is willing to pay any price, undergo any kind of hardship, bear up under any pressure, and endure it all until you come out the winner?
- Are you really committed?
If you’re not committed, you’ll never make it to the end. But if you do, Paul says there is a “crown” waiting for you. That word “crown” is the word stephanos, and it refers to a victor’s crown. In the ancient games, it was a wreath of leaves placed on the head of the winning athlete. As far as value goes, it wasn’t worth anything — but what it represented was worth the struggle! An athlete who walked away with the victor’s crown was honored for the rest of his life. The memory of his achievement would be etched into society, ensuring that he would never be overlooked or forgotten during the course of his life.
If you are a serious contender for doing the will of God — if you don’t allow anything to stop you, no matter what challenges the devil and life may try to throw at you — you will walk away with the respect and honor of others at the end of the battle. They will see that the sincerity of your faith was genuine and proven, surviving the hard times. Yours wasn’t a flawed faith that tucked its tail and ran in tough times. No, you stuck it out and showed who you really are! As a result, people will never forget that you stood true to your commitment!
Isn’t it true that you remember and almost stand in awe of people:
- Who stayed faithful to their friends, even through hard times?
- Who kept their commitment to their spouse, even though their marriage was hurting?
- Who remained faithful to their pastor in spite of the hard times in the church?
- Who stuck by their principles and refused to bend to the pressures that came to break them?
Let’s face it — people who fit into these categories are pretty rare in today’s world. But they are champions to the rest of us! They are examples of what we should try to become. Although they endured a lot to keep their commitments, as a result they stand as heroes to those who have observed their spiritual race. Their crown in this life is the special place of honor that has been etched in other people’s minds because of their accomplishments. They proved to be professional believers — not just amateurs who were along for the ride until it cost them something!
What kind of believer are you today, friend? Are you a professional, or are you an amateur?
You must come to a place of honesty in your spiritual walk where you are willing to ask yourself these questions. You see, it’s fun to serve the Lord when it’s easy and convenient. But what if God asks you to step out of your life of ease to accept a bigger challenge? That’s the moment of discovery when you find out what kind of spiritual athlete you really are!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I want You to see me as a professional! Therefore, I choose to put away amateurish Christian attitudes and behaviors! For me to be all You want me to be, I understand that it’s going to require more of me. Right now I am making up my mind to move to a higher level of commitment with God, to give Him all that I have, and to never stop until the job is done and the assignment is complete! Help me move into the “professional league” as a believer and to leave the life of the amateur behind forever!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I am a serious contender for doing the will of God! In spite of what the devil and life may try to throw at me, I will walk away as the winner. I will survive hard times and thus prove the sincerity of my faith. Mine isn’t a flawed faith that tucks its tail and runs. I am the kind of Christian who sticks it out to the end!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Does your level of commitment reveal that you are an amateur or a professional Christian?
2. Do you face hardships bravely, or do you tuck your tail and run when things get tough?
3. What would other people say about your level of commitment? Why not ask a few friends to tell you what they think, giving them the right to be totally honest with you?
Run Like You Are In the Race of Your Life
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
— 1 Corinthians 9:24
The main goal of all believers should be to find God’s plan for their lives and then to go after it with all their might and strength. But most Christians have never even awakened to the fact that God has a special race for them to run! This is why Paul asked the Corinthians, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but only one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Paul teaches us here that we are in a “race.” The word “race” is the Greek word stadion, which later became our word stadium. However, it first described a race course that was 600 feet in length or one-eighth of a Roman mile — the exact length that was used in the Olympics of the ancient world and in the Isthmian Games that were held near the city of Corinth. Because Paul was highly educated, he knew precisely what he was doing when he used a word that described the Olympic race course of his day.
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As noted above, eventually the word stadion became the word for a stadium, a place where athletic competitions were held. Since this is the picture Paul has in his mind as he uses the word “race,” let’s stop to consider the Olympic competitions and competitors of that time.
The winners of the Olympic competitions were rewarded both materially and with great honor; however, if you study the Olympic champions in the ancient world, you will see that the primary emphasis of reward was not on material wealth, but on the distinguished honor bestowed on the winners. These people were only able to achieve victory in the Olympic games by being disciplined, balanced, and committed to excellence; for these qualities, they were held in high regard. They became revered as heroes, gods, or icons in their society. Respect, honor, notoriety, and fame became their lifelong reward.
In addition to these ideas, it is also important to note that the word “race,” from the Greek word stadion, depicted the huge arena where athletic competitions were held. Paul uses this word to tell us that when we enter the race of faith, it puts us in the center of the arena. People see us as we walk by faith. They know of our struggles, and they watch as spectators to see if we will win our battles.
We must always keep in mind, therefore, that we’re not running a private race of faith, but a race that has influence on many people’s lives. Hence, Paul urges us to run our race in a way that encourages the bystanders who are watching from the sidelines to jump into the race themselves and pursue their destiny in God!
By using these ideas, Paul was communicating to the Corinthians (and to us) that we need to see ourselves as spiritual Olympic competitors! This life we lead is no game; it is the most serious competition we will ever face in this world. The rewards of a life well lived are enormous. Not only will God materially reward us as we are faithful to His call, but He also reserves eternal rewards of honor and glory for those of us who run our race well in this life (Romans 2:10).
It is interesting that Paul says, “…They which run in a race run all….” Notice particularly the emphasis “run all.” It means every believer is in some kind of race. A believer may not have awakened to the race he is in yet, or perhaps the race hasn’t yet been revealed to him. Nevertheless, the fact remains that God has a specific plan for every individual.
Our task is to find the divine plan for our lives; to get in shape so we can start running our race; and then to run like mad so we can finish in first place! That’s why Paul exhorted us, “…Run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
You see, runners have one thought foremost in their minds — the finish line! With this analogy in mind, Paul tells you to run your spiritual race with all your might, keeping your focus on the goal — the divine call on your life as God has revealed it to you. You may ask, “How long am I supposed to keep running and trying to reach my God-given goals?” The answer is until you “obtain” what God called you to do!
The word “obtain” is the Greek word katalambano, which is a compound of two words, kata and lambano. The word kata describes something that is coming downward, and the word lambano means to take or to seize something. When compounded together into one word, katalambano means to grab hold of, to seize, to wrestle, to pull down, and to finally make a desired object your very own. This is the picture of someone who finally sees what he wants — and instead of letting that goal he desires slip away, he pounces on it, seizing it and latching hold of it with all his might!
Paul uses this word katalambano to depict the attitude of a runner who is running with all his energy, straining forward as he keeps his focus fixed on the finish line. At last the runner reaches the goal, and the prize is now his! He gave that race all he had to give, and it paid off! Had he approached the race with a casual, lazy attitude, the prize would have gone to another. But because he ran to obtain that prize, in the end that’s exactly what he did!
There is no doubt that you have a divine purpose for your life, something God has called you to do. God has marvelous ideas and plans for your life! The question is this: Do you want to fulfill His plans for you? If your answer is truly yes, then set your heart on your goal. Don’t be half-hearted, mealy-mouthed, touchy, or easily discouraged. It’s time for you to develop some resolve!
Do you see yourself as someone who is running the spiritual Olympic event of his or her life? Or are you simply “jogging for Jesus”? If you’re serious about fulfilling God’s plan for your life, it’s time to shift into high gear and to start putting all your spiritual, mental, and physical energies into getting the job done. You have to remove all distractions and commit yourself to a life of discipline, balance, and devotion.
Your attitude must be, “I’m going to run this race, and I’m going to WIN it! I’m not going to live my whole life missing out on what God has for me! No matter what inconvenience I endure, what price I have to pay, or what adjustments I have to make, I am going to faithfully run my race so that one day I can obtain the prize — the fulfillment of God’s call on my life!”
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I want to set my eyes on the finish line and never lose my focus until I know that I’ve accomplished the task You have given me to do. I know it’s going to take all my spiritual, mental, and physical energies to get this job done. So I am turning to You now, Holy Spirit, and I’m asking You to empower me and to help me make it all the way to the completion of the dream You have given to me!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I declare that I have a divine purpose in life! I am not half-hearted, mealy-mouthed, touchy, or easily discouraged. I am like a runner who is seriously running a race. Because I’m serious about achieving God’s plan for my life, I am shifting into high gear and putting all my spiritual, mental, and physical energies into getting the job done.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Do you know what race you are supposed to be running in your life?
2. Are you running that race with 100 percent of your effort, or are you just half-heartedly jogging along in your life?
3. For you to achieve what God has told you to do, what changes of attitude and behavior do you need to make in your life? Write these changes down so you can pray about them!
The Lord Will Reckon With You When He Comes!
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
— Matthew 25:19
No one likes to think about judgment, but there is a day in all our futures when we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give account for our lives. Paul makes this very clear in Second Corinthians 5:9 and 10, where he writes, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
The judgment seat of Christ is a subject rarely taught today, but simply because it is ignored doesn’t mean it has ceased to exist. Some assert there will be no judgment for believers. However, these people are misinformed, for Paul makes it unmistakably clear that every person will stand before Jesus on that Day and give account for his or her life.
Our attitude changes dramatically when we live with the awareness that one day we will stand before the Lord “eyeball to eyeball” and answer for how responsibly or irresponsibly we lived our lives. There will be no fast talking on that day, because every lie and excuse will evaporate in His glorious light.
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For this reason, I do my best to live every day of my life with the thought that one day I will answer for what I do. I make the most of every minute, walk in love to the best of my ability, use the gifts and talents God has given me, and strive to obediently and successfully fulfill every task the Lord has given to me.
In Matthew 25, Jesus taught a parable to let us know that a day of reckoning is coming for all of us. After distributing measurements of money to three different servants, a certain lord (or employer) left on a long journey. When he came back, he wanted to see what his three servants had done with the money he had given them, so he called them in for a review.
The King James Version of verse 19 says, “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” Just as this lord returned in the parable, Jesus is coming back again one day not so far away. Just as this lord reckoned with his servants, Jesus will reckon with us when He returns. Therefore, we need to know what the Bible means when it says Jesus will “reckon” with us.
The word “reckon” comes from the Greek phrase sunairei logon meta. It is a commercial term that means to compare accounts. It is also a bookkeeping phrase that means to look at the record, to study the facts, to compare accounts, or to settle an account. This phrase would normally be used to portray an accountant who is putting together a profit-and-loss statement for his boss. He isn’t just skimming the surface; he is digging deep to analyze the real financial status of the corporation.
It’s very significant that Jesus used this word because it tells us the Lord is never satisfied with taking a shallow look at what we have done for Him! Neither will He just accept our word for it; rather, He will search and dig until He obtains a real picture of what we did or didn’t do for Him. In the end, Jesus’ examination of the facts will result in a very thorough investigation as He looks at what we have done and then compares it to what He asked us to do.
The only other place this Greek phrase is used in the New Testament is in Matthew 18:23 and 24, where it is used twice in one parable. It says, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousands talents.”
As in Matthew 25, this parable pictures a king — a superior power — who calls his servants in for a review of what they have or haven’t done. By thoroughly studying and examining the facts, he obtains a real picture of their situation. Armed with this knowledge, the king calls his servants to stand before him and give account for what they have done.
In using these Greek words, the Holy Spirit makes it hard for us to miss the point that a day is coming in the future when we are going to stand before Jesus to answer for our lives. On that day, we will look into His eyes and hear Him say, “Did you do what I asked you to do?”
Revelation 20:12 tells us that there are all kinds of record books in Heaven. One of them is called the Book of Life, but this scripture also says there are “books” that will be opened, containing records of what we did and didn’t do on this earth. These records must be very important, for they are saved in the archives of Heaven itself. And in each of our futures, there will come a day of reckoning when those books are opened. On that day, the Lord Jesus will look over the “profit-and-loss statement” for our lives, comparing what we did to what we were actually supposed to do.
This judgment will not be in regard to our salvation, for if we are at the judgment seat of Christ, we are already eternally saved. However, that day will determine our reward. Those who fulfilled the assignment Jesus gave them will receive a reward (1 Corinthians 3:14). Those who were not obedient will still be saved, but they will have no reward to show for their lives (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Matthew 25:19 could be interpreted:
“And when the lord of those servants returned, he called them up for a review — intending to thoroughly look at all the facts, to examine all the accounts, to determine the real status of what they had and had not done, and to make them accountable to him for what he discovered.”
Life is very serious, friend. Jesus expects us to do something with the gifts, talents, abilities, and assignments that He has entrusted to us. Therefore, since we know that a day of reckoning awaits us, let’s do everything we can to please Jesus. Let’s live in the constant awareness that one day we will stand before Him to answer for what we did in this life.
Consider this question: If you were required to stand before Jesus today and to answer for your personal record, what would the records reflect about you?
Starting today, why not put your whole heart into doing what He asked you to do? Decide to step out in faith to use your gifts, talents, and abilities. Choose to put aside those fears that have kept you from a life of obedience; then move forward by faith to do what God has asked you to do. As long as you’re doing everything you can to please Jesus and to walk in obedience, you have no reason to fear that day when you stand before Him and give account for what you have done!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, help me live with the awareness that a day of reckoning is in my future. Your Word makes it clear that on the day I stand before You, I will answer for what I did in this life. I will give account for the gifts, talents, abilities, ideas, and assignments You entrusted to me. On that day, I want to look into Your face with confidence, so help me NOW to faithfully use the abilities You’ve given me to execute every task You have asked me to do!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I boldly acknowledge that a day of reckoning is coming in my future. On that day, I will give account for what I did or didn’t do in this life. Therefore, I will use the gifts, talents, and abilities Jesus has given to me. I will faithfully execute every assignment He has asked me to do. I will do everything within my power to please Jesus in the way that I serve Him. I will make sure that my conscience is clear with God and with myself.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Do you ever think about the day that you will stand before Jesus to give account for your life?
2. Does that thought give you peace, or does it bother you because you know you haven’t been obedient to pursue what God has asked you to do?
3. What do you need to do differently in your life to have peace about this question?
Keep the Devil Where He Belongs — Under Your Feet
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly….
— Romans 16:20
Are you tired of the devil blocking your way and causing all kinds of disruptions and problems in your life, such as problems in your relationships, financial woes, or health problems? How would you like to lift your foot high and then slam it down as hard as you can on top of the devil — pounding, hammering, trouncing, crushing, and smattering him to bits under your feet? Does that sound like something you wish you could do?
Believe it or not, the apostle Paul encourages you to do exactly that! In Romans 16:20 he writes, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly….” The word “bruise” is taken from the Greek word suntribo, a word that significantly presents this notion of trampling the devil under your feet. The word was historically used to denote the act of smashing grapes into wine. However, it was also used to refer to the act of snapping, breaking, and crushing bones. In fact, it pictures bones that have been utterly crushed beyond recognition.
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This word suntribo is used in Mark 5:4 where the Bible tells us about the demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes. It says, “Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces.…” The phrase “broken in pieces” is this same word suntribo. Although bound in chains and fetters, the demonized man was sufficiently energized by the demons to be able to crush those fetters to pieces.
The use of the word suntribo in this verse portrays a demon-possessed man releasing so much rage and violence that he was able to obliterate, smash, demolish, and reduce those fetters to nothing. When he was finished, the fetters fell to the ground in a heap, twisted and deformed — so broken that they would never be used to hold anyone captive again.
Now Paul uses this same word in Romans 16:20 when he says we are to “bruise” Satan under our feet. However, notice that Paul says we are to bruise him under our feet “shortly.” This word “shortly” is extremely important because it takes the whole picture to the next level. It tells us what attitude we must demonstrate the next time the devil tries to get in our way or block our path.
The word “shortly” comes from a military term that described the way Roman soldiers marched in formation. They were instructed by their commanders, “You are Roman soldiers! Lift your feet high, stomp loud, and let everyone know you are coming through town. The sound of the stomping and pounding of your feet is the signal to let everyone know they need to get out of your way. And if someone is foolish enough to stand in your way — even if someone falls down in front of you — don’t you dare stop to ask them to move! Just keep marching, stomping, and pounding, even if it means you have to walk right over them!”
So when Paul uses the word “shortly,” he is referring to the pounding, stomping, crushing steps of a Roman soldier. And remember, Roman soldiers wore shoes that were spiked with nails on the bottom (see March 15). When a challenger stood in front of them — or if a person fell in their path — these soldiers would simply ignore the obstacle and keep marching, stomping, and pounding along their way, leaving the challenger or unfortunate person completely obliterated and trampled beyond recognition — an ugly, bloody sight.
What does all this mean for you and me today? It means the next time the devil tries to get in your way or block your path, you shouldn’t stop to politely ask him to move. If the enemy is stupid enough to challenge you and tries to hinder your plans, God tells you what to do in this verse: “Just keep walking! If the devil tries to stop you, just raise your feet high, pound down as hard as you can, and stomp all over him as you march forward. Crush and bruise him beyond recognition!”
However, it is important to point out that this smashing and crushing of Satan must be done in cooperation with God. Alone you are no match for this archenemy. That’s the reason Paul says, “…The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet….” In other words, this is a joint partnership between you and God. By yourself, you could never keep Satan subdued. But with God as your Partner, the devil has no chance of ever slipping out from under your heel!
Romans 16:20 suggests this idea:
“The God of peace will smash and completely obliterate Satan under your feet! If Satan tries to get in your way or to block your path, then it’s time for you to act like a soldier — lift your feet high, stomp and pound down hard, crushing the enemy under your feet and leaving him in a heap, trampled beyond recognition, as you march on….”
The glorious truth is that Jesus already completely destroyed Satan’s power over you through His death and resurrection. The devil was utterly smashed, crushed, and bruised when Jesus was victoriously raised from the dead (see January 31, February 11, February 28). Your God-given mission now is to reinforce the victory already won and to demonstrate just how miserably defeated Satan already is!
The enemy may try to lord himself over you; he may attempt to exert his foul influence over your life. However, he is merely using empty threats and illusions to feed fear into your mind.
Never forget — the only place that rightfully belongs to the devil is the small space of ground right under your feet! Jesus accomplished a total, complete, and perfect work through the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the dead. That means your healing, your miracle, or your financial blessing already belongs to you! The victory is already yours!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, the next time the devil tries to get in my way or to block my path, help me to raise my feet high, pound down as hard as I can, and stomp all over him as I march forward unhindered to do Your will. I thank You that because of Your victory, Satan has no right to exercise this kind of control over my life anymore! With You working as my Partner, I can stare that old enemy in the face and command him to move. And if he tries to put up a fight, I can push him out of the way and walk on through!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I boldly declare that Jesus destroyed Satan’s power over me! Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the devil was utterly smashed, crushed, and bruised. Now my God-given mission is to reinforce that glorious victory and to demonstrate just how miserably defeated Satan already is. The enemy may try to lord himself over me, but he has no authority to exercise any control in my life!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Do you see yourself as a victorious soldier in the army of God?
2. Are your problems under your feet today, or do you feel like you are constantly under the heel of your problems?
3. What are you going to do to turn this situation around? Write down ideas about what actions you can take to start winning the victory over the devil’s attacks in your life.
The Most Essential Weapon In Your Spiritual Arsenal
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth….
— Ephesians 6:14
Roman soldiers were dressed in beautiful armor! From head to toe, they were covered with various pieces of weaponry that were designed to protect them and equip them for fighting. But of all these pieces, one piece was more important than all the others. That vital and most important piece of weaponry was the Roman soldier’s loinbelt.
A loinbelt didn’t look important. Certainly no soldier would have written home and told his parents, “Wow, I’ve got the most incredible loinbelt!” He might have told them about his shield, his sword, or his breastplate, but no one got excited about the loinbelt. Nevertheless, it was the Roman soldier’s most important piece of weaponry. Why was this so? Because the loinbelt held many of the other pieces of weaponry together. If a soldier’s loinbelt wasn’t in place, he was in big trouble.
This is even true with modern clothing. For example, the belt I wear around my waist is not something people notice. They might mention my tie, my suit, my shirt, my sweater, and even my shoes. But to date, I’ve never had anyone walk up to me and say with excitement, “Wow, what a belt!” However, my belt is very important! If I removed it, I’d find out how important it is, because my pants would fall off! That makes my belt quite a vital part of my attire!
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In the same way, the Roman soldier’s loinbelt was the piece of armor that held all the other pieces together. His sword hung in a scabbard that was clipped to the side of his loinbelt. When not in use, his shield was hung on a special clip on the other side of his loinbelt. The pouch that carried his arrows rested on a small ledge attached to his loinbelt on his backside. Even his breastplate was attached in some places to his loinbelt.
Accordingly, the soldier’s ability to use his other pieces of weaponry depended on his loinbelt. If he had no loinbelt, he had no place to attach his massive shield or to hang his sword. Without a loinbelt, there was nothing to rest his lance upon and nothing to keep his breastplate from flapping in the wind. The armor of a Roman soldier would literally come apart, piece by piece, if he didn’t have the loinbelt around his waist.
You can see why the loinbelt was absolutely essential to the Roman soldier in order for him to be confident in battle. With that belt securely fastened, he could be assured that all the other pieces of his equipment would stay in place, enabling him to move quickly and fight with great fury.
Thus, the loinbelt was the most vital part of all the weaponry the Roman soldier wore. Now consider all this in light of Ephesians 6:14, where Paul says, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth….” For the child of God, the loinbelt of his spiritual armor is the written Word of God — the truth.
When God’s Word has a central place in your life, you will have a sense of righteousness that covers you like a mighty breastplate. When God’s Word is operating in your life, it gives you the sword you need — that rhema word quickened to your heart by the Holy Spirit (see February 22). When God’s Word dominates your thinking, it gives you peace that protects you from the attacks of the adversary and shields your mind like a powerful helmet.
As long as the loinbelt of truth — the Word of God — is central in your life, the rest of your spiritual armor will be effective. But the moment you begin to ignore God’s Word and cease to apply it to your life on a daily basis, you’ll start to lose your sense of righteousness and peace. You’ll find that the devil will start attacking your mind more and more, trying to fill it with lies and vain imaginations. You see, when you remove God’s Word from its rightful place at the very core of your life, it won’t be long until you will begin to spiritually come apart at the seams!
If you want to stay clothed in your spiritual armor, you must begin by taking up God’s Word and permanently affixing it to your life. You have to give the Word a central place and dominant role in your life, allowing it to be the “loinbelt” that holds the rest of your weaponry together.
So as you go about your daily routine today and every day, keep your “loinbelt of truth” fully attached and operative in every situation you face. Let the Bible be the governor, the law, the ruler, the “final say-so” in your life!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I know that Your Word is the most important weapon You have given to me. Forgive me for the times I have not made it a priority in my life. Today I make the decision to never ignore Your Word again. Holy Spirit, help me stay true to this decision. Please remind me every day to open my Bible and take the time needed to wrap that Word around my life!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
Because God’s Word has a central place in my life, I have a sense of righteousness that covers me like a mighty breastplate. God’s Word is operating in my life, giving me a powerful sword to wield against the enemy — that rhema word quickened by the Spirit of God to my heart in my time of need. And because God’s Word also dominates my thinking, I have peace that protects me from the attacks of the adversary and shields my mind like a powerful helmet.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Does the Word of God really have a central role in your life, or is reading your Bible something you do once in a while when it’s convenient to you?
2. Was there a time in your life when you devoured the Word of God? What kind of fruit did that period of time produce in your life? Take the time to write down your answers and really think about them.
3. What changes do you need to make in your schedule now to give God’s Word the central place it ought to have in your life?
Do You Have the Right To Demand Anything From God?
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
— John 15:7
Exactly how bold can you dare to be in prayer? Do you have the right to come into the Presence of God and make certain demands of Him? What are your rights, your limitations, and your boundaries when it comes to the issue of prayer?
Jesus used an attention-grabbing word in John 15:7 when He was speaking to the disciples about prayer. The King James Version says, “…Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” The Greek word “ask” destroys any religious suggestion that we are lowly worms who have no right to come into the Presence of God. It also destroys the picture that we must pitifully beg and plead for the things we need of the Lord. You see, the word “ask” is the Greek word aiteo, a word that means to be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money, and so forth.
Although this word aiteo means to demand or to insist, it does not give a believer license to be arrogant or rude in his approach to God. In fact, in the New Testament, the word aiteo is used to portray a person addressing a superior. The person may insist or demand that a certain need be met, but he approaches and speaks to his superior with respect and honor. Additionally, the word aiteo expresses the idea that one possesses a full expectation to receive what was firmly requested.
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There is no doubt that this word describes someone who prays authoritatively, in a sense demanding something from God. This person knows what he needs and is so filled with faith that he isn’t afraid to boldly come into God’s Presence to ask and expect to receive what he has requested.
Some people are disturbed by this idea of “demanding” something from God. However, they wouldn’t find this particular concept of prayer so disturbing if they kept it in context with the entire verse.
The first part of John 15:7 gives the key: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you….” Jesus knew that if His words take up permanent residency in your heart and mind, you will never ask for something that is out of line with His will for your life. His Word will so transform your mind that your prayers will always be in accordance with what He has already said. In fact, this transformation process is what gives you the confidence to boldly come into God’s Presence and make your requests known! You ask boldly because you already know it is what He wants to do!
When you know you are praying according to the will of God, you don’t have to sheepishly utter your requests. Rather, you can boldly assert your faith and expect God to move on your behalf! To tell the truth, God wants you to act boldly and courageously in prayer. He wants you to seize His will for your life and demand that it come into manifestation! He’s just waiting for you to ask!
And don’t think that you can only come to God for spiritual blessings. As noted earlier, the word aiteo used in John 15:7 primarily has to do with requesting things of a physical and material nature, such as food, clothes, shelter, money, and so forth. Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 6:33 that if we seek the Kingdom of God first, God will see to it that all the material things we need are provided. On the other hand, James 4:2 teaches that believers often do not have what they need because they don’t ask!
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” The word translated “request” is also the word aiteo. By using aiteo in this verse, Paul also urges us to be bold, authoritative, and commanding. However, he underscores the point that our approach to God must not be rude and arrogant but rather filled with gratefulness and thanksgiving. This means we should have a thankful, grateful heart as we come to make our requests known.
As you allow God’s Word to take an authoritative role in your heart and mind and you give that Word the freedom to transform your thinking, your mind will become renewed to God’s will. When that happens, it will cause you to pray in accordance with His plan for your life. Once you are in this position, you are ready to experience this aiteo kind of prayer. That’s when you can begin to boldly, courageously, and confidently move into higher realms of prayer to obtain the petition you desire of God! As you make your bold requests known to God, take the time to show your respect by thanking Him for all He has done in your life!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I’m so glad that I can be bold and straight to the point when I come into Your Presence. I am so thankful that You want me to boldly present my needs to You and expect You to answer my requests. Jesus told me to boldly ask, so it is right for me to do just that! Today I come before You to tell You about some big needs I have in my life — and because I know You want to bless and help me, I am releasing my faith, fully expecting to receive what I request of You today!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I am bold when I come to God in prayer. Because Jesus beckons me to come to the Father with bold, frank, and confident requests, I make my needs known to God and fully expect Him to answer me. He is my Father, and I am His child. He WANTS me to be bold enough to ask Him to meet my needs, and He promises never to withhold any good thing from me!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Have you ever felt like you needed to beg and plead for God to do something in your life?
2. How is the teaching in this Sparkling Gem going to change your prayer life?
3. Can you think of one thing you can boldly ask God to do for you today?
How Is Your Memory Working?
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.
— 2 Timothy 1:3
When Paul wrote these words, he was sitting in prison in Rome. Having been judged by the courts and sentenced to death, he was living his final days in prison as he awaited the day of his execution. The method of execution had been decreed: He was to die by beheading.
Paul knew that in just a short time, soldiers would enter his cell, bind him in chains, and then take him to the place of his beheading. As he anticipated this coming hour, Paul received a letter from Timothy. Reading the letter, he perceived that his young disciple was in trouble. A spirit of fear was attempting to operate in Timothy due to the horrific persecution that was sweeping like waves across his city. In addition, Timothy was fighting feelings of hurt and devastation because the leaders he trusted had abandoned him in this difficult hour.
Paul knew that this might be his last opportunity on earth to encourage the younger man of God, so he wrote back to Timothy and told him, “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).
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This word “remembrance” comes from the Greek word mneia. In some places in literature, this word denoted a written record used to record and memorialize a person’s actions. In other places, it signified a statue, monument, or memorial. An example of this latter meaning is found in Acts 10:3,4. As Cornelius prays, an angel appears to him and says, “Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God.” This word “memorial’ is from the same Greek root as the word “remembrance” that Paul used in Second Timothy 1:3.
What do all these various meanings have to do with Paul’s prayer for Timothy? What images does Paul intend to communicate by using this very special word?
First, this word tells us that Paul intended to use his prayer time to make sure Heaven was fully aware of all the achievements being accomplished by Timothy. Before Paul began to lift up Timothy’s present need, he’d take the time to tell Heaven everything he thought and felt for this young man of God. By doing this, Paul memorialized Timothy in the annals of Heaven! Paul set the record straight and made sure Heaven was aware of what this young disciple was doing in Jesus’ name.
We need to learn from Paul’s example. Before you begin to pray for a person’s need, first take a few minutes to review his acts of faith! Remind the Lord of all that person has done for the Kingdom of God. Put the Lord in remembrance of the way he has served, the time he has given, the money he has sown, and the way he has endured to do His will. Make sure you start your prayer time by setting the record straight and memorializing that person in the Presence of the Lord.
Second, the use of this word tells us that Paul prayed so fiercely and fervently for Timothy that his prayers left a lasting impression in Heaven. Like a statue or memorial permanently stands for generations to remind us of what someone did in the past, Paul’s prayers for Timothy were monumental in Heaven. Figuratively speaking, Paul prayed so much for Timothy that he filled the throne room of God with pictures, images, statues, and memorials of the younger man. Everywhere God looked, He saw an image of Timothy! In other words, God was continually confronted with the needs of Paul’s young disciple through the apostle’s continual prayers.
How would you like for someone to pray for you this much? Would it bless you to know that one person is so dedicated to praying for you that he has filled Heaven with your image — to the point that everywhere God looks, He is met head-on with your needs and your desires?
Let me turn the question around now and ask this: Is there anyone you’re praying for right now? If the answer is yes, go for it with all your heart, knowing that your prayers are painting pictures and erecting statues of that person and his need before God. Because of your prayers for your loved one, God will consistently be reminded of his need and will move mightily on his behalf.
These Greek meanings tell us that it is almost as if Paul was telling Timothy:
“Timothy, my intention is to pray, pray, pray, and pray for you until I have set the record straight about your activities and until I have stacked the throne room of God with your name! Anywhere God looks, I want Him to see a living memorial of you! I don’t want God to ever forget you; therefore, I am loading Heaven with statues, monuments, and memorials of you. My prayers for you will stand as an everlasting memorial before God!”
The fact is that many lives have been spared because of a mother or grandmother who prayed. Even long after these faithful prayer warriors die and go to Heaven, their prayers continue to exert power in life. Why is this so? Because prayers are permanent and everlasting. God never forgets a prayer that is prayed in faith. That prayer stands in His Presence as an everlasting memorial — like a huge edifice or marble statue!
Don’t wait another day! Go ahead and start stacking Heaven with some of your own everlasting memorials. Open the door for God’s blessings to flow into the lives of those for whom you pray. And be assured — your prayers of faith on behalf of others will NEVER be forgotten by God!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I thank You so much for people who have prayed for me. I know their prayers were a vital force to keep Heaven in remembrance of the needs and situations I was facing in life at the time. Forgive me for not being more grateful for people who loved me enough to pray. Now I ask You to help me faithfully pray for those You place on my heart, just as others have prayed for me. Help me keep Heaven in remembrance of these people and their needs.
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I declare that I am faithful to pray for the people I love! Just as others have prayed for me, I take time to pray for those whom God places on my heart, even mentioning them by name to the Lord. My prayers are powerful and effective for them, causing Heaven to be constantly confronted by the situations and needs they are facing right now. I make a difference in their lives by taking time to pray!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Do you know anyone who fervently prayed for you and who is partially responsible for where you are in life right now because of his or her prayers?
2. Don’t you think it’s time for you to return the favor by consistently praying for someone else?
3. Why don’t you make a prayer list of people you can begin to pray for every day? Take time to really think about who you should include on that list; then write down their names on a piece of paper, and keep the list in a place where you can refer to it when you pray.
Doing Things Decently and in Order
Let all things be done decently and in order.
— 1 Corinthians 14:40
How does God want us to worship Him? This is a question that has been asked by different denominations throughout the centuries.
In the church I grew up in, I remember what we thought of any church that had “wild” church services. We deemed those people “incorrect” because their services weren’t conducted “decently and in order” — at least not according to our perspective.
But over the years, I have come to learn that “decently and in order” can mean different things to different people. What is acceptable to one group may be outrageous and offensive to another group. What is deemed holy, sweet, and touching by one group might be viewed as dead and dull to another. Everyone has his or her own opinions about what is appropriate or inappropriate in worship.
The Body of Christ is composed of too many different groups to list them all here, such as Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics. It therefore shouldn’t surprise us that Christians have differing opinions about the right and wrong way to worship God. It also shouldn’t surprise us that most people assume that their form of worship is the most scriptural.
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So who is right and who is wrong? Is there only one correct form of worship? Could there possibly be room for a variety of different expressions of worship in the Kingdom of God? And are we ready to honestly ask ourselves, Are my opinions about worship influenced only by the Bible, or am I also influenced by my culture and upbringing? What are the guidelines set forth in Scripture?
You may personally believe that praise and worship with instruments, clapping, dancing, and all kinds of celebration is the right approach to worship. Or you may be a person who loves a quieter, more structured form of worship with hymns and organ music. Either way, you may have a host of scriptures to back up your conviction and support your view of what worship ought to be.
However, the New Testament basically gives us only one rule to follow in regard to this question of what is acceptable and appropriate in worship. That rule is found in First Corinthians 14:40, where the apostle Paul tells us, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
The word “decently” is the Greek word euschemonos. Other than this verse, the word euschemonos is only found two other times in the New Testament — in Romans 13:13 and in First Thessalonians 4:12. In both of these places, it is translated to do something honestly or to walk honestly. It carries the notion of something that is done properly as opposed to improperly. It has to do with intent and motivation more than outward action, although such a good intention always results in right actions.
The word “order” is the Greek word taksis. It carries the idea of something done in a fitting way or something done according to order. The Jewish historian Josephus used the word taksis when he recorded the orderly way in which the Roman army erected their camps — indicating their camps were orderly, organized, and well-planned. The commanders didn’t engage in last-minute planning. Their camps were not hastily thrown together but rather set up in an organized and thoughtful manner.
Josephus also uses the word taksis to describe the way the Essene Jews were respectful of others. These Jews would wait until others were finished speaking before they’d take their turn and speak out. In Josephus’ depiction of this behavior among the Essenes, he used the word taksis to picture people who were respectful, deferential, courteous, accommodating, well-mannered, and polite.
Taking these meanings into account, First Corinthians 14:40 could be translated:
“Let everything be done in a fitting and proper manner that is organized, well-planned, respectful, well-mannered, and polite.”
This throws open the door to all kinds of worship! It can be quiet, loud, soft, or bold. The important thing is that the time of worship would not be something thrown together at the last minute with no thought or organization. After all, we’re talking about believers coming together to worship the Almighty God! Therefore, when we plan corporate worship, it should be well thought out and organized. Additionally, our time of worship together should be well-mannered, respectful, and polite.
A group of believers can be bold, loud, and well-mannered all at the same time. They can also be soft and quiet while at the same time rude and offensive. The style, use of instruments, and volume level are not the biggest questions in God’s mind. The big question in His mind is this: What is their intent and motivation? If the group’s intent and motivation is correct, their worship will be accompanied by an attitude that reflects the character of Jesus Christ.
So don’t get upset if others worship a little differently from how you are accustomed to worshiping. Jesus is listening to their hearts. He is watching to see how much energy and forethought they put into the plan before they enter into His Presence. Their form of worship may be different than yours, but if they are worshiping God from a pure heart and with their entire being, you can rest assured that their worship is acceptable to Him!
The truth is, God is more interested in the condition of your heart than the style of worship you use in the format of your church service. So instead of focusing on who has the best form of worship, concentrate on whether YOU have an open, pure heart before God!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I want to have an appreciation for the entire Body of Christ and not hold others in judgment because they worship differently than I do. Please forgive me for the times I’ve been so judgmental, narrow-minded, and closed to anyone who does things differently than what I am accustomed to doing. Help me see the wonderful flavors You have placed in Your Church and to learn to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful blend and varieties that exist in Your family!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I am tolerant and nonjudgmental toward those who worship God differently than my friends and I. As long as they worship Jesus and do it with all their hearts, I thank God for them. I choose to do everything within my power to show respect for and to honor the way others feel most comfortable in their worship of God. If God sees their hearts and receives their worship, I am in no position to judge or condemn. For the rest of my life, I will no longer take a contentious position against those who represent parts of the Church that are different from mine.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. Have you been opinionated and judgmental about other people’s forms of worship?
2. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, what attitude do you think is right for you to have toward other people’s different forms of worship?
3. According to First Corinthians 14:40, what is the most important thing for you to be concerned about in the way a church worships God?
Refuse to Ever Let Go of Your Dream
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).
— Hebrews 10:23
What do you want God to accomplish through you in this life? What are the dreams you think about every night when your head hits the pillow, or every day when no one else is around? Do you daydream about what you’d like to become or do in the years that lie ahead? Have you considered the possibility that these daydreams may in fact be the will of God for your life — dreams He placed deep down inside your spirit that are starting to be awakened? Is it possible that this is the timing for God’s dream for your life to be ignited in your soul?
Dreams are powerful. They usually seem impossible at first, but those who dare to do the impossible are the ones who eventually see the impossible come to pass in their lives. Everything great starts as a dream. Consider the example of Thomas Edison, who worked so long and furiously to realize his dream of the light bulb. Although Edison failed literally thousands of times in the earliest pursuits of his dream, he learned from every failure and pushed forward. Finally, his dream came to pass, and it changed the course of human history.
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What if this brilliant man had given up and given in to discouragement? I’m sure someone else along the way would have invented the light bulb, but Edison wouldn’t have had the great honor of being a part of it.
There are myriads of Bible examples of individuals who had a dream. For instance, let’s consider the dream God gave Abraham — called the father of our faith — regarding a new land and a new people. When God first spoke to him about the son He would give him, Abraham and his wife had long been infertile and unable to conceive a child. The thought of having a baby probably seemed like an unattainable fantasy to them. They could have asked themselves, Is this really the plan of God for our lives, or is this a hallucination?
God also promised Abraham a new land but didn’t tell him where it was located. In their efforts to find that land, Abraham and Sarah were stricken with colossal challenges, problematic circumstances, and horrible internal family problems. First, Abraham’s father died. Then they lost their nephew Lot to Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham also took Hagar as a second wife, producing a son that didn’t belong to Sarah and a great deal of jealousy and strife. In addition, Abraham and Sarah experienced a terrible famine in their promised territory that forced them to leave due to a lack of food. Traveling to Egypt in search for food, they soon found themselves evicted from that land as well.
At any moment, it would have been so easy for Abraham and Sarah to say, “Enough is enough! Pack it up — we’re going back home to the city of Ur!” But instead of giving in to defeat and discouragement, they held tightly to the dreams God had put in their hearts and kept pursuing those dreams until they had witnessed their fulfillment.
If you want to see the dream God has given you fulfilled in your life, it is imperative that you have this same attitude. As Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).”
I want you to particularly notice the phrase “hold fast.” Abraham and Sarah “held fast” to their dream, and that is what you must do as well. The phrase “hold fast” is taken from the Greek word katecho, which is a compound of the two words kata and echo. The first word, kata, carries the idea of something that comes downward.
You could say the word kata carries the force of something that comes down so hard and so heavily, it is overpowering and dominating to the point of being subjugating. When this force arrives on the scene, it conquers, subdues, and immediately begins expressing its overwhelming, influencing power.
The second part of the word katecho is the word echo, which simply means I have and carries the notion of possession. This is the picture of someone who has sought and searched for one particular thing his entire life. After years of seeking and searching, he finally finds the object of his dreams. Joyfully he rushes forward to seize it and hold it tight. He wraps his arms around that object, making it his very own. Finally, he can say, “I have it! At long last it is mine!”
When kata and echo are compounded into the word katecho, it literally means to embrace something tightly. However, because of the word kata, we know that this is the image of someone who finds the object of his dreams and then holds it down — taking control of it, dominating it — even sitting on it so it doesn’t slip away!
The phrase “hold fast” is so strong that it can actually be translated to suppress. It is used this exact way in Romans 1:18, where Paul tells us about ungodly men “…who hold [or suppress] the truth in unrighteousness.” In other words, because these ungodly men don’t like the truth, they “sit on it” or “put a lid on it” in an effort to keep others from hearing the truth and getting set free. But in Hebrews 10:23, this same idea is used positively to describe you sitting on your word from God and refusing to let it slip out and get away from you!
This is the attitude you must have if you want to see your God-given dream come to pass. You have to wrap your arms around that word from God and never stop believing and pursuing your dream until it comes to pass. If you’ll katecho your dream, it won’t be able to get away from you, nor will anyone else be able to take it away from you!
The word katecho in Hebrews 10:23 could be interpreted this way:
“And let us hold fast to our confession, tightly wrapping our arms around it and embracing it with all our might, rejecting all attempts of anyone who tries to steal it from us.…”
When you finally discover God’s will for your life — when His plan finally begins to awaken in your heart and you know exactly what you are to do — hold fast to that dream. Tightly embrace what God has shown you. Seize it — wrap your arms of faith around it. Hold it down, and hold it tight!
Whenever you are tempted to get discouraged, give up, and release your dream, remember Abraham and Sarah. Although it took them awhile to receive their dream of a son, and although they had to overcome titanic hurdles along the way, they refused to let go of that dream and eventually saw it come to pass. In the end, they discovered that their dream was not a hallucination; it really was a word from God!
If you’ll hold tight and refuse to let go of YOUR dream, it will just be a matter of time until you see it come to pass! Place all your weight on top of that dream so that NOTHING can steal it away from you!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, I am well aware that events will occur in life that will tempt me to release the dream You put in my heart. So right now I ask You to fill me with the courage I need to refuse to let go of my dream. Even though my mind and the circumstances around me may send signals that the dream will never come to pass, I know that You are faithful to what You have promised. Help me wrap my arms of faith around Your promises and never let go until I see them come into manifestation!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I boldly declare that my word from God will come to pass! It may take a little while for it to happen, but I will firmly hang on to the promise God has given me. And because I refuse to let the dream slip from my heart, I stand by faith and declare that it is only a matter of time until I see the manifestation of what I’m believing God for!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. What can you learn about faith by looking at the lives of Abraham and Sarah?
2. In what ways does your own walk of faith compare with Abraham and Sarah’s walk of faith?
3. Can you think of a time in your past when you claimed a promise, hung on to it in the face of opposition, and later saw that promise come to pass? What was the blessing you received by faith?
The Necessary Attitude for Success
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….
— 1 Corinthians 15:58
Today I want to talk to you about an attitude you must possess if you wish to achieve success in your life. If you study the lives of achievers and history-makers, you will find that all of them remarkably share certain attitudes that helped them reach success. However, the attitude I wish to speak to you about today is so essential that it should be considered non-negotiable, especially if you wish to do anything significant with your life.
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This non-negotiable attitude is found in First Corinthians 15:58, where Paul urges us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….” The word “stedfast” in this verse is dealt with in the March 12 Sparkling Gem, but today I want you to consider the word “unmoveable.” This word refers to one of the most critically important attitudes for those who want to please God and do something noteworthy in their lives.
The word “immovable” is the Greek word ametakinetos, which has several meanings:
- It means not easily excited, shaken, or affected.
- It describes something that is not changeable or unpredictable.
- It was also frequently used in connection with stone structures or to refer to people who are known to have a strong and unbending character.
- Thus, this word portrays something that is solid, unbending, and not easily excited, shaken, or affected; a person, building, or place that is constant, stable, enduring, and dependable.
In other words, this is not a flighty, fickle, “here-today, gone-tomorrow,” “on-again, off-again” type of person; rather, this is someone who is constant, stable, and dependable. Because the word ametakinetos describes something immovable, it carries the idea of someone whose attitude can be described as:
- Rock-solid
- Fixed
- Grounded
- Established
- Rooted
- Anchored
- Unvarying
- Permanent
- Stable
When you start a new project or step out in faith to do something new, there will always be obstacles that try to get in your way. If you aren’t determined to be tougher than the problems that arise, it won’t be long until you throw in the towel and give up. That’s why this word ametakinetos is so vital. It is an attitude that says, “I’m not moving until I see my dream come to pass!”
Anyone who wants to be great or to do great things must learn to be constant, stable, dependable, inflexible, unbending, and unyielding in the face of challenges. This is a common characteristic shared by all great achievers.
First Corinthians 15:58 could be translated:
“…Be constant, stable, enduring, and dependable — one who is always abounding in the work of the Lord….”
When you know God has called you to do something, you have to develop this kind of rock-solid, immovable attitude about that task or project because one thing is certain: Satan will attempt to sidetrack you. That’s what the enemy does to anyone whom God calls to do a job!
The devil will try to use people’s negative words, a lack of finances, adverse circumstances, discouragement, and a host of other tactics to move you off course from your intended goal. That’s why you have to make up your mind to be fixed, rooted, grounded, anchored, and unwavering in your commitment to accomplish the task God has set before you!
So don’t allow yourself to be inconsistent and wavering in your commitment to accomplish your God-given assignment. Remember — others around you are watching your example. In this world where a lackadaisical, “who cares?” attitude predominates, people need to see what true commitment looks like!
Be steadfast and immovable in the place where God has called you. Make the rock-solid decision that you will be a “permanent fixture” within your divine call until your task is completed with excellence, regardless of what it costs you!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, as I step out in faith to do something new, I realize there will always be obstacles that try to get in my way. So today I am asking You to help me stay tougher than any problems that may arise. Help me maintain the attitude that says, “I’m not moving until I see my dream come to pass!” I understand that if I am going to do great things for You, I must be constant, stable, dependable, inflexible, unbending, and unyielding in the face of challenges. With Your help, I know this is exactly the kind of person I will be!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I declare that I am steadfast and immovable! I have a non-negotiable attitude of absolute determination to do what God has called me to do. I am fixed, solid, grounded, established, anchored, unvarying, permanent, and stable in my tenacity to grab hold of all that God has destined for me to accomplish with my life. I will not stop, give in, give up, or surrender to anything that tries to discourage me or to throw me off track. I am committed to stay in the race until I’ve made it all the way to the end.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Questions to Answer
1. If others were asked what they think about you, would they say you are flighty and fickle or stable, consistent, and solid?
2. If you were looking for someone you could depend on to do a job, would you want to choose someone like you?
3. If you’ve been consistently unstable in the past, can you think of ways to correct this in your life?