Fight the good fight of faith.…
— 1 Timothy 6:12

Many believers have the misconception that walking by faith means they should be able to effortlessly glide all the way to God’s destination for their lives with no hiccups or struggles along the way. But the Bible teaches quite the opposite in First Timothy 6:12. In that verse, the apostle Paul wrote, “Fight the good faith of faith….” According to this verse, the path of faith often requires a fight to see it through to completion.

The word “fight” is the Greek word agonidzo, which refers to a struggle, a fight, great exertion, or effort. It is where we get the word agony — a word often used in the New Testament to convey the ideas of anguish, pain, distress, and conflict. The word agonidzo itself comes from the word agon, which is the word that depicted the athletic conflicts and competitions that were so famous in the ancient world. It frequently pictured wrestlers in a wrestling match, with each wrestler struggling with all his might to overcome his opponent in an effort to hurl him to the ground in a fight to the finish.

The very fact that Paul would use this word, a word that was very well known in the world of his time, alerts us emphatically that when we step out to do something by faith, it often pushes us into a previously unknown fight. It throws us into some type of agony — anguish, conflict, pain, distress, or a struggle. It isn’t that God wants us to struggle. Instead, this is a fight that results from:

• The flesh that resists the will of God.
• The mind that struggles to understand what God has told us to do.
• Circumstances that seem to stand in the way.
• People who oppose us.
• The devil himself who throws his weight against each step of faith we take.

The point you must see is that Paul recognized when we step out in faith, we don’t just effortlessly glide to the destination God is directing us toward. We must fight the good fight of faith to reach the victorious position that allows us to one day hear those cherished words, “Well done!” from our Commander-in-Chief. But rather than shrink from the match that is before us, the apostle Paul urges us to give this fight our best effort! He tells us, “Fight the good fight of faith…” The word “good” is from the Greek word kalos, which denotes something exceptional, of the highest quality, outstanding, or superb. In the context of a fight, it pictures one who has given his best effort to the struggle in which he is engaged; hence, he is one who is doing a first-rate or first-class job at resisting his opponents.

Then Paul repeated the word “fight” a second time in this verse. He wrote, “Fight the good fight of faith.…” This second usage of the word “fight” is also from the Greek word agon — the same word he used when he referred to a “fight” at the first of the verse. It conveys the idea of one who is giving his complete concentration to the conflict and is totally focused on engaging the conflict at hand and achieving victory, regardless how long it takes or how much agonizing effort is required. It is the picture of total commitment to victory.

This is a far cry from simply gliding to God’s destination for your life with no hiccups or headaches along the way! As Paul told us in this verse, anything that is done by faith will require a fight of some sort in order to win. So if you are experiencing a struggle along the path to your personal victory — if you’ve been fighting off some very real mental or spiritual assaults along the way — don’t be taken off guard or by surprise. The Holy Spirit warned in advance through the apostle Paul that you must commit yourself to giving the pursuit of God’s will for your life your very best effort and to doing whatever is necessary to finish the goal set before you!

God is calling upon you to stand up and fight — giving your concentrated efforts to stand firm for what you believe. Fight in a manner that is noble, admirable, and worthy of the reward that awaits you. And remember — the greater reward usually requires a greater fight. Keep this in mind as you press forward to be first-class in your determination to overcome every obstacle and resistance along the way. Stay in the fight until you can shout, “The fight is finished and victory obtained!”

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I admit that I’m in a fight. I need grace and strength to stay in this match and finish it to completion. I didn’t realize how much would be required of me. But I am determined and committed to keep up the good fight of faith until I can say the fight is finished and victory is accomplished. Holy Spirit, I ask You to fill me with a fresh supply of Your power, strength, and resolve — a supernatural level of commitment — so I will stay in the fight till my assignment is fulfilled.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly declare that God knows exactly what I am facing. I am not fighting this good fight of faith by myself! The Holy Spirit lives in me and fills me with His power — enough power to resist any opponent that would try to stop me from fulfilling God’s plan. Today I yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to fill me to the brim with His power that resists every opposing force and endures strong to the end so I can stay in this fight until it is over and I’ve won the victory.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Think of a biblical example of someone who fought a good fight of faith and stayed in the battle until his fight was complete and his victory was won. Can you name more than one?
2. Can you call to mind some contemporary examples of individuals who fought a good fight of faith? What did they achieve by staying in the battle? How long did it take them to attain victory? What would have happened if they had given up and not followed through to completion?
3. How long have you been fighting your good fight of faith? What is in jeopardy if you give up your fight and throw in the towel?

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
— James 1:5

Have you ever asked someone a question that you knew he or she could answer, but instead of being helpful with a clear response, that person skirted the issue and answered indirectly? In these situations, it may have appeared that the person was hiding his knowledge to retain a sense of control by keeping you in the dark. What an unpleasant experience, especially when you know that the person could just simply answer you!

This is the way many people wrongly perceive God. They know that He has the answers to their questions, but often they don’t believe He will actually answer them. In their minds, He dangles the answer before them and then jerks it back out of reach just as they attempt to take hold of it. They think this is the way God keeps people on their knees in a humbled position of supplication. But in fact, James 1:5 gives us five guarantees that God does not act like this at all!

As we saw yesterday, God isn’t offended or upset when you ask Him for clarification on the issues you’re facing in life. In fact, He encourages you to come alongside Him and ask for the answers you lack. If you meet this requirement of drawing near to Him, pulling right up alongside His heart, James 1:5 says that God will answer you liberally. He’ll play no games with you once you meet this one condition when you ask.

James wrote that God “…giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” In this verse, we find five guarantees that God makes to those who seek answers to their questions.

1. We are guaranteed that God “giveth.”
2. We are guaranteed that God gives “to all men.”
3. We are guaranteed that God gives “liberally.”
4. We are guaranteed that God “upbraideth not.”
5. We are guaranteed that answers “shall be given” to the one asking.

Let’s look at each one of these five guarantees.

1. James 1:5 guarantees that when we ask for wisdom and we meet God’s condition of drawing close to Him, God will “give” us the answers we are falling short of. The Greek word used for “giveth” is didontos, a form of didomi, which means I give. But in this Greek case, the grammar does not describe the random, occasional act of God, but rather the regular behavior of God. In fact, the entire Greek phrase is tou didontos theou and is literally translated the giving God. Hence, God is not one who holds out on us when we need wisdom or information. He is, in fact, the giving God — one who is reputed for habitually giving answers to those who meet His conditions.
2. James 1:5 guarantees that God gives “to all men.” This removes the uncertainty that God may answer some and not others. If God’s condition has been met — that is, if we have drawn near to His heart and come closely alongside Him — He will answer us, because each of us fits into that phrase “all men”!
3. James 1:5 guarantees that God gives to all men “liberally.” This is the Greek word haplos. It denotes something that is bountiful. It actually portrays one who gives copiously, amply, extravagantly, generously, lavishly, liberally, plentifully, or richly. This is a person who has an open hand, as opposed to one who keeps a closed fist. Hence, God doesn’t dangle the bait before us and then quickly jerk it out of our reach. If we have met His conditions and pulled up alongside His heart, He reaches down with an open hand to give the answer we seek — and He gives us the answer bountifully.
4. James 1:5 guarantees that God “upbraideth not.” This is a translation of the Greek phrase me oneididzontos. The word me is emphatic for not, while the word oneidodzontos is a form of the word oneinidzo, which means to berate, to censure, to correct, to rebuke, or to scorn. In other words, God is not going to get upset with you if you ask Him for answers. He will never berate, censure, correct, rebuke, or scorn you when you come alongside Him to receive wisdom.
5. James 1:5 guarantees that answers “shall be given” to the one who is seeking them and who has fulfilled God’s conditions. The Greek tense used for “shall be given” makes this verse a promise. Even if you don’t know the answer right now, the answer that you seek will be given to you!

James 1:5 conveys this idea in the Greek:

“If you are short on the answers you need, insistently ask God for them. But God first requests that you come alongside Him. That is the one request He makes before He will provide the answers you seek Him for. God is the giving God. He is known for habitually answering those who seek answers from Him, and when He answers, He does so lavishly and with an open hand. He never berates, scolds, or scorns you for asking. One thing is for sure — answers will be given to you when you ask God’s way!”

Remember, God isn’t offended when you ask Him for clarification. He encourages you to ask! When He answers, you may not enjoy what He has to tell you, or you may not be mature enough to really understand it yet. But one thing is very clear: God likes it when you ask Him for His wisdom! So as you draw near to Him and ask in faith today, you better get ready to receive a bountiful, liberal, extravagant dose of divine insight and guidance for the path right up ahead!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

According to James 1:5, I should ask God for the answers I need for my life. So in agreement with this verse, today I’m asking for Your wisdom and guidance in every area of my life. Father, in Jesus’ name, I specifically ask You for answers. to my questions involving        (fill in the blank) I receive Your grace to understand what You’re saying to me and to accept and apply Your wisdom to my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that God has thrown open the doors and has invited me to come boldly to ask Him for the wisdom and answers I need for my life. There is no need for me to be embarrassed or to fear that God will get upset with me for asking. He wants me to be informed, and He asks me to ask! So today I ask in faith and I declare that I receive answers to the questions I have posed to the Lord!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. When you’ve prayed in the past, were you able to come boldly and unashamedly to God, or did you feel too unworthy to approach Him like that? Did you wonder if you’d be reprimanded for getting too specific in asking for the answers you needed?
2. Can you recall a time when you asked God for a specific, concrete answer, and He gave it to you? How did it affect you when you realized that God really answered you with the wisdom you needed for that moment?
3. What do you need to know from the Lord right now? Have you gone to Him in prayer and confidently asked Him to direct you? Why don’t you make a list of things you need to know from the Lord and officially present it to Him in Jesus’ name?

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
— James 1:5

When our sons were younger, I often asked them to take on certain chores or responsibilities that they didn’t really want to do. Nonetheless, I expected them to obey me. However, I was never offended if they asked me why I wanted them to do those things.

Whether or not I could answer my sons to their satisfaction — or whether or not they were sufficiently experienced in life to understand the reason behind my request — I still expected them to trust me enough to obey what I’d asked of them. They knew that I loved them and that I had more years of experience than they did, and that knowledge warranted their complete trust in me. My children understood as they were growing up that I’d only demand of them what I knew was ultimately good for them. Their close relationship with me caused them to know that they could trust me implicitly, even when they didn’t understand what I was telling them.

Likewise, God is never offended when you ask Him for an explanation. You may not understand His answer; you may not like it; or you may not be mature enough to understand it. But as your Father, He is not offended by your asking for clarification. This is why James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God….”

The word “if ” assumes that there are times when you need an answer from God. The word “lacks” is a form of the Greek word leipo and describes a deficiency. In the Old Testament Septuagint, it describes possessing something only in a measure — which, of course, means you were lacking the rest. Maybe you possessed a little bit of something, but it was just a remnant of what you really needed.

Later this word leipo came to depict a deficit, insufficiency, shortage, or undersupply. As used in James 1:5, it meant to be without, to have want of, to be in need of, to be lacking, to be short of, to be low on, to not have enough of, or something that exists in an insufficient amount. All of these meanings correctly convey the idea in the Greek text. But for our purposes, we will say it could be interpreted, “If you are short on wisdom…” or “If you find yourself to be lacking wisdom.…”

But what did James mean by “wisdom”? The word “wisdom” is a form of the Greek word sophos, which describes special insight or special understanding. Hence, this verse could be interpreted, “If anyone among you lacks special understanding [regarding an issue].…” This word denoted special insight and understanding that could be worked out in real-life practice. It was an answer, an insight, or an enlightenment that had some type of practical application. Thus, the verse could be interpreted to mean: “If any of you are short on knowing what to do…”; “If any one of you is experiencing a deficit regarding what action to take…”; or “If any one of you is in need of special answers regarding what to do.…”

Next, James told us what to do. He wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask.…” The word “ask” is from the Greek word aiteo, a word that primarily means to be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money, and so forth. Additionally, it expresses the idea that one can possess a full expectation to receive what has been firmly requested.

This means you shouldn’t go to God only for spiritual blessings. The use of the word aiteo tells us that most questions about which you seek His wisdom will involve practical answers as well as spiritual — pertaining to tangible needs such as food, shelter, money, etc.

But God gives us one condition that we must fulfill before He will answer our petitions for wisdom. Verse 5 continues, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.…” The word “of ” in Greek is para, which means close, side by side, or alongside. As used in this verse, this word provides the condition we must meet in order for God to answer us. To qualify for God’s answer, we must be in a close, side-by-side position with Him.

God our Father truly desires to clearly and abundantly answer our questions. He will not refrain from answering us — as long as we get in the right position to ask Him. You see, God doesn’t want to just answer our request for wisdom. He wants us to come alongside Him, close to His heart. In that position, He will not only answer us, but He will embrace us, cleanse us, and change us.

Hence, the Father first beckons us to draw as near to Him as possible. Then once we are in that close, side-by-side position, God opens His hand to show us the wisdom we lack and are seeking to gain.

Think of it! You are just a prayer away from assuming that close, side-by-side position with God!

With these thoughts in mind, we can read this verse as follows:

“If you are short on answers you need, ask God to give you those answers. But the one request He makes first before He will provide the answers you are asking Him for is that you come alongside Him….”

Tomorrow I will show you what God promises will happen when you put yourself in that close, side-by-side position alongside Him. But for today, I want you to see the point that if you are experiencing a shortfall of wisdom, God invites you to ask Him for insight. Your asking for an explanation does not offend God. In fact, in James 1:5, He encourages you to ask!

When God answers, you may not enjoy what He tells you or you may not be mature enough to truly understand it, but one thing is clear: He wants you to ask for clarification if you need it. So draw near to the Lord, and ask Him for the wisdom you lack. He is utterly faithful to His promises — and He promises that He will give you what you ask for, liberally and without reproach!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, You said if any man lacks wisdom, he is to ask of You, and wisdom will be granted liberally. I thank You for Your willingness to give me answers, understanding, and clarification about my life and the situations I am facing right now. If I don’t enjoy the answer or have the maturity to completely understand, I ask You for the grace to obey You regardless, as I know that You only have the best in mind for me and my family.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God is not offended by my questions for explanation and clarification. He invites me – and even encourages me – to seek Him for answers. Whenever I am in need of understanding about what He is asking me to do. I declare that I know the Voice of the Holy Spirit and that He will not led me astray or misguide me. I can trust what He tells me, even if I don’t fully understand it. God has the best in mind for me; so regardless of how He answers, I will accept it and trust Him to be Lord and God of my life.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time that you lacked wisdom about a specific issue, and when you asked God for an explanation, He answered you? Or can you think of a time that He answered you, but you didn’t like the answer or weren’t mature enough to understand it?
2. What issues in your life are you facing right now in which you really need some clarification or guidance from the Lord? Have you asked Him for wisdom, and do you firmly believe you’re going to receive what you asked of Him?
3. If drawing near to the Lord is His condition you must meet before He answers you, can you say that you meet His requirement? Are you staying close to His heart, or are you living far from the heart of God?

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you….
— 2 Thessalonians 2:13

One day Denise and I were talking about different things we had survived throughout our many years of ministry together. It started out as a positive conversation, but before I realized what was happening, I had slipped into thinking of all the people who had wronged us over the years. Soon I felt myself sinking mentally and emotionally into the sticky mire of those negative thoughts.

Finally, I realized my thoughts were going in the wrong direction and swiftly put on the brakes. I shifted into reverse to get out of that mode of thinking and began to mentally compile a list of everyone who had been a blessing to us over the years. The number of individuals who had been a blessing to us was so long that I couldn’t stop listing them! In comparison, the sheer number of these blessed connections swallowed the names of those who had become negative memories in our lives.

One brother’s name in particular literally made me smile. Just the mention of his name put a smile on my face. I decided I would say his name to several other people who knew him to see how his name affected them — and every person, without exception, smiled when I mentioned his name. I thought, What a blessing that the mere mention of a person’s name would make people smile!

This must have been how Paul felt about the Thessalonian believers, because when he wrote to them, he said, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

The word “bound” is the Greek word opheilo, which describes an obligation. Whenever Paul began to ponder the great things God had done in the lives of the Thessalonian congregation, he felt obligated to stop what he was doing and give thanks to God for that group of believers. The mere thought of the Thessalonians put a smile on his face! They had been such a blessing to Paul that he literally felt an obligation to stop whatever he was doing to thank God for them.

Likewise, we, too, must learn to stop and thank God for what He has done in the lives of those around us — especially those who have been a blessing to us and who cause us to smile at the mere thought of them! We have an obligation to stop and remember all that God has done and to give Him thanks.

The phrase “to give thanks” in this verse is the Greek word eucharistos. The first part of the word is eu. This word means good and implies a good feeling or a pleasant, inner warmth. The second word is charis, which is the Greek word for grace. By compounding these two words, Paul revealed that when he thought of the Thessalonians, the feelings he had for them were so rich, warm, pleasant, and gratifying that thanksgiving flowed effortlessly out of his heart like a river of divine grace. Thanking God for these believers wasn’t hard for Paul; on the contrary, restraining his thanksgiving for them would have been much more difficult. It was easy for Paul to thank God for this particular group of believers.

The word “always” is the Greek word pantote. In this context, it means every time we think of you or at each and every opportunity. Paul’s memory of the Thessalonians was so sweet that whenever he thought of them, thanksgiving arose in his heart.

This part of Second Thessalonians 2:13 could be interpreted to mean:

“Every time we think about you, thanksgiving floods out of our hearts! We are so overwhelmed with thanksgiving that we actually feel obligated to stop whatever we are doing to take a few minutes to express to God how much we appreciate you.…”

I don’t know if you’ve ever slipped into the mode of remembering everyone who has ever done something wrong to you. If you have, you know what a negative experience that can be. But today I want to urge you to do the opposite — make a list of those who have been a blessing in your life! I believe you’ll find that your heart begins to overflow with thanksgiving to the Lord, just as was true for the apostle Paul concerning the Thessalonians. The mere thought of certain people He has brought into your life to bless you will probably put a big smile on your face!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I want to say thank You for the people who are so faithful, kind, and encouraging that the mere mention of their names makes me want to smile. I am grateful for such people. Forgive me for focusing on the negative experiences I’ve had with people when the actual list of people who have been a blessing to me is so large. I ask You to help me remember those who put a smile on my face when I am attacked, hurt, or offended by others. Help me quickly remember that bad experiences with people are in the minor category, and that most people have been a blessing to me. As I make a list of those who have been true blessings in my life, show me how to express my gratitude to You and to them for the blessing they have been in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly and easily declare that my life has been blessed with people who have loved me, cared for me, and have been a blessing to me. When I am tempted to drag up the names and memories of those who have hurt me in some way, I will refuse to dwell on those memories but will put on the brakes and act in reverse, compiling a list of the people who have been a blessing. The truth is, there are more who have been for me than those who have been against me. When I think of all the longstanding relationships with people who have loved and forgiven me in spite of myself and are still being kind to me even today, it would be ungrateful for me to dwell on negative people. So with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am reversing my mental focus! I’m going to thank God for the people He has used to put a smile on my face.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever made a list of people who have been a blessing to you over the course of your lifetime? It may be easier for you to think of people who have wronged you, since human nature has an easier time remembering negative experiences. But why don’t you set aside some time to write down the names of those people who have been a blessing to you? I think you’ll be surprised to see how long your list becomes!
2. Do certain individuals come to mind when you ask yourself who always put a smile on your face? Have you ever stopped to tell them what they mean to you? Put yourself in their shoes, and think how much it would mean to you if someone told you how much you had been a blessing to him or her. It doesn’t take long to write a note, make a call, or send a text message. Why not do this for someone today?
3. Are you the kind of person that the mere mention of your name or the mere thought of you makes someone else want to smile? Does the thought of you uplift others and put a smile on their faces, or does your name evoke a sense of heaviness and negative memories? If the answer is the latter, what areas might need to change in your behavior to reverse that negative testimony with other people?

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
— 1 Corinthians 2:4,5

When Paul first came to the city of Corinth, it was in the wake of his experience in the illustrious Greek city of Athens. During his stint in Athens, he had marvelously presented the Gospel message, yet his teaching did not produce outstanding results. As Paul left Athens and began traveling toward Corinth — a city rife with demonic activity and wholly given over to idolatry and extreme sexual perversion — he must have pondered his performance in Athens. He probably thought about what he had done right, what he done wrong, and why his results weren’t as outstanding there as they had been in other cities.

However, when you study Paul’s ministry in the cities where he had his most dramatic results, you find that he did something in those places that he did not do in Athens. In Athens, he labored to preach a brilliant, intellectual, culturally relevant message to the Greek judges on Mars Hill. But when you look at how he ministered in other cities, you find that in addition to preaching brilliant messages, he also demonstrated the miraculous power of God. That demonstration of God’s power was very important in pagan communities where the occult was pervasive and supernatural manifestations were commonplace. For example:

•  

• In Acts 13:6-12, Paul had a face-to-face confrontation with a local sorcerer. The power that Paul demonstrated as he rebuked this sorcerer was so dramatic that city authorities were stunned. Verse 12 tells us, “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed….” This demonstration of God’s power threw open the door for the Gospel in this region.

• In Acts 14:8-18, Paul again demonstrated supernatural power. Seeing a crippled man who had never walked in his life, Paul told him, “Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked” (v. 10). This event had such great impact that verse 11 says, “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” As a consequence of this wonderful miracle, people turned their attention to the Gospel message with outstanding results.
• In Acts 16:16-18, Paul encountered “a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination.” After this girl harassed Paul and his associates for a number of days, Paul turned to her and addressed the spirit of divination. In verse 18, he said, “…I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he [the spirit of divination] came out the same hour.” When the demon exited that damsel, it created such a mighty stir with the local people that the apostolic team was thrown into prison for doing damage to the fortune-telling business of the city. That night Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs when another act of power occurred. Acts 16:26 says, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” This act of power was so colossal in its impact that the keeper of the prison cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30). These combined acts of power led to the salvation of this man’s family. History tells us this keeper of the prison eventually became of one of the chief leaders in the church of Philippi.

• In Acts 19, when Paul found himself in the midst of Ephesus — the world center of Artemis worship and a city filled to the brim with demonic supernatural activity — it was a moment when a demonstration of God’s power was desperately needed. Acts 19:11,12 tells us that in Ephesus, “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” When the Ephesians saw this demonstration of power, verses 18 and 19 tell us that “…many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts [occult activities] brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” As a result of these combined manifestations of God’s power, verse 20 tells us, “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

• In Acts 28:6, Paul was shipwrecked on an island that was filled with barbarians. When he was helping the shipwrecked sailors gather wood to build a fire, a venomous snake latched hold of Paul’s hand. Instead of dying from the bite, he simply shook it into the fire with no physical harm to himself. When the local barbaric people saw the snakebite had no effect, they were so taken aback that they said he was a god. Because of this miraculous event, the door to this island was thrown wide open for Paul to boldly preach the Gospel to them! When Publius, the chief man of the island, saw that his own father was critically ill, he knew whom to call for help! He called upon Paul to come pray for his father, and Acts 28:8 says, “And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.” Because of this miraculous demonstration of power, verse 9 says, “So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed.”

When Paul came into new and dark territories to bring the light of the Gospel, the book of Acts shows us that he repeatedly came with a demonstration of God’s power that had a powerful effect upon his audience.

Is it possible that in Athens Paul was so gripped with the need to present the Gospel in an intellectual, culturally relevant way to the judges on Mars Hill that he overlooked the need to accompany his message with a demonstration of the power of God as he had done in so many other cities? Did he become mesmerized by the intellectual tone of the environment and leave the Holy Spirit and the power of God out of the equation of his preaching and teaching?

Because Athens was a world center of idolatry, it was overflowing with demonic, supernatural activity, and if a demonstration of God’s power was needed anywhere, it was certainly in the city of Athens. Just for a moment, ponder what could have happened if Paul had allowed the gifts of the Spirit to operate in front of those judges so they witnessed phenomenal manifestations of God’s power far superior to anything they had ever seen in their pagan temples? Is it possible that such a demonstration of power may have shaken those listening judges and that the results that day would have been different?

It seems that as Paul approached the city of Corinth, he was reviewing his performance in Athens. By his own testimony in First Corinthians 2:1, he wrote, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.” In Athens, he had brilliantly used “words of man’s wisdom” as he quoted their poets and their Greek philosophers — a message that, no doubt, could be included in the most exceptional messages ever recorded.

But when Paul later recalled his first ministry in the city of Corinth, he said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5).

It is clear from his own testimony that when Paul preached the powerful message of the Gospel to the Corinthians, he had determined to go one step further than simply preaching an intellectually and culturally relevant sermon. This time he had made up his mind to also come with the “demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” as he had done so many times in other pagan cities where he was the first person to penetrate the darkness with the preaching of the Gospel.

The word “demonstration” is translated from the Greek word apodeixsis, and it means to display, to show off, or to demonstrate. Paul knew that to reach the pagans in Corinth, it would require a demonstration of power so outstanding that it would convince the unbelieving audience that his preaching was more than mere words — it was a message backed up by Almighty God Himself! He knew it would take an awe-inspiring demonstration of power to get their attention and to persuade them that his Gospel message was true. Thus, Paul started his ministry in Corinth not only with words, but also with a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

The word “power” is dunamis. This Greek word and its various forms are used 119 times in the New Testament, and it denotes the mighty power of God. As used in this verse, the word denotes not merely power, but tremendous power. In fact, the word dunamis is where we get the word dynamite. I believe this is an important fact to point out, for the word dynamite — denoting an explosive power — very well expresses the type of power Paul is describing in this verse. This word dunamis denotes God’s supernatural power, which when released on a human level, is explosive, mighty, and awe-inspiring to those who see it or experience it.

An interpretive translation of these words in First Corinthians 2:4 and 5 could be taken to mean:

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but I came with a display of power so outstanding that it really showed off the power of God.”

There is no concrete record in the book of Acts about Paul’s earliest preaching in Corinth. But from his own memory recorded in First Corinthians 2:4 and 5, we know that Paul’s objective was to bring such a mighty display of power with his preaching that the unbelieving Corinthians would be taken aback by the power of God and forever changed.

I feel compelled to ask you: What kind of power do you demonstrate with your life and your message as you share Christ with your friends, family, or acquaintances?

So often we preach the right words to people, but they are constantly hearing words — words from other people, from all forms of media — television, Internet, advertisements — and from all kinds of other sources. This constant stream of words that is trying to get people’s attention or to lure them to spend money or to make some kind of decision. People are inundated with words and messages in our world today.

But when they are confronted with a bona fide manifestation of God’s power so outstanding that they cannot debate its reality, they are forever impacted and changed by it. Certainly we must be wise in the way we preach and present the Gospel, but we must never forget the importance of preaching the Gospel with a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Nothing impacts an unbelieving crowd more than the power of God! The need for divine power is just as important today as it was 2,000 years ago when Paul wrote these words to the Corinthians believers.

After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, what do you need to do differently in the way that you present Christ to people who are lost and unsaved? Are you making room for God’s power to operate and show off in front of the unsaved or unbelieving? Today I want to encourage you to open your heart to the possibility that God may want to demonstrate His power to those people you are trying to reach.

Instead of relying only on your own careful selection of words, why don’t you start seeking the Lord with greater fervency than ever before for His divine power and articulation as you present the Gospel to people who are in darkness? The impact of His words spoken with His power behind them through your mouth will leave your listeners inwardly reeling — and those words will hang in the air and rest in their hearts, not to be easily forgotten by them.

Remember, Romans 1:16 says that the Gospel is the power of God, and I assure you that He is just as willing today to back up His Word with a supernatural display of power as He was 2,000 years ago!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I ask You to help me surrender myself to the power and working of the Holy Spirit as I present the Gospel to people in darkness. Yes, I need to speak the right words and to speak it in a way that is relevant to those who are listening to me, but I also need to come with a demonstration of the power of God. Holy Spirit, I am looking to You to help me find the right words, to empower me and flow through me, and to do Your mighty work as I share Christ with people who are lost and in darkness. Today I ask You to release Your great power through me and to help me surrender when it’s time to allow that power to operate!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am an instrument through which the power of the Holy Spirit can flow to touch other people. I am not afraid of the power of God, nor do I hinder the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. When it is time for God to show up in all of His marvelous supernatural ability, I move out of the way and make room so that God can do exactly what He wants to do. Rather than hinder or thwart the power of God, I am a facilitator that creates environments and provides time for God to show up and show off so that people will see and know His mighty strength!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time when you seemed to have said all the right words, but because you didn’t allow the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power to operate in conjunction with your message, the results weren’t so outstanding?
2. Can you think of a time when you did allow the Holy Spirit to move, and you watched in amazement as people’s hearts were softened and touched — and afterward they wanted to know more about the Lord?
3. What are you going to do differently when you present the Gospel to lost people as a result of today’s Sparkling Gem? Is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, providing you with direction? If so, what is He saying to you?

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
— 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Often I am invited to attend meetings with other ministers in Moscow who gather to discuss spiritual leadership issues. These meetings take place in a different location each time in order to maintain a sense of neutrality, and they are often held in places that are completely unknown to me. In fact, trying to find the exact meeting room for these events can be difficult because the buildings are often expansive and the layouts unfamiliar.

Because of this potential difficulty, individuals are appointed to help guide leaders like me to the new meeting room. They meet each of us outside where our cars drop us off, and they escort us to the room where the event is to be held. If these individuals were not present to help us find the meeting room, we would all eventually find our way to the place where we were supposed to be, but the experience would take longer and potentially create needless confusion. Believe me when I tell you that we all greatly appreciate the service that these people graciously provide as they escort us right to where we need to be so expeditiously.

Similarly, Paul taught that the Lord Himself wants to be our Escort to lead us directly into the love of God with no distractions along the way. In Second Thessalonians 3:5, he wrote, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God….”

Today I want you to particularly notice the word “direct” in this verse, as it reveals so much about God’s great desire to guide us directly into His divine love. The word “direct” is translated from the Greek word kateuthuno, which is a compound of the words kata and euthus. The word kata gives a sense of force or direction, and the word euthus describes a straight path as opposed to a path that is wandering or a route that is indirect. Although an indirect route may eventually get you to the same location, it takes longer; it involves unnecessary expense of energy; and it is more time-consuming. A direct path will get you to your destination more quickly and less expensively, and you will expend less energy. However, if you’ve never made the journey before, finding the shortest route may be difficult unless you have a guide who will direct and escort you along the way.

This leads us back to Paul’s teaching in Second Thessalonians 3:5, where he wrote, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.…” The word “hearts” is the Greek word kardias, the plural form of kardia, which describes the heart. Although this word was sometimes used to denote the heart as a physical organ, it was regularly employed throughout the Old Testament, Classical Greek literature, and the New Testament to describe emotions, instincts, and passions. In Second Thessalonians 3:5, Paul used it to portray the inner aspects of a person’s life — intellectually, psychologically, and spiritually. Paul was literally praying for a person’s inner being to be directed into the love of God, as opposed to contrary paths that would lead elsewhere.

Furthermore, because the Greek word translated “direct” (kateuthuno) in this verse begins with the prefix kata, we see that God does more than merely guide and escort us. He wants to meet us and lead us so our hearts don’t wander aimlessly on the way to completion in His love. In the context of Second Thessalonians 3:5, it tells us that God Himself wants to put us on a straight path and steer us right into His love. In fact, the word steer is exactly how the word kateuthuno (“direct”) could be translated in James 3:4. God doesn’t want us to waste time and energy or to take too long to get into His love. He wants to steer us right into His love. The Lord desires to put us on a straight path and be our personal Guide, escorting us into His love with no distractions or unneeded detours along the way.

An interpretative translation of the first part of Second Thessalonians 3:5 could read:

“May the Lord steer your hearts and put you on the path that leads you directly into divine love itself. We pray that you encounter no rough roads on this journey but rather that your heart reaches its ultimate destination — the love of God.”

As you grow in your relationship with God, remember that He wants to meet you and escort you along every step of the journey. He doesn’t just say, “Here is what I want for you — now figure out how to get there by yourself.” God wants to step in front of you and lead you! If you’ll listen, you’ll hear Him say, “I’m here to lead you, so follow Me, and I’ll lead your heart to the place where I want you to be — right into the center of My love!”

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

I prayerfully admit that so often I have tried to figure out my route in life on my own, even though God has desired to lead me each step of the way. My heart moves out of peace when I struggle to figure out what steps to take, which way to go, or what to do. Since the Holy Spirit wants to be my Guide to personally escort me into His perfect plan for my life, I surrender to His leadership today and yield to Him as my Escort. Father, thank You for meeting me where I am and leading my heart on the most direct route into Your plan and Your love.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

Today I declare that I am sensitive to the leadership of the Lord in my life; therefore, I no longer wander aimlessly about as I attempt to fulfill God’s will for my life. I want to do God’s will, and He wants to lead me so I can get into the center of His plan more quickly, less expensively, and without wasting needless energy. Instead of trying to figure it all out by myself, I will heed God’s Word; I will carefully listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit; and I will let the Lord be my personal Guide to escort me along the path of His love and into His plan for my life.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time when God wanted to lead you on a short route to His destination, but you didn’t listen? Did it end up costing you more time and energy than was necessary for you to get into His will for your life?
2. How do you know when God is leading you? What are the signals you sense when the Holy Spirit is saying, “Follow Me, and I’ll get you there more quickly and less expensively?” Could you describe to someone else what it’s like for the Lord to lead you on a straight path?
3. Can you remember a moment when you didn’t listen to the leading of the Lord and ended up way off-track? What did it cost you? How would things have been different if you had listened? What did you learn from that experience that you would want someone else to learn so he or she could avoid your mistakes?

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, And began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
— Matthew 26:37-39

When God asks you to strike out into uncharted territory and accomplish something new and difficult, it can be challenging to bring your will into compliance with what He is asking you to do. Your mind will try to argue as if it knows best, and your flesh will try to drag its feet every step of the way. In these moments, you are faced with a defining moment in your life when you must place your trust in God’s plan for your life and obey Him unconditionally.

I know this struggle intimately from experiences in my own life. When God first asked our family to move to the USSR, I knew He had something truly wonderful in store for us, but my flesh didn’t relish the idea. Each night as I lay in bed, my mind would bombard me with a stream of negative thoughts of doubt and unbelief. My flesh would tell me, Rick, this is the stupidest thing you could ever do in your life. If you really go through with this absurd notion, you will lose everything you have and never recover. I remember asking God, “Are You really asking me to do this?”

At the time God called our family to the Soviet Union, our ministry in the United States was growing by leaps and bounds, and we were finally experiencing stability and success after many years of sacrifice. However, as good as our lives seemed at the time, God had something far bigger and more wonderful planned for our ministry, so He asked us to lay down our dream and trust in Him. As we entered this new, unfamiliar phase, we didn’t understand His full design, but we chose to defer to His voice and trust that He knew what He was doing with our lives. And because we placed our trust in His divine plan and obeyed His call to move, our ministry exploded in ways that we could never have dreamed!

If you haven’t yet run into one of these moments in your life, there will come a time in your future when you’ll have to step out and do what God is saying, even though you don’t relish the idea of what He is asking you to do. In that moment, it is vital that you follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so He can lead you into new realms of wonder and possibility.

In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus Himself faced one of those moments in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:37 and 38 relates, “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” This verse reveals what took place as Jesus faced the horror of the Cross and all that He would have to endure in the atonement of mankind’s sin. The reality of what the Father was asking Him to do was being brought to bear on Jesus, and it says He “…began to be sorrowful and very heavy” (v. 37). This word “sorrowful” is derived from the Greek word lupeo, which denotes physical pain or emotional suffering. It can also be translated as broken-hearted, in despair, displeasure, downcast, grief, mournful, in pain, sorrowful, or wounded. It describes the intense grief of someone who has been wounded emotionally by a person or a situation.

Furthermore, the phrase “very heavy” in Matthew 26:37 is a translation of the Greek word ademoneo, which depicts anguish, depression, or dejection. The word “sorrowful” and the phrase “very heavy” are each sufficient on their own to convey the deep emotions Jesus was feeling in this moment of anguish. However, because they are used together, it is unmistakably clear that Jesus was tempted to be overwhelmed by the unimaginably hellish ordeal He was about to face. Although He had always known that the Cross was an integral part of His destiny on earth, it appears that the reality of His assignment weighed heavily upon His mind and body, and He was tempted to sway under the weight of it all.

In the following verse, Matthew wrote, “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). The word “soul” is the Greek word psyche, which denotes the inner life, mental makeup, or emotions of an individual. The phrase “exceedingly sorrowful” is a translation of the Greek word perilupeo, which is a compound of the words peri and lupeo. The word peri means around or to be surrounded, and lupeo is the same word we saw above that describes intense grief. When they are compounded in the context of this verse to form the word perilupeo, it tells us that Jesus was feeling nearly emotionally suffocated with despair as He faced the painful reality of God’s plan for Him.

Then Matthew 26:39 continues, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face….” The stress and pressure Jesus was under was so heavy that He was able to go only “a little further” before He collapsed and “fell on his face.” The force of the Greek language here indicates that Jesus literally collapsed under the weight of what He was experiencing. And as He fell, He fervently prayed, “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (v. 39).

However, in this intense moment as Jesus’ soul was bombarded with mental and emotional anguish, He did not succumb to the will of His flesh. Rather, Jesus pushed through to embrace the will of God that He knew was His divine destiny. He surrendered and complied with the path the Father had set before Him, saying, “…Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Jesus was resolved to do the Father’s will rather than seek a way out of the situation.

The Father’s plan for Jesus included His trials before the Sanhedrin, Herod Antipas, and Pontus Pilate, as well as Jesus being mocked, spit upon, scourged, and crucified. Although Jesus knew that the Father was faithful to Him and a glorious resurrection shortly awaited Him, this was the defining moment in His earthly life when trust and obedience were required in a measure greater than ever before. He had to “commit himself ” to God and trust that His Heavenly Father would raise Him from the dead and deliver Him from the unspeakable horrors of spiritual darkness. Jesus could have rejected God’s plan at this point, but He chose instead to bring His mind into compliance with the will of God. As a result of His obedience, He brought salvation to mankind through His sacrifice, and He was raised from the dead to sit at the Father’s right hand as the Head of the Church and our eternal High Priest.

If Jesus Himself agonized over doing the will of the Father, then it should come as no surprise that we will wrestle with God’s plan for our lives from time to time. Like Jesus, we must choose to push aside our reservations and commit to doing whatever God asks of us. We must learn to trust and obey.

If you follow your Heavenly Father’s plan, you’ll overcome any obstacle that tries to trip you up, and you’ll find yourself seated in a place of victory that you will never regret. It may be uncomfortable right now, but those emotions and struggles are temporary. They will pass, and when it’s all said and done, you will be glad that you came into compliance with the will of God!

As I look back at the moment when God asked me to move my family to the former USSR, I have no regrets. It was hard for my soul at the moment, but the victories won over many years make it clear that God only had good plans in store for us, even though it was difficult to understand that when it all began. Likewise, God has a good plan in store for you. He simply needs your compliance, trust, and obedience.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I ask You to help me push beyond my inward struggles concerning what You are asking me to do. Your requests have exposed my need to come up higher in my level of trust. This has revealed an area where I need to grow spiritually. Learning where I need to improve is good for me, so I thank You for leading me to this place where You can show me where I need to change and grow. Just as Jesus surrendered to Your will, I place my trust in You, and I will comply with Your plan regardless of how difficult it may be for me to understand in the moment. With the help of Your Spirit, I will trust and obey.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God is faithful. If He is asking me to do something I don’t completely understand, I can trust Him to have my best interest at heart. I don’t need to be fearful of what He is telling me to do. I refuse to let my emotions get the best of me, and I choose to follow God’s will for my life. I declare that I will not shrink back from the assignment God has given me, and I am determined that I will comply with His plan for my life!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of an area of your life where God is asking you to comply with His plan and you’re having a tough time obeying? What is that area, and what is specifically making it difficult for you to comply?
2. Do you know someone today who is struggling to do the will of God? What can you do to encourage that person? What personal experience of obeying God can you share in order to provoke that person to follow God’s plan for his or her life?
3. What stands out in your mind regarding what you just read in this Sparkling Gem? What did you learn about Jesus and His time in the Garden of Gethsemane that you’ve never considered before?

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
— Colossians 1:28

After reading a book on the subject of church leadership and the need for every organization to have a “purpose statement,” I realized that the purpose statement for our church and ministry was too long for anyone to remember it, and it was certainly too long to be able to repeat it to someone else. So I started praying for a short, concise way to state the purpose of our ministry.

After a lot of prayer, my heart kept going back to the simple statement the apostle Paul made in Colossians 1:28, a verse that has been the theme of our ministry since its earliest inception and remains the purpose of our ministry after decades of service. However, I had never thought of a way to present it to people as a purpose statement until I was challenged by that book. Colossians 1:28 speaks of Christ’s glorious presence in each of us and of our need to declare truth in various ways to others with the ultimate goal of presenting every person perfect in Christ. It says, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

I can emphatically say that our ministry has always been, is, and will always be a preaching, warning, and teaching ministry — just as Paul described in Colossians 1:28. And like Paul, we have an audience of “every man.” The word “every” is the Greek word panta, an all-encompassing word that embraces all people with no exceptions. To the lost, we preach. To those who are saved, we warn and teach. But Paul said the ultimate goal is to present every man perfect in Christ. “Perfect” sounds very hard to attain, if not almost unreachable, so what was Paul really referring to when he spoke of presenting people “perfect” in Christ?

The word “perfect” in this verse is the Greek word telios. Paul used this word only five times in the New Testament — each time to describe full-grown adults (see 1 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; and Colossians 1:28). It describes how, as a person develops, he or she transitions from being youthful and immature to an individual who is full-grown and mature.

In addition, Paul used telios twice (see Romans 12:2; Colossians 4:12) to denote spiritually mature individuals who are living in accordance with the will of God. For this reason, the more recent translation of The Amplified Bible states, “…that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ….” Thus, we see the word “perfect” that Paul referred to in Colossians 1:28 as one who is spiritually mature and endeavoring to live out his or her life in accordance to God’s perfect will.

In the context of discerning our ministry purpose, this verse gives very clear direction. It tells us that we are not called just to win masses to Christ and then leave them behind as spiritual infants. Rather, our God-given task is to help people walk out of immaturity while leading them onward into spiritual maturity. Bringing people up to this level of maturity is an undertaking so huge that Paul acknowledged it could only be done with the power of God. He said, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29).

The word “labour” in Colossians 1:29 is the Greek word kopos, which describes the most physically and mentally exhausting type of labor. By using this word, Paul reminded us of the extremely hard work that is required to help a person attain spiritual maturity. According to this, Paul worked very hard to bring people from spiritual infancy into spiritual adulthood. In fact, the next word he chose, the word “striving,” drives this point home. It comes from the Greek word agonidzo, from which we get the word agony.

The use of these two words “labour” (kopos) and “striving” (agonidzo) tells us that the task of helping individuals move from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood requires focus, effort, and hard work — and that it can often be as agonizing as raising a natural child to become a level-headed adult. And we’re not just spiritually raising one person, but many people at one time. This would be humanly impossible if it were not for “his working,” which, as Paul said, works in us mightily.

The word “working” here is the Greek word energeo, which, of course, is where we get the word for energy. Furthermore, the word “mightily” is the word dunamis, which Paul used to describe Christ’s divine ability that resides in each true believer. So Paul was acknowledging that it is only possible to present every man “perfect” in Christ because of His divine, supernatural energy that works mightily in us. We are insufficient in ourselves for such a task. We can only accomplish it because of the infusion of Christ’s mighty dunamis power that works in us. Hence, the task of helping someone grow from spiritual infancy into spiritual adulthood is a supernatural feat that can only be accomplished in cooperation with Christ’s mighty power that works in us and through us.

If you feel that you have failed to stick it out to the end with the individuals you’ve been called to help mature, take heart! Yield to the Holy Spirit’s presence in your heart, for you are only up to the task if the Holy Spirit’s power is working in you and through you. And should you be looking for a purpose statement for your church, your ministry, or your personal walk with God, consider Colossians 1:28: “…that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus….”

As believers, this should always be our purpose. We must not only win people to Jesus but also disciple them to maturity so they can live the balance of their lives as fully grown spiritual adults who live to do the will of God.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I have long sought a purpose statement for my life. Today I align myself with the purpose that the apostle Paul wrote of in Colossians 1:28. I ask You to help me know with whom to share the Gospel, how to warn other believers who need to be warned, what ways I should teach believers, and how to let the power of the Holy Spirit flow through me. Shape me into an instrument to help bring other Christians to a place of spiritual maturity to do the will of God. I can do this consistently only if Your power is released consistently in me, so today I yield to the power of the Holy Spirit and commit myself to this great endeavor.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that God uses me to preach Christ to the lost, to warn and teach believers the truths of God’s Word, and to help bring others into spiritual adulthood where they are no longer tossed to and fro as young spiritual infants. God wants all believers to reach spiritual maturity — including me — and He desires to use me to help others attain it as well. Although this is a huge task, I yield to the power of the Holy Spirit in me according to Colossians 1:28, and the Spirit works with me and through me to fulfill this God-given purpose.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What is the purpose statement for your life? Can you summarize it and easily repeat it to someone else? Do you know it well by memory, and are you able to write it down on a piece of paper?
2. If you know the purpose of your life, what are you doing to fulfill it? Doing what God has asked you to do will require resolve, determination, and supernatural power. Is His power actively flowing through you? Is it time for you to have a new experience with the Holy Spirit so that you are refreshed for the task?
3. Has God used you to help someone grow spiritually? Who is that person? Whom did God use in your life to help you grow spiritually? When you think of the time and effort these individuals spent to help you grow from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood, doesn’t it make you so thankful for them? Why not take the time to call or write these important people in your life and express your gratitude to them today?

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
— 1 Corinthians 4:2

People frequently ask, “How does God choose whom He wants to use?” This is an important question to ask, and one that you should ask if you desire to be used by the Lord. As you look at those whom God uses in a significant way, it will quickly become obvious to you that God doesn’t choose people simply because of raw talent or gifts. So there must be another, higher reason that causes Him to reach out and lay His hand on an individual to use him or her in a special way. What is that reason?

There are several answers to this question. In my book Say Yes, I discuss the reasons why God chooses some people and not others. Certainly God loves everyone, but God is not obligated to use everyone He loves. There are certain qualities that cause God to reach out and use some more than others. You need to know those reasons.

In First Corinthians 4:2, the apostle Paul gave us one answer to this question. Paul stated this so categorically that it seems this quality is at the top of God’s list of requirements for those who will do His work. Paul wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”

I want to draw your attention to the word “faithful” in this verse. This word “faithful” comes from the Greek word pistos, which is derived from the word pistis, the Greek word faith. However, in First Corinthians 4:2, the word pistos doesn’t refer to faith as a spiritual force; rather, it denotes a person who is faithful. This is a person whom God has found to be faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing.

But how does God know if a person is faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing? Paul answered this question when he wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” There is no second-guessing with God about this question. The word “found” emphatically means that God watches us over a long period of time and in many different circumstances to see if we are faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing.

If you were God looking for someone to use in a mighty way, wouldn’t you first watch a person’s character and actions to see if he or she was someone on whom you could depend for a big assignment? Even secular employers inspect employees to see who is trustworthy of a big promotion!

The word “found” is the Greek word eurisko, which means to find or to discover. It is a discov- ery made as a result of careful observance. It tells us that God is carefully watching us to see our actions and reactions. He is watching to see how we treat people, how we respond to pressure, and whether or not we have the tenacity to stay on track when distractions try to thwart our obedience. Before He taps us on the shoulder to give us a new assignment, He carefully observes to see how well we have done with the last assignment. Did we do it as He expected? Did we finish it completely, or did we leave parts of the assignment incomplete? Did we do it in a way that glorified the name of Jesus?

God wants to know if we are faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing. Rather than take a shot in the dark and simply hope for the best, He bases His decision on discovery. That means that God is watching you today. He watches your actions and reactions. He observes how you treat people and how you respond to pressure. He looks to see if you have the tenacity to keep going, even in the face of opposition.

So what has God found about you?

If you were an employer, before you promoted someone into a position of great authority, wouldn’t you watch that person first to see if he or she would be found faithful? Since this is true of humans when they look for someone to oversee short-lived, temporal responsibilities, how much more is this true of God, who entrusts people with matters that impact people’s lives for all eternity? There is nothing more serious than eternal business. That’s why before God promotes someone over greater spiritual matters, He watches to see if they are found faithful.

Once God knows a person can be trusted with more, it isn’t long before a new assignment comes their way. In First Corinthians 4:2, Paul said, “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” As noted in yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, the word “required” is the Greek word zeteo, which means to seek, to search, or to look very intensively for something. It was a legal term to denote a judicial investigation and could even refer to a scientific investigation. It describes an intense and thorough searching. It could be interpreted, “Moreover, God is making a concentrated, exhaustive, and thorough search in pursuit of stewards who are found faithful.”

This means that the people who possess the necessary qualities that God wants in order to use them are not abundant in the Christian community. Faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true, and unfailing people are so rare that God must thoroughly and exhaustively search to find them. But once He finds through observation that a particular believer is committed to do His will and to do it with excellence, God has made a valuable discovery. He has found a faithful person He can depend on to lead and carry out a new and important assignment.

Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of people, and it is very rare to find people who are completely reliable. Most are distracted by other things. They start out with a desire to be faithful, but the affairs of life pull them away. Any pastor could testify of the myriads of people who started projects but didn’t finish them. But when a person is discovered who is faithful, trustworthy, reliable, true, and unfailing in keeping his or her word, it is a rare find — a real gem!

When God looks at you, what does He see? Do all you possibly can do to make it easy for Him to say, “Now, that person is a real treasure whom I can trust with the next big assignment!” Don’t let His answer be, “Not yet!” because you refused to make the necessary changes.

Since God is watching, don’t you agree that it is vital that we take a serious look at ourselves to see what He is finding as He watches what we do, the promises we make, and the seriousness with which we obey Him and His Word? Has God found that He can trust us, or would He be wiser to choose someone else?

So if you want to move into a higher realm of responsibility that holds more exciting and significant assignments in life, do everything you can to be found faithful in what you are doing right now. When God has found you faithful in your present project, you have your best guarantee that a door will soon open for you to step through so you can walk out the dream He placed in your heart.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I admit that I’ve often been slack in the way that I’ve carried out the assignments You have given to me. I haven’t always been diligent in many things You have expected of me, and yet I’ve somehow thought that You would promote me anyway. Now I understand that You are watching and waiting for me to be found faithful. Only then will You be assured that I can be trusted with something bigger than what I am doing right now. Forgive me for my faulty thinking in the past. I ask You to make my thoughts agreeable to Your will, as You create in me both the desire and the ability to do what pleases You. I thank You, Lord, for helping me do Your will Your way. From this moment onward, I will do my best to be faithful at the tasks in my life right now. Even if I don’t relish what I am being asked to do, I will do it with all of my heart until You and I both know that I can be trusted with something bigger and better.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am committed to doing my present job with joy and excellence. I do not com- plain; I do not drag my feet; and I do not behave lazily or half-heartedly. I am completely committed to doing this job with excellence and in a manner that brings praise to the name of Jesus Christ. When God looks at me, He smiles because He sees me giving 100 percent of everything I am to the task of doing this the best that it can be done. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I am a faithful steward over all that God has entrusted to my care and oversight. Because I am completing my assignment with my whole heart and with the highest level of excellence I’m capable of, God finds me faithful and will promote me to a higher level and a bigger assignment.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What is the major assignment God has asked you to deal with in your life right now? Maybe it is a work assignment, a relationship assignment, or an assignment to deal with a specific personal issue in your life. Can you name the most significant assignment God has given you — the one you know He is watching most closely to see how you are doing in completing that assignment?
2. If you were to rate your performance on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best and 1 being the worst), how would you rate your present performance with the main assignment that God is watching in your life? Be honest!
3. Why did you rate yourself the way you did? What are you doing that causes you to think you rate so low or so high? Now ask the Holy Spirit to give you God’s rating of your present performance!

Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
— 1 Corinthians 4:2

When we were growing up, my father often reminded me and my siblings, “As long as you live under my roof, you are going to abide by my rules!”

My parents were wonderful examples and godly leaders in our home. They loved us deeply. However, my father made it very clear who was in charge. We understood that Dad was the head of the home — and, as such, he made the rules. When wills collided and we wanted to do something contrary to his way of doing things, we were reminded that he was the one in charge, not us. Resisting Dad’s rules in one of those moments was like running into a wall of solid concrete. If anyone was going to bend, it wasn’t going to be him — it was going to be us.

I am so thankful for this lesson that my father taught me when I was young. I feel sorry for children today who are not taught to respect authority at home, because they’re not being adequately prepared for the realities of life they will later face. Because they were permitted to bend the rules or, even worse, to manipulate their way around the rules, they will be in for a big shock when they enter the work world and discover that their boss is not going to bend for them or allow their manipulation. If we love our children, we must teach them that living by the rules is a part of life.

Because my father made the rules very plain, we knew what was expected in our home and we knew the kinds of behavior that would never be tolerated. This knowledge created stability and taught responsibility to me and my siblings. I am so thankful that my parents taught us that we must live by the rules. When my own sons were growing up, I told them the same thing my father had told me: “As long as you live in our house, you are going to abide by my rules.” Today as I look at our sons, I can see the great fruit this firmness produced in their lives. They are authority-honoring, law-abiding, responsible men.

Living by the rules is a necessary part of every realm of life. In the natural, it’s true that your habitual violation of the rules will eventually result in negative consequences or punishment. On the other hand, if you abide by the rules, you position yourself for a life of order, stability, and freedom from enforced restriction. In the same way, God has rules — and if you are a son or daughter in His house, He expects you to live by the rules. In fact, if you refuse to abide by His rules, you will probably never be greatly used by God. He looks for the obedient — those who respect Him, honor His Word, and follow His instructions.

Paul told the Corinthians, “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). This verse is filled with lots of important teaching, but today I want us to look carefully at the word “steward,” which is so important to understand if you want God to use you significantly in this life. However, first I want to draw your attention to the word “required.”

The word “required” is actually translated improperly in the King James Version. It is the Greek word zeteo, and it means to seek, to search, or to look very intensively for something. It was used as a legal term to denote a judicial investigation, and it could even refer to a scientific investigation. It denotes an intense and thorough searching for accurate, concrete facts, not a mere surface investigation. The King James Version says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful,” but the Greek could be interpreted, “Moreover, God is making a concentrated, exhaustive, and thorough search in pursuit of stewards who are faithful.”

Because the word zeteo is used, we know that the high caliber of stewards God is seeking is not abundant in His house. Such “stewards” are so uncommon that God must search thoroughly and exhaustively to find those who respect, honor, and abide by the rules of His house. Just consider what it means, then, when God does find the rare treasure called a faithful steward. No wonder “…the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 AMPC)!

Now let’s focus on the word “steward.” This word in Greek is oikonomos, which is a compound of the words oikos and nemoo. The first part of the word, oikos, is the word for a house. It expresses the idea of a real physical residence where a family resides, including the residents, furniture, finances, property, and household items connected to that particular family and home. Because the word oikos is all-inclusive not only of the house, but also of its residents and their possessions, finances, affairs, and everything else in or connected to that particular house — it is often translated household, which correctly conveys the idea of this Greek word.

The second part of the word oikonomos is the word nemoo, which means to dispense or to administrate. It is derived from the word nomos, which is the Greek word for law and refers to anything laid down, ordered, established, or made into law. It depicts standards, norms, or laws that are firmly established, publicly accepted, and categorically expected. These rules are to be respected and followed. Violating such a rule of law would result in penalty.

When the word oikos and nomos are compounded into one word, as in First Corinthians 4:2, the new word formed is oikonomos, which means the rule or management of a house. In the Old Testament Greek Septuagint, the word oikonomos depicted leaders so trusted by the king or state that they were appointed to administrate entire departments or nations. In secular documents of that time, the word oikonomos is translated court officials or palace officials, and it described anyone entrusted with a public office. As public officials, they were to set the supreme example of honoring the law in their private lives, households, and personal affairs.

Over time, the word oikonomos was applied to household stewards. Household stewards were individuals entrusted with managerial responsibility in wealthy homes. It was their job to run the household in an orderly fashion and according to the rules set forth by the owner or to administer the rules of the house. The word “steward” could designate the gatekeeper, the chief concierge, the head janitor, the head cook, or the chief accountant. These were not mere laborers, but directors of departments who had oversight, responsibility, and who were therefore accountable for areas entrusted to their care. Most importantly, they knew, respected, and followed the rules set forth by the one in authority over them, and they made sure others in the household followed the rules as the head of the household expected.

In the New Testament, the word oikonomos appears only ten times. A key example is Romans 16:23, where it is used to describe a brother in Corinth named Erastus. In that verse, Paul referred to a brother he called “Erastus the chamberlain of the city.” For historical purposes, I want to note that a marble slab with an inscription identifying Erastus as the chamberlain of Corinth was discovered buried in the remains of ancient Corinth.

The word “chamberlain” that described this brother and leader in Corinth is the word oikonomos, which clearly tells us that Erastus was the chief administrator of the city. For a Christian to hold such a title in the pagan world of Paul’s time was very rare, but this shows that the Christian influence was beginning to be felt on every level of life. As the chamberlain, manager, or administrator of the city, Erastus was responsible to know the law, live by the law, enforce the law, and apply the law to others. If you take this meaning into First Corinthians 4:2, where Paul discusses “stewards” in God’s house, it unmistakably means that God is seeking leaders who know His rules and live by them, who set themselves as an example for others by applying His rules in every situation, and who therefore teach others how to live by those rules as well.

The word “required” precedes the word “stewards,” and it comes from the Greek word zeteo, which implies a thorough search. This emphatically means God is ardently seeking people who are committed to His Word. When He finds a man or woman who knows the Word, honors the Word, and follows the Word in every situation, He has found the type of person to whom He will give authority and responsibility. The fact that this individual knows the rules and lives by them demonstrates to God that he or she can be trusted with greater responsibility.

Just as my father reminded me that as long as I lived under his roof, I was going to live by his rules, God also expects us to live by the rules of His house. We must remember that we are His sons and daughters in the household of faith. It is our obligation and responsibility to live under God’s roof according to His rules. I assure you that if we are out of sync with God’s Word, He isn’t going to bend to accommodate us. We are the ones who must change and conform to Him.

Especially if you are a leader or if you desire to be a leader who has influence on others, it is imperative for you to know and to live by God’s rules and to ensure that these rules are honored by all under your charge. If you are a person who already does this, throw up your arms and rejoice, because God is searching for you and is about to tap you on the shoulder to do something marvelous! I assure you that God is listening to your prayers — and He is watching to see if He can trust you with a bigger assignment. If He finds you faithful, a new assignment will soon arrive at your door.

However, if you are sloppy about how you apply God’s rules to your life, you need to be honest with yourself and realize that the big break you’ve been hoping for may still be very far away. For God to give you a big assignment, He needs to know that He can trust you to live according to the rules of His house!

I encourage you to take an honest survey of your life and examine every detail to see if you have been honoring God’s Word and obeying it as strictly as you should. If not, then make this your opportunity to repent. Follow your repentance with change, and know that God will watch to see if your repentance is genuine. Once your heart is set to do your best to keep His rules, a new assignment will soon be on the way. But never forget that before God gives a big assignment to someone, He carefully observes his actions to see if he is living according to the rules of His house.

Since this is true, wouldn’t it be wise for you to examine your life before the Lord to determine what HE sees as He watches you?

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for making me Your child — and today I am renewing my commitment to live according to the rules of Your house. It is a great honor to be Your child. I want to honor You by being obedient to You. I want to understand Your rules — what they mean, why You require them, and how to apply them to every situation in my life. When You look at me, I want You to see me as a child of God who is ardently doing all I can to honor Your rules, to live by Your rules, and to help others honor and obey them too. In my own flesh, it is impossible to do it all, but with the help of Your Spirit who dwells inside me, I can do what You expect and live in a way that brings glory to Your name. Holy Spirit, today I am turning to You for help as I endeavor to honor God in the way that I live under His roof.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am Christ-honoring and Word-keeping in the way I live and conduct my life. The Holy Spirit empowers me to think right, to do right, and to order my life according to the law of God. I am not a law-breaker — I am a law-abiding child of God. When God sees me, He finds me to be faithful and honoring of the rules that are so very important to Him. I am thankful to be saved and honored to be called a child of God. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to honor God in the way I live in His house and under His roof.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of areas in your life where you are sloppy in your obedience to the Word of God? Have you been cutting yourself too much slack in areas that God doesn’t take lightly? What are those areas, and how long have you been sloppy in your obedience to these important issues?
2. If you were God and you were looking at your life, would you consider yourself to be a law-keeper or one who tries to bend or get around the rules?
3. For you to genuinely repent, what necessary changes do you need to make in your life? God already knows the truth about you, so why don’t you take a few minutes today to be honest with God and with yourself so you can begin to make the changes He wants to see in your life.