Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
— 1 Corinthians 3:13

I will never forget the sound of the fire engines one night several years ago. We lived in a high-rise building in central Moscow, so when those fire trucks came speeding through the city with their horns blaring, the sound reverberated between the buildings on either side of the street as sound might ricochet off the walls in a great cavern.

I saw the lights flashing from the back side of our apartment, so Denise and I stepped out onto the balcony to see what was happening. The building directly behind us was on fire — and the flames were literally piercing the top of the roof and ferociously crackling upward into the smoke-filled air. The heat was so intense that the firemen were unable to get very close to the building. They had to stand back and watch the fire do its worst work before they could begin pumping water close enough to put out the burning timbers on the roof.

After the fire finally subsided, the only part of the building that remained was the part made of stone and mortar. Everything composed of burnable material was gone — reduced to ashes and burned to a crisp!

With today’s sophisticated technology and machinery, fires are usually extinguished quickly, thus reducing the amount of damage done. But in the apostle Paul’s day, there was no such equipment. Fires were a huge problem in large ancient cities. In fact, when a fire began, it often raged out of control for many days.

What made this even worse was the fact that the slave population in large cities lived in dwellings made of wood, hay, and stubble. As we saw in yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, this was exactly the picture Paul had in his mind when he wrote, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble” (1 Corinthians 3:12).

To review, the word “wood” in this verse is the Greek word zulos, and it means wood, wooden timbers, branches of a tree, boards, or anything made of wood. However, this word was also frequently used to depict fuel for a fire. Thus, this word zulos can describe a building composed of cheap, temporary, perishable, burnable materials.

The word “hay” in the same verse is the Greek word chortos, and it means grass or hay. This “hay” should never have been used as a construction material, for it ignited very easily. It was meant to be the food that was fed to animals and is often translated as “fodder.”

The word “stubble” in First Corinthians 3:12 is the Greek word kalame, which means straw or stubble. This material was so inferior that even animals wouldn’t eat it. Yet in the homes of slaves, it was used as a floor covering, insulation, and stuffing for beds. It was cheap, disposable, and replaceable.

Think of it! Those slave dwellings were made of wood and sticks, covered with a roof of grass, and insulated with straw. Imagine how quickly these flimsy structures went up in smoke when a fire touched them! When a fire struck one of those little houses, it ignited like a box of matches and started a chain reaction. Pieces of burning wood, grass, and straw whirled upward into the air as hot embers and fell on the surrounding slave dwellings. One after another, every little house made of wood, hay, and stubble burst into flames and began to burn like an inferno. Wood, hay, and stubble fueled the fire!

When these fires ran their course and died out, everything that could be burned was burned. Everything made of wood, hay, and stubble was gone!

This is one reason important buildings were made of stone. The builders knew that if a fire ever raged through the city, a stone building might get scorched but would still survive. Although it might be stained with smoke, the building would endure the worst of a fire and be fixable!

Living in the First Century AD and ministering in large cities, Paul had no doubt seen the effects of fire. Knowing that hardships, tests, and trials eventually come to every person’s life, he used this example as a backdrop when he said, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Paul began this verse by saying, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest….” By using the words “every man,” the apostle informed us that eventually a time comes to every person when he will be tested. The words “every man” are from the Greek word hekastos, an all-encompassing word that means everyone, no one excluded. Hence, Paul was telling us that no one in this world is completely exempt from fiery situations that arise to test him and thus reveal the true quality of what he is doing and building with his life.

By using our faith and yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid many catastrophes and demonic attacks in life. But as long as we are in this world where the devil operates, there will be moments when fire comes to test our works. When these fires come, that is the golden moment when we discover if our works are made of gold, silver, and precious stones — or if we have been building our lives with wood, hay, and stubble.

The word “work” in First Corinthians 3:13 informs us of what will be tested. The Greek word is ergos, which refers to the work or the output of one’s life. It signifies some kind of action, deed, or activity. Very often it referred to a person’s occupation, a person’s labor, or the things produced by a person’s effort or life. Thus, it could describe a person’s line of work, his career, his acts of labor, or even his profession.

Paul warned us that a day will come when our works will be tested. On that day, the true quality of our works and the real motive, intention, and reason behind our works will become evident. That is why he said, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest….”

The word “manifest” is the Greek word phaneros. It describes something that is visible, observable, obvious, clear, open, apparent, or evident. In fact, our works will become so evident that, as Paul said, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire…” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

That word “revealed” is the Greek word apokalupto. It is a compound of two Greek words, apo and kalupsis. The word apo means away. The word kalupsis means a curtain or a veil. When these two words are compounded, the new word describes something that has been veiled or hidden for a long time, but is now clear and visible because the veil has been removed.

It is like pulling the curtains out of the way so you can see what has always been just outside your window. The scene was always there for you to see, but the curtains blocked your ability to see the real picture. However, when the curtains were drawn apart, you could suddenly see what had been hidden from your view. In that moment, you saw beyond the curtain for the first time and observed what was there all along but had not been visible to you.

Often we see things on the surface, but we don’t know the real motivations of a person’s heart or the hidden reason why people do what they do. However, a day is coming when our works and the works of others will suddenly come into view. On that day, the curtains will be drawn apart, and the picture will become clear both to ourselves and to others. On that day, Paul said fire will pull the curtains apart so that the real picture becomes clear.

Paul went on to say, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire….” The words “by fire” can either be translated by fire or in the midst of fire. The language makes it 100-percent clear that fire is the medium that will expose the truth about what we have done and what we are doing with our lives. We are tested by fiery situations or in the midst of fiery situations.

Paul goes on to say, “…And the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” The Greek word translated “try” is the word dokimadzo. It means to test, to try, or to scrutinize. It was used to describe the testing of metals or other materials to see if they could stand up under pressure. If these materials had a flaw of any kind, the pressure of this test was so intense that it would cause that object to crack or to break into pieces.

The purpose of the test was not to hurt the object, but to expose flaws that could later do greater damage to many people. Putting materials through such dokimadzo tests was intended to point out the weak, dangerous, hidden flaws before these materials were used. It was simply a fact that later when these materials were used, they would be put under tremendous stress. If hidden flaws remained undiscovered, it could prove disastrous. Moving too quickly or using materials that were improperly made could result in the loss of an entire project, in the loss of money, and even in the loss of life.

Like it or not, it’s just a fact that tests come to us all in life. So rather than shut our eyes to this reality, we must allow the Holy Spirit to expose the hidden flaws in our souls, our character, and our work that would later break us when even more fiery trials come our way. It is up to us to make sure that we are building our lives with materials that will pass the test and won’t crumble under pressure!

Can you think of a time when you, your work, your job, or your ministry was tested? I can think of several times when our own ministry experienced hardships that revealed hidden flaws in our organization. I didn’t relish the experience, but afterward I was thankful that the fire had revealed weaknesses that we were unaware of but really needed to deal with. As difficult as those situations were, I was grateful I saw the defects and the areas where we had incorrectly built our ministry. Those fiery situations exposed the truth that we needed to see!

That is why Paul concludes this verse by saying, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

As we have seen, in the ancient world, fires occasionally consumed everything that was made of wood, hay, and stubble. However, everything made of gold, silver, and precious stone survived. When the fire was done, it revealed what had been built cheaply, hastily, and with perishable materials, and it also revealed what had been built with right materials and by right methods. As Paul says in First Corinthians 3:13, fire tells us what sort of thing we’ve been building with our lives!

An interpretive paraphrase of First Corinthians 3:13 could read as follows:

“Regardless of you who are, it is just a fact that a day will eventually come when the true nature of what you have built with your life will be exposed by fiery situations. When the fire comes, you’ll be so thoroughly tested that you’ll have a clearer picture afterward of what you have been building right and what you have been building wrong.”

I don’t know how our discussion today has affected you, but it makes me want to seek the face of God to make sure I am building my life, my marriage, my children, my finances, my household, my ministry, my organization, and every other part of my life in a way that will pass every test of life.

It is just a fact that if you and I build our lives hastily, cheaply, or with the wrong motives, a situation will eventually arise that will reveal the truth. When that day comes, everything we’ve done wrong will be burned and will go up in smoke, just like a fire consumes wood, hay, and stubble.

So rather than waste our precious time on works that have no eternal value, let’s choose to be wise by getting before God so He can speak to our hearts. God is more than willing to show us what we need to correct before a fire comes to teach us the hard way!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, help me take a good look at my life to see if I am building it correctly with the kind of materials that will last through any difficult time. I do not want to be irresponsible in the way I build my life, my family, my business, or my calling, so please help me be very attentive to what I am doing and how I am doing it. I realize that tests eventually come to everyone, and I know that if I am diligent with my life right now, I will stand up stronger and last longer when the storms of life try to assail me. So help me today, Holy Spirit, to start seriously pondering my life to see how I can be building better.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am building my life in such a way that I will be able to survive any attack! Because I am building wisely — with the right materials and the right methods — my life is becoming so strong that it will be capable of passing every test. I forsake hasty, irresponsible living, and I press forward with purpose to make a difference in this world. Therefore, I am giving my best efforts to build something that is excellent, respectable, and will bring glory to Jesus.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you think of any areas of your life that “went up in smoke” because you moved too hastily, built with the wrong materials, or used the wrong methods? What were those areas, and what did you learn from those experiences?
  2. What have you done differently since you experienced this loss in your personal life? Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts about what you should do differently in order to build your life so it can withstand even the worst fir
  3. Do you know anyone going through tests and trials right now who could use some encouragement? If you remember what it was like to go through hard times, why not look for ways to comfort those who are hurting with the same comfort you received from God?

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.
— 1 Corinthians 3:12

If you are ever fortunate to visit the city of Rome, you will be amazed to see how much of that ancient city has survived the past 2,000 years. Right in the heart of Italy’s modern capital, you   can almost take a peek into ancient Rome as you gaze upon ruins from the time of the Roman Empire, such as the Coliseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, and so much more. It is truly remarkable.

The reason so much of ancient Rome can still be seen today is that most of its buildings were constructed of stone. Romans wanted their greatness to be etched into human history forever. Therefore, when they built the city, they constructed buildings designed to declare the Caesar’s glory for millennia. Government buildings, palaces, streets, monuments, columns, and statues — all of these were intended to tell future generations how great the Romans were.  Although the gold, silver, and precious stones that once adorned these buildings have since been stripped away, scores of these structures remain intact. And just as the original builders intended, they tell us about the glory of the Romans.

However, not all of Rome was made of stone, gold, silver, and precious stones. There was another side of Rome, where the flimsy, poorly made wooden dwellings of the poor were located.

Because wealthy Romans didn’t like to do manual labor, they imported foreigners from across the great Roman Empire and forced them into slavery. As a result of this massive importation of slaves, each year the slave population grew larger and larger until it became the largest sector of Rome. Some estimate that the slave population outnumbered the free population of the city by three to one! In effect, the city of Rome had become a city of slaves who lived to serve the needs, whims, and desires of their masters.

As large as this slave sector was, the ancient dwellings of the slaves did not survive the past 2,000 years. Over the centuries, the weather, decay, and fire that ravaged Rome also ravaged those flimsy wooden structures. The homes of the slaves, who had no personal funds and were generally poorly treated by the rich Romans, were constructed quickly and cheaply using wood, hay, and stubble as building materials. That’s why almost nothing remains of these shabby dwellings today. They could not pass the test of time and were never intended to survive like the massive stone structures that tell about the greatness of the Romans.

Because the apostle Paul traveled throughout the Roman Empire, he witnessed the disparity between the rich and the poor. He’d gaze upon the massive stone structures of the rich. Then right next to those impressive buildings, he’d see the flimsy homes where slaves were forced to live. What a comparison! One type of structure was built to last forever, whereas the other type was so rickety that it wouldn’t even last a lifetime.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians and urged them to be careful about how they lived and built their lives, he used this comparison as an illustration. His point was this: Although all believers have the solid Rock of Jesus Christ under their lives, what they build on top of that foundation is so very important.

Hence, Paul wrote, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.” In this statement, Paul was asking us:

Let’s look at the building materials Paul listed in this verse. First, he mentioned “gold.” This word “gold” is the Greek word chrusos, which means gold and describes the most valuable material that existed in the Roman Empire. Nothing was more expensive or costly than gold. Gold was extremely rare — especially before the time of Alexander the Great — and was therefore highly prized. Gold wasn’t strong enough to be an actual building material. But if a building was extremely important, gold was used ornamentally on the outside relief of buildings and in the decor of its interiors. When gold was used, either on the exterior or inside décor of a building, it indicated that this building was a structure of great significance.

The word “silver” is the Greek word arguros, which often referred to silver money because silver was the primary metal used for coins. For example, the Bible tells us that Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for “thirty pieces of silver” (see Matthew 26:15). The word “silver” is this Greek word arguros and conveys the idea of money.

However, silver was also used inside special buildings for ornamentation and decoration, similar to the way gold was used, and items for worship or prestige were often fashioned of silver. In Acts 19:24, we read that idols depicting the goddess Artemis in Ephesus were made of silver. Anything in the ancient world that was made of silver was considered expensive and precious.

The phrase “precious stones” in Greek is lithous timious, from the word lithos, the Greek word for stone, and the word timao, a Greek word meaning honorable, costly, or precious. When Paul mentioned “precious stones,” he was not alluding to diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, or other gemstones. Paul was referring to expensive building materials, such as marble or granite. These materials were considered top-of-the-line building materials because they could endure weather, fire, and time. Any building made to last was fashioned of marble or granite.

Gold, silver, and precious stones (marble and granite) were the most expensive and the highest quality materials used in the construction of a building in Paul’s day. These were durable, long-lasting, resilient materials! That’s why buildings made of these materials are still standing today.

But Paul went on to describe another category of building materials: wood, hay, and stubble. Let’s also look at these words for just a moment to see why he mentioned them in this verse. You are about to see that Paul was making a very dramatic comparison!

First, the word “wood” is the Greek word zulos, and it means wood, wooden timbers, branches of a tree, boards, or anything made of wood. It primarily denoted building materials. However, this word was also frequently used to depict fuel for a fire. This word zulos describes a building composed of cheap, temporary, perishable, burnable materials. You can quickly build such a building, but a house of wood is never built to last for the ages. This was the primary material used in construction of slave dwellings in Rome. These wooden houses were homes that could go up in smoke very easily.

Second, Paul mentioned “hay,” which was another material used in the construction of slave dwellings. The word “hay” is the word chortos, and it means grass or hay. This “hay” should never have been used as a construction material, for it was meant to be the food that was fed to animals; in fact, it was often used to mean fodder. In other words, this “hay” was meant to be eaten, not used for construction. Because of its fragile, transitory nature, hay was considered to be the poorest material to use in construction. Yet in the slave homes of Rome, it was commonly used for the roof.

Third, Paul mentioned “stubble.” This is the Greek word kalame, which simply means straw or stubble. This material was so inferior that even animals wouldn’t eat it. Yet in the homes of slaves, it was used as a floor covering, as insulation, and as stuffing for beds. It was cheap, disposable, and replaceable. Think of it! These slave dwellings were made of wood and sticks; the roofs were made of grass; and the walls were insulated with straw. No wonder these dwellings didn’t last!

As I’ve stated, one type of building was built to last forever, whereas the other was so rickety that it wouldn’t even last a lifetime.

By using this illustration, Paul was confronting us with the question: How are you building your life? Are you building hastily and with perishable materials? Or are you taking your life seriously, building carefully with materials that will last throughout your life and are strong enough to impact not only this present generation, but also the generations to come?

This is precisely what Paul was saying when he wrote, “Now if any man build upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.”

The Foundation under our lives is Jesus, but what we build on top of that Foundation depends on our personal commitment and the level of excellence we demand of ourselves in every area of our lives. So I ask you: Are you building something with your life that will be enduring — or are you building so hastily and poorly that everything you’ve built could go up suddenly in a puff of smoke?

Look at your life and ask yourself:

How am I building my marriage?

Based on what I am doing today, will my marriage flourish or perish?

How am I building my children?

Will my children pass the tests of life because of what I am putting into them?

How am I building my relationships?

Am I building my relationships so they can stand up against any storm?

How am I building my ministry?

Am I doing a lot of “quick fixes” that aren’t real solutions to problems in my ministry, or am I taking time to build my ministry right so it will last a lifetime?

How am I building my business?

Will the steps I am taking today build a long-term business, or will I later regret that I didn’t make longer-lasting decisions?

How am I building my finances?

Am I using money in a way to build my future, or am I throwing away my future by being reckless today?

How am I building my health?

If I keep doing what I am doing right now, will I be healthy later in life, or is my present lifestyle jeopardizing my future physical health?

Yes, Jesus is the Foundation under your life. Thank God for this awesome truth! But what you build on top of that foundation depends upon you. I advise you to ponder the questions I’ve posed to you in this Sparkling Gem and to spend some time talking to the Lord about how you answer them. This is such an important issue, because the ultimate outcome of your life depends on your getting those answers right.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Lord, as I start my day today, I ask You to help me seriously consider the way I’ve been building my life, my finances, my business, my ministry, my relationships, and my family. Forgive me for getting in a hurry and for doing things too hastily at times when I need to be concentrating on doing things right. Help me build my life in such a way that it will survive the test of time. Give me the insight I need to know when I am building correctly and when I am building too quickly. I know that my life is important and that You have trusted me as a steward over everything I have. So today I confess that I need Your help to build with the right materials and to build in such a way that what I do for You impacts future generations and passes the test of time.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that with God’s help, I am building my life wisely and with materials that will pass the test of time. My life is a gift from God, and I am a careful steward over this wonderful gift. Instead of being too hasty, I am carefully taking one step at a time, building my life, vision, business, and family so they will be strong for years to come. I would never be smart enough to build a life that lasts in my own strength, but with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I am learning to build my life wisely, carefully, and for longevity!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you think of areas of your life that were built incorrectly and therefore didn’t last the way you had wished? What were those areas, and what did you learn from these experiences?
  2. Are you presently building certain parts of your life with shaky, flimsy materials? If so, what steps are you going to take to change this?
  3. Take a few minutes today to let the Lord help you review your life so you can honestly ascertain if you are building your life correctly or incorrectly. Never forget that your life is a gift from God and that you are called to be a wise steward of that gift by building your spiritual house with gold and silver and precious stones!

…But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
— 2 Corinthians 10:12

Earlier in life, I struggled terribly with an inferiority complex. Inadequacy, insufficiency, incompetence, and deficiency are just a few words to express the feelings that tried to master my self-image. Today I want to share what I learned from that experience, as well as a great truth I found in my studies of Second Corinthians 10:12, which says, “…They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” I believe that the principle I discovered in this verse will help you if you’ve faced a similar struggle and you long to be free.

When our teaching ministry was first getting started, I wondered, Who will ever want to have us minister in their church or conference? Denise and I had been living in a small city and had very few contacts beyond our little circle, so it seemed like a logical question. On one hand, I knew that God had called us to teach His Word across the earth, but on the other hand, I questioned that call — how it would be fulfilled. No one knew who we were. No one had ever heard us teach the Bible. There was simply no logical reason for anyone to invite us to teach the Word in their churches or conferences.

We began to schedule meetings in small churches all across the United States. We joyfully walked through every door and took every opportunity that opened for us, even accepting invitations to speak in home Bible studies. But frequently the enemy would bombard my mind with tormenting thoughts to inflame old feelings of insecurity: You’ll never do anything on a large or significant scale. Your entire ministry will be to small groups of people! When we got in the car to leave those meetings, I shared my struggling thoughts with Denise, and she’d try to encourage me. But the devil was hounding me with accusing thoughts of impending failure, telling me that I would be insignificant for the rest of my life.

I especially felt assaulted when we attended conferences or seminars to hear other speakers. Rather than be blessed, I vividly recall the devil telling me:

I fell into the trap of measuring and comparing myself against others, with the end result of always feeling like I fell hopelessly short. The devil literally tried to devastate me with feelings of inadequacy, deficiency, and inferiority. The more I compared myself to others, the more I felt “less than” — that is, until God’s Spirit reached into my heart and set me free!

The reason I share this intimate struggle from my past is that I know there are many who compare themselves to others as I once did. That may be your struggle. If it is, today I want to share what I found in this scripture that helped set me free. I believe the principle I discovered in this verse will help set you free as well!

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he explained an important principle along this line: “…But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). The word “wise” is the Greek word sophos, which means specially enlightened, wise, sharp, or bright. This means the verse could be interpreted: “Comparing yourselves among yourselves is not the sharpest or brightest thing to do!”

I can attest from personal experience that habitually comparing yourself to others is not the brightest thing to do. It can be a fruitless endeavor that makes you feel worse and even more inferior. The word “comparing” is the Greek word sunkrino, and it is the picture of two or more who stand side by side to thoroughly examine themselves in comparison to each other and then to critically judge who is superior among the candidates. One group is classified as superior, and the other is classified as inferior. It is a fleshly endeavor that produces no spiritual fruit. It elevates one and puts another down, and it fails to recognize the many diverse graces of God that exist within the Christian community.

The Corinthian believers were fighting among themselves to prove who was the greatest among them. When Paul wrote this verse, he wrote it to rebuke them for making such comparisons. They didn’t have a problem with inferiority, as I had struggled with earlier in life. They had an issue with feelings of superiority and were in fierce competition with each other. Paul wrote this verse to rebuke the Corinthian believers for making comparisons, exhorting them to stop their infighting as they tried to prove who was the most spiritual among them.

In the March 4 Sparkling Gem, we will address the ugly spirit of superiority that should never be permitted in a believer’s life. However, there is a principle in this verse that the Holy Spirit used to help set me free from a spirit of inferiority. So here is the point I want to get across to you today: God intentionally made you different from others. You are actually a result of His divine design. Your mannerisms, insights, and style that are different from others may be the very qualities that make you uniquely positioned to fulfill a specific need.

Of course, we all have areas in our lives that need to be changed, and God will show these to you one at a time. But if you will quit comparing yourself to others — if you will stop disparaging the very qualities that cause you to stand out from those around you — you’ll open the door to freedom from a spirit of inferiority so your unique gifts can begin to shine brightly as God intended.

The thing that personally bothered me most was that I felt so different from other people. In fact, the issue of feeling strange or “less than” others began when I was a child. Even when I was very young, I felt that I was different in comparison to others. While all the other boys were playing football, I was visiting museums. While other boys were talking about and watching baseball games, I was taking art lessons and visiting the symphony. Although it’s true I was different in many ways from my peers, that difference didn’t mean I was inferior to them. However, at that young moment in my life, the devil used those differences to sow harmful thoughts into my soul that something had to be wrong with me because I was different than others. Years later when I was an adult, this root was still affecting me as I fell into the trap of comparing myself to others and constantly feeling that I was too different to be accepted by them.

What I thought was a negative trait — being “different” from others — was the very thing that made me uniquely qualified to fulfill my call. When I finally understood that God was the One who made me different, I began to see that I could shine His light in ways that others could not. What I thought would hold me back is actually what gave me my place in His plan! When I began to accept who God made me to be, I was freed from the devil’s mental assault and began to step out of the shadows so God could begin to use me in a greater way. I was finally able to embrace my uniqueness that made me shine differently from others.

That can be your story too! You can make the decision today that you’re never going to go down that bumpy, twisted road of comparing yourself to others and always coming up short. Today you’re going to start celebrating the differences that make you uniquely you!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I thank You for the ways in which You made ME unique and different from others. Forgive me for the times I’ve struggled with being different. Now I understand that my differences distinguish me from others. You specially made me to fulfill a role no one else can fulfill. I accept what You have made me to be, and, Holy Spirit, I surrender my life to You. I ask You to help me present all that I am to the Father, changing what needs to be changed, so that my life will bring glory to Jesus Christ.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that what I am, I am by the grace of God and that He didn’t make any mistakes in the way He made me! He gifted me with talents, emotions, humor, insights, perspectives, and unique qualities that set me apart from others. My differences are some of the most positive attributes in my life, and I will not reject myself anymore simply because I am different. Being different puts me in a special category that I will no longer despise, but will use for the glory of God!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you struggled with being “different” from others? In what ways do you think you are different from other people?
  2. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, can you see how being unique puts you in a category of your own? Why not take a few minutes to write down the ways that being unique is a positive factor in your life?
  3. How can you maximize your uniqueness? Every product is known because it has something to offer that other products do not offer. What do you have to offer that distinguishes you from other people?

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth….
— 2 Timothy 2:20

There are many different roles in God’s Kingdom, and each role is significant and important. The devil often tells people that their role is not important because it is less visible than the role of others. Let me address that misconception by first telling you about an experience I had many years ago in an antique store that specialized in ancient relics.

When I looked at the shelves of the antique store, I was amazed at the many antiquities that appeared to have been sitting there for decades and were covered with a thick film of dust. An archeologist’s treasure trove, this shop was also a housekeeper’s nightmare because it hadn’t been cleaned in years! I sneezed as I accidentally breathed in dust while rubbing my hand across the front of a beautiful vase I had taken from a high shelf.

From where I was standing, it appeared to me that the higher shelves were loaded with interesting historical items, such as vases of marble, jasper, and alabaster. I grabbed a stepladder and stretched upward on my toes so I could peer deeper into the cache of relics on that top shelf — and there I discovered genuine Roman antiquities made of silver and gold. Astonishment is the only word I know to describe the intense emotion that rushed through me as I reached out to take hold of those precious artifacts.

The lower shelves were also filled with memories from the ancient world, but these were primarily items made from stone and clay. I saw pottery from the Iron Age, oil lamps from the Byzantine period that had been dug from the soil of Israel, and authentic pottery from the ancient city of Corinth that was still completely intact.

As I stood back and looked at the floor all around me, I could see that I was surrounded by less expensive ancient items that were primarily made from wood, such an ancient harness used for oxen, feeding troughs, and Egyptian baskets of woven ancient reeds from the Nile River. The thought hit me strongly that whether these different objects were made of superior or relatively inferior material, they had all successfully endured the test of time and survived thousands of years.

I pondered all these objects for a moment, wondering:

When I picked up the items made of wood and clay, I could still see stains that remained from ancient times. I wondered:

Before me were vessels of gold, silver, stone, wood, and clay, all of which had survived the test of time and now sat in that shop as a reminder of a people from the ancient past. The rich, the poor, the upper class, the lower class, the educated, the uneducated, old and young — all the various classes of society were represented in the array of utensils and articles before me that day.

When I saw this amazing mixture of gold, silver, wood, and earthen vessels, my thoughts went to Paul’s words to Timothy, where he told the younger minister, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth: and some to honor, and some to dishonor” (2 Timothy 2:20).

I want you to notice that Paul began this verse by writing about “a great house.” At this point, Paul reached into the secular world and borrowed an example to make his point. In his mind, he recalled the magnificent homes that belonged to the rich upper class. When he wrote about a “great” house, he used the word megale. The word megale depicts something very large. The word “house” is oikos, the regular word for a house. But when the words oikos megale are used together, it no longer refers to just a regular residence or house like any citizen would live in. Now it paints the picture of a very large house.

Remnants of large, elegant residences from Paul’s day are still evident today in cities like Rome, Athens, Pompeii, and ancient Ephesus. Such homes belonged to the wealthy upper class and were both splendid and grandiose. Paul used the illustration of these impressive houses to depict the majesty of God’s house, which is the grandest and greatest of them all.

Paul went on to say that just as in the large homes of the wealthy, in God’s house, “…There are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth….”

The word “vessels” is the Greek word skeuos. It refers to a vessel, container, or utensil. In ancient times, there was a wide array of skeuos, and each had a specific and designated purpose. The word skeuos could be used to depict utensils, agricultural instruments, baggage, equipment of various sorts, vases used in worship, kitchen items, and elegant articles of gold and silver put on public display.

Vessels made from “wood and earth” were usually functional items used for everyday household chores. The wooden items were also used as containers for water, flour, oil, or wine. Vessels fashioned from “gold and silver” were evidently intended for exhibition and therefore displayed in visible places in the homes of the rich. Gold and silver objects were meant to be seen and appreciated rather than serve a practical function.

There is no doubt that Paul was describing real gold and silver vessels, because he used the word chrusos, the Greek word for gold, and the word arguros, the Greek word for silver. The Greek word for “wood” is zulina, which describes any vessel made of wood. The word “earth” is the Greek word ostrakinos, which refers to pottery. (For a deeper study of the word ostrakinos, see the February 13 Gem in Sparkling Gems 1.) What a variety of vessels we see in this verse!

With this example, Paul teaches us that all kinds of vessels and people are needed in God’s house. Imagine how dysfunctional a house would be if all the vessels in it were made of gold, silver, precious stones, or highly priced porcelain. You couldn’t function in such a house! In fact, you would probably be afraid to even move about in a house where everything was made of precious materials. For a house to function normally, it needs regular pots and pans. The utensils in the kitchen may not receive the same adulation as the more elegant objects displayed in the living room showcase, but kitchen utensils are indispensable for the proper functioning of a household. Just try cooking bacon and eggs in porcelain vases or with utensils made of gold and silver, and you’ll be quickly reminded how important regular ol’ pots and pans are!

By using such imagery, Paul let us know that all kinds of vessels — people with different functions and roles — are needed in God’s house. Although they are different from each other, each is important and special. Each serves a specific purpose. Just as was true with the vessels of the fabulous ancient homes, in God’s house there must be many different kinds of people with different positions, functions, and purposes. In fact, His house is filled to overflowing with human vessels whose various gifts and talents are essential to the effective functioning of God’s house. Some people have visible positions; other people have less visible positions. But each person is vital to the operations of God’s house.

As you ponder your own role in God’s house, it is important for you to remember that some people’s roles are more visible, while others have a less visible part to play. Yet everyone’s role is vital and of great consequence. If those working behind the scenes didn’t do their part, those with more visible roles wouldn’t be able to do their parts.

Human beings tend to glamorize people who perform on the stage, but entertainers wouldn’t seem so glamorous if they had no makeup artists to prepare them. They wouldn’t shine so brightly if there were no lighting specialists to light up the stage. Their voices would be unheard if there were no sound technicians. The makeup artists, lighting specialists, and sound technicians are unseen, but I guarantee you that their absence would be noticed if they didn’t do their jobs! They are all vital for the show to go on!

So don’t let the devil badger you into thinking your role is not important because it is less visible than others. Your part is very important in God’s house!

There are many different roles in God’s Kingdom, and each role is significant and important. Maybe your role is visible, or maybe yours is behind the scenes. Regardless of the role you have right now, consider it an honor that God would use you in His house! I encourage you to say yes to the role God has given you at this time. Throw open your arms, embrace it, and hold it close. Take deep into your heart the place of service to which God has assigned you for this season. Master that position — fulfilling its responsibilities with an excellent attitude — and then watch Him move you to higher levels of responsibility according to His will and His purposes for your life!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I thank You for speaking to me so strongly today about my role in Your House. I admit that in the past, there have been times when I was tempted to think that I was less important than others because my role wasn’t as visible as theirs. But now I understand that my part in Your house is just as vital as those who are more public, for without my role, it would be much harder for them to do what You have called them to do. I ask You to give me grace to embrace, hold close, and take deep into my heart the position You have given me at this time in my life. Help me master it and fulfill my part in a way that is helpful to others and that honors and glorifies You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

 

I confess that I am thankful for the role I have in God’s house. I am not a complainer or one who bemoans the task that has been given to me. I fulfill my role with a happy heart, as unto the Lord, knowing that I will answer to Him for the assignment He has given me. Because I do my part, others are able to do their part. We are a team, and each of us is very important to the proper functioning of God’s household. I appreciate my role; I value those who have different roles than mine; and I am known as a person who expresses my gratitude to others for what they do in God’s house.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever been frustrated with the task that has been given to you in God’s house? Did you think your role was less important than others’ tasks because yours was only a supportive role? After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, how has your attitude changed toward the supportive role you have been given?
  2. Can you think of someone you know who is infected with “star sickness” and who treats others badly if they don’t hold a prominent position? What have you learned by observing this person’s inappropriate treatment of other people? Through observation, what have you learned that you never want to do to other people who have less visible roles than yourself?
  3. Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you today about embracing your place in God’s house? What changes do you need to make in your attitude to be successful in your present role in His Kingdom?

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:15

I’ll never forget the day when a man who had been recently saved in our church came to me and said, “Pastor, just say the word, and I’ll send someone across town to eliminate the man who has tried to hurt you and our church.”

Before coming to Christ, this man had been heavily involved in the Russian mafia, and in that capacity, he had done a lot of dark deeds in the name of loyalty for his former boss. Still newly saved, the only kind of loyalty he understood at this point was retribution — and he viewed me, his pastor, as his new “boss.” So when he heard that a man had deliberately abused the church and tried to harm our reputation, he responded the only way he knew to respond. He was so incensed with anger that he was ready to “get” the guy and thereby send a loud signal that no one dare touch his pastor and his church — or they would pay for it!

“Pastor,” this man told me, “I have connections. Just say the word, and I’ll make sure that person never bothers you or anyone else ever again!”

I had to explain to this man that retribution is not the way we do business in the Kingdom of God. “If there is any retribution,” I said, “that is something God would deal with, not us.” I continued by telling him that we are in the business of redeeming lost men, not killing them when we get angry!

Nevertheless, when this newly saved man presented me with his sincere offer, I inwardly chuckled because I had never heard anyone be so blatant about his desire to “get” someone. But as I thought about it, I wondered how many times Christians have wished they could render some form of justice against someone they were upset with because of something that person had done or failed to do.

Any of us can be tempted to be vindictive from time to time — especially if someone has seriously disappointed us, harmed us or our families or friends, or tried to hurt our personal reputation. But no matter what evil others have done to us, we must remember what the apostle Paul wrote in First Thessalonians 5:15: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

The Greek tense in this verse is not a suggestion but the strongest form of a command. When Paul wrote, “See that none render evil for evil,” it could be translated, “I am unquestionably commanding that none of you renders evil for evil.…” It is absolutely clear that Christians are commanded to abstain from all acts of retaliation and self-vindication. The word “none” is all-inclusive, letting us know that this order is categorically directed to every single person. This means that regardless of the circumstance, no one who calls Jesus his Lord should be involved in the practice of rendering evil for evil.

The word “render” in this verse is from the word apodidomi, a compound of the words apo and didomi. The word apo means back, as to return something back to its original owner or to send something back to someone. The word didomi simply means to give. When these two words are compounded into the word apodidomi, as we find it in this verse, the new word means to send back, to return, or to pay back. In other words, it is never our task to retaliate, to get even, to get revenge, to make someone pay for what he did, or to settle the score with someone we think did evil against us.

The word “evil” is the Greek word kakos. It describes an action that is harmful, hurtful, or injurious or something done with an evil intent. These are the actions of a person who intentionally acts to cause some kind of damage or ruin in someone else’s life. But this verse talks about “evil for evil” — the Greek phrase kakon anti kakou — which carries the idea of a person who thinks, You did wrong to me, so now I’m going to do wrong to you. I’m going to do to you exactly what you did to me! In God’s view, such vindictive behavior is completely unacceptable for committed Christians, even if someone has grievously wronged them.

Instead, Paul wrote that we must “…ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” The word “ever” is pantote, a word that means always, at all times, or constantly. The word “follow” is the word dioko, which in historic Greek literature meant to hunt, to pursue, to chase, or to track down and kill. It is the picture of an outdoorsman who is so determined to hunt down an animal that he will stop at nothing to pursue, chase, track down, and ultimately get his game!

Do hunters accidentally bag their game, or do they strategize and plan to get a good kill shot each hunting season? Hunters strategize! They talk to other hunters about the best places to hunt. They dress in camouflaged clothes. They often perch themselves high up on tree branches and wait for hours upon hours for an unlucky deer to walk into their path. Once the deer comes in range, they shoot to kill! They hunt, hound, and stalk that animal until they finally get their game. Then they throw the big catch in the back of their truck and head home with their trophy — and the prospect of many good venison meals in their future! That is exactly what Paul meant when he told us to ever “follow” that which is good.

The fact that what is good must be pursued means doing the right thing does not always come easy! But regardless of how hard it is to do it, you and I must always be committed to doing what is good and right. The word “good” in this verse is the word agathos, the Greek word that means anything that is good, beneficial, or profitable.

You may be tempted to resist being a blessing or to do nothing for someone you feel has done wrong to you. But as I’ve noted, it is never your job to pay someone back for what he or she did to you, or to withhold a blessing when you are able to give it.

Paul plainly taught that it is God’s will that we “ever follow that which is good.” That means we must be dedicated to pursuing that which is good, beneficial, and profitable. But must we really do good to all men? Must we seek to do good even to those who have done wrong to us?

Paul answered that question when he wrote that we must behave like this “both among yourselves, and to all men.” The phrase “among yourselves” in Greek is eis allelous and it unquestionably refers to the relationships that existed between the brethren in church. But we are not to be in the occupation of doing good only to our fellow brethren. Paul also went on to say “to all men.” This phrase “all men” would include those outside the Church, or those who are outside of Christ and therefore non-Christian.

If you feel that someone has committed an injustice against you or simply treated you badly, and you find yourself wishing you could “get back” at that person for what he or she did, that is a moment when you must take charge of your emotions and remind yourself that vindictive behavior is never God’s will. Regardless of the evil others have committed against you, it is imperative that you remember what the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians in First Thessalonians 5:15: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

An interpretive translation of First Thessalonians 5:15 could read:

“I am commanding you that not a single one among you should be involved in the business of retribution or revenge. It is not your task to retaliate, to get even, to take revenge, to make someone pay for what he did, or to settle the score. Your assignment is not only to pursue anything that will be beneficial and good for your Christian friends, but also for people who are outside of Christ.”

Never forget that retribution is not the way we do business in the Kingdom of God. If there is any retribution, let it be something taken care of by God and not by you or me. Let’s remember that we are in the business of redeeming the lost, not taking revenge or getting even with people when they upset us!

To consistently do good to others who haven’t treated you right will require your commitment and dedication to obey Jesus. Achieving this will take your utmost concentration, undivided attention, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself to following God’s command not to render evil for evil, but to ever follow that which is good. As you do, the Holy Spirit will stand right alongside you to help you carry out this act of obedience. Leave retribution in God’s hands, and make it your business to do good to all men.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I ask You to help me have a right attitude and heart toward people, including those who have hurt me and let me down. You know how deeply disappointed I have been in people that I expected to behave on a much higher level. Help me recall the many times I’ve let You down, yet You have never forsaken me, rejected me, or cast me aside. In spite of my personal failings, You continue to show Your love, mercy, and forgiveness to me — and Your blessings continue to abound in my life. Just as You have been steadfast in Your love for me, I ask You to help me have a steadfast heart filled with love, mercy, and goodwill for others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I am filled with the love of God and never want to do harm to anyone. God wants me to be a blessing to everyone I know and meet. Therefore, I am determined that strife, vengeance, and retribution toward others are not, and will not be, a part of my life. Jesus has called me to walk the high road, and I am committed to getting on the road of love and forgiveness. I will be a blessing to my Christian brethren and even to those who are without Christ. I will obey God’s Word and always seek to do good to people I know and meet. Other people’s lives will be more richly blessed as a result of being around me and knowing me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. In this Sparkling Gem, I related the story of a man who wanted to “get” someone who had wronged us and our church. Did you identify with that story? Have you ever secretly wished you could pay someone back for the wrong you perceived he or she did to you?
  2. Have you ever felt like the brunt of someone’s efforts to “get back” at you for some wrong he perceived you did to them? When that happened, were you shocked to find that this person thought you had deliberately tried to mistreat him?
  3. If you look at the people in or near your life right now, in what ways can you begin to reach out to benefit and bless them?

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.…
— 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

Over the years, we have received millions of letters from viewers who have written in response to our TV programs. If I were to amass all of those letters and analyze the number-one need that people write to us about, I would have to say it is their desperate desire to know God’s will for their lives.

People struggle to know what is right or wrong, what jobs they should or shouldn’t take, what school they should attend for higher education, whom they should or should not marry, whether or not to go full time into the ministry — and on, on, and on. Often well-meaning, misinformed people have told them, “Well, you can’t always know God’s plan.” These misled people even quote First Corinthians 2:9 and use it as an excuse for ignorance. They say, “You know what the Bible says: ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.’ You see, even the Bible tells us we can’t always know what God has planned for us!”

However, that was not the point the apostle Paul was trying to make when he wrote this verse! We cannot use First Corinthians 2:9 as an excuse for ignorance. It’s true that there was a time long ago under the Old Covenant when it wasn’t possible to fully know God’s plan as we can know it today. Paul paraphrased from the Old Testament when he said, “…As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them…” (see Isaiah 64:4). Isaiah was bemoaning the perplexing problem of man’s inability to know what God has planned for him. At that time, before the Holy Spirit came to indwell the hearts of people, it was difficult and often impossible to fully discern the things God had planned for each of His children.

Think about how perplexing this problem must have been! God meticulously prepared wonderful, prearranged blessings for His people, but they weren’t able to discern these things in advance! The word “prepared” is important in this text, for it is the Greek word etoimadzo, which carries the idea of a readiness or something that has been fully prepared. The use of this word in this verse alerts us to the fact that God has a divine plan for each of our lives and is ready to reveal it! How wonderful to realize that God’s plan for us is not happenstance, accidental, or a product of last-minute planning. He has been meticulously working out a plan for our lives since before the foundation of the world. He is the Great Planner!

Under the Old Covenant, however, the Holy Spirit didn’t reside in the human heart, so people struggled tremendously to find God’s predetermined plan for their lives. In their efforts to uncover His will, they sought special, divine signs and even visited prophets of the region in an attempt to find answers and gain God’s guidance and direction. Although God had prepared so much for His people, they were blind to much of what had been provided for them because they didn’t have the Great Revealer living in their hearts.

How I wish I could say that it was different today, but most modern Christians live their lives as if they were still living under the Old Covenant! This is especially sad when you consider that Christians have the Holy Spirit living inside their hearts and therefore have access to all the answers they could ever need. But because they have never developed a spiritual sensitivity or learned to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, they still live like Old Testament people, depending on special signs, divine signals, or advice from others.

This shouldn’t be the case! The Holy Spirit has come to tell you and me everything we need to know to walk in the fullness of God’s plan for our lives.

Because the Holy Spirit has come, the ignorance that once existed among God’s people has permanently been eliminated. No one can rightfully use First Corinthians 2:9 as an excuse for ignorance or for not knowing the will of God. People who use this verse in this way are sadly misinformed about its purpose. Taken in context with the following verse, this verse clearly reveals that God does not want His people to be ignorant about His purposes, blessings, promises, and provisions that He has so meticulously planned for their lives.

First Corinthians 2:10 continues to tell us, “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.…” What does the word “them” refer to? It refers to all the things that used to be hidden! The word “revealed” is the Greek word apokalupsis, a compound of the words apo and kalupsis. The word apo means away, and the word kalupsis is the Greek word for a veil, a curtain, or some type of covering. When compounded into the word apokalupsis, which is normally translated as the word “revelation,” it literally means to remove the veil or to remove the curtain so you can see what is on the other side.

This word apokalupsis plainly refers to something that was veiled or hidden for a long time and suddenly becomes clear and visible to the mind or eye. It is like pulling the curtains out of the way so you can see the scene outside your window. The view was always there for you to enjoy, but the curtains blocked your ability to see the real picture. Once the curtains are drawn apart, you suddenly behold what was previously hidden from your view. The moment you see beyond the curtain for the first time and observe what has been there all along but wasn’t evident to you — that is what the Bible calls a “revelation.”

Now apply this to First Corinthians 2:9,10. In verse 9, Paul indeed said that there was a time in the past when the eye could not see, the ear could not hear, nor could the heart begin to imagine all the amazing, wonderful things God had prepared for those who love Him. God had prepared those benefits according to His prearranged plan, but they were veiled — hidden to us, obscured from our sight. But when Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit came, and one of His major works in our lives is to remove the veil that once obstructed our view so our eyes can see, our ears can hear, and our hearts can fully comprehend the specific, special plans that God has meticulously prepared for each of us!

So I want to tell you, if you’ve been using this verse to claim ignorance of God’s ways, it’s time for you to change your thinking and speaking about it! This verse doesn’t give us an excuse for ignorance. In fact, it says just the opposite! This verse declares the day of not knowing what God has prepared for us is gone forever! The Holy Spirit — the Great Revealer — now lives inside our hearts, and He wants to reveal God’s blessings, promises, provisions, and plans to you and to me!

Thank God, you no longer have to seek special signs or divine signals. You don’t have to seek out prophets as they did in the Old Testament. Right inside your heart is the greatest Source of revelation on planet earth — the Holy Spirit! If you’ll develop a spiritual sensitivity and learn to listen to His voice, He will reveal everything that God has meticulously planned for you so you can be all God has destined you to be.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Lord, I thank You for the presence and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve ignored this precious Partner whom You have sent to instruct and lead me in all the affairs of life. I repent for trying to find my way in life without His counsel and assistance. I confess that I’ve often sought the advice of family, friends, counselors, pastors, books, and other sources more than I’ve sought the counsel of the Holy Spirit — yet He is the One who knows the end from the beginning. Father, I thank You for providing the greatest source of revelation inside my own heart through His presence within me. Starting today, I seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for each and every decision I make in life. Father, since You have meticulously planned my life and have sent the Holy Spirit to reveal that plan to me, from this day onward I want to let the Holy Spirit provide the revelation I need to fulfill that plan!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I am led by the Holy Spirit and that He reveals to me the will of God for my life. I am not ignorant, and I am not left to find my way on my own. God loves me so much that He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within me and to provide me with all the details of God’s awesome plan for my life. As I develop my spiritual sensitivity and listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice, I am enlightened step by step to what He wants me to do with every part of my life. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in me, my eyes see, my ears hear, and my heart is able to comprehend the things God has planned for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you know the overall framework of God’s plan for your life? If so, what is it? Could you clearly state God’s will and plan for your life if someone asked you to do it?
  2. Are you spiritually developing so you can more and more easily perceive the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart? What steps can you start taking to increase your level of spiritual sensitivity?
  3. If someone were to ask you for help in determining God’s will for his life, what would you tell him to do?

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
— Romans 12:18

Do you know anyone who rubs you the wrong way so badly that when you walk away from that person you feel like you’re about to explode? Does it seem like that person always says something so rude, unkind, impolite, or derogatory that it nearly makes your blood boil when you are with him or her? Well, consider this: Have you ever had the thought that you may be rubbing that person the wrong way as well?

As I relate the following story to you, I am obligated by God to begin by telling you that, over the course of many years, the enemy I am about to describe became a friend. In fact, he is so dear to me today that I cherish every time I get to see and spend time with him. So I testify to you from the onset that the majority of horrible relational situations can be turned around if you will obey what Romans 12:18 tells you to do. That is what I want to talk to you about today.

Many years ago, I had to regularly deal with a pastor who was one of the rudest and most belittling people I had ever met in my life. But the man lived in the same city as I did, so I couldn’t avoid seeing him from time to time. Whenever he and I found ourselves in the same room, I was nearly always shocked at what came out of his mouth. He freely gossiped and spoke malicious things about other pastors and churches. Everyone was his target — including me!

Because he was a pastor in our same city, I tried very hard to get along with him. But he was one of those people who simply rubbed me the wrong way, and I just didn’t like him. And I definitely didn’t like being near him! I repeatedly asked the Lord to help me forgive the callous words he had spoken about me to other pastors and leaders. Because he and I were pastors of the two largest churches in that particular nation, I knew I had to get along with this man. Nevertheless, trying to draw close to him was like trying to hug a cactus. I got jabbed and stabbed every time I came close!

I tried to convince myself that my inner conflict with this pastor was the result of a wrong mix of personalities. But if that were the case, this man had a wrong personality mix with every pastor in our city! The truth was that he was simply an offensive person. He knew he was offensive; he enjoyed it; and he had no intention of changing. And the way he affected me was exactly the way every other pastor I knew felt as well.

After many years of struggling in my relationship with this man, I finally came to realize that although this man was mightily gifted as a public communicator, he had no people skills on a personal level. He really was ill-mannered. The problem truly was him. Because this pastor respected no one but himself and was not submitted to any spiritual authority, no one could find a way to speak into his life to help him.

So what was I to do in this situation? As I said, he and I were each pastors of the two largest churches in our city, so we were continually attending meetings in which both of us were expected to participate. Like it or not, I was going to regularly be in this man’s company. It was impossible for me to avoid the man, so I began to ask the Lord to help me know how to get along with him so I didn’t leave upset every time the two of us had to be at the same place.

The Holy Spirit led me to Romans 12:18. It says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This verse gave me direction. It provided helpful answers that enabled me to deal successfully with this difficult situation. And I believe these answers will also help you know how to deal with that person who constantly rubs you the wrong way!

Notice that the apostle Paul began this verse by saying, “If it be possible.…” The fact that he began with the word “if ” — the Greek word ei, which is like an open question mark with no definitive answer — means there may be times when we run into a case where it is not possible to have peace with all men. As we are all well aware, it can be very difficult to be at peace with some people — not necessarily because we are so difficult, but because they are hard to get along with. But remember, they may think the same of us! But regardless of the difficulty of the task or the ugly behavior of those we encounter along the way in life, the command of God remains: To the best of our ability, we must give our best efforts to be at peace with all men.

The word “possible” comes from the Greek word dunaton. In this verse, it expresses the idea of something that is potentially difficult but nonetheless doable. But because this phrase begins with the word “if,” it casts a shadow on whether or not it is truly doable. Maybe peace is attainable; maybe it isn’t. But if it is doable, you are to give it your best shot. For this reason, this phrase could be translated: “If it is doable…”; “If it is feasible…”; or as the King James Version translates it, “If it is possible….”

Paul continued to say, “…As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” The words “as much as lieth in you” come from a mixture of Greek words that means “as far as it depends on you.” This phrase points toward you and me, placing the responsibility of maintaining peace and a good attitude on us, not on the person we find to be so offensive. This clearly means that God is expecting us to do everything we can from our perspective and to give it our best to “live peaceably with all men.”

The words “live peaceably” are from the word eireneuo, a form of the word eirene, which means to live in peace or to possess peace. In Romans 12:18, it carries this idea: “Once you’ve finally obtained peace, you must determine that you are going to do your best to make sure it is maintained and kept.” In other words, instead of being a contributor to the problem, you are to do all you can to be a facilitator of peace!

And notice that Paul said we are to do this with “all men.” In my case, these words “all men” meant I had to live peaceably with the ill-mannered pastor who continually upset me with his offensive behavior. But the words the Holy Spirit used in this verse are unquestionable. The words “all men” is a translation of the words panton anthropon. The word panton is an all-encompassing word that means everyone. The word anthropon comes from anthropos, the Greek word that describes all of mankind, including every male and female of every race, nationality, language, religion, and skin color — no one excluded. There is no phrase in Greek that could be more all encompassing than panton anthropon. It literally embraces the entire human race. It does not say we have to agree with all people or condone their behavior — but as much as it depends on us, we are to be at peace with them.

At the very moment Paul wrote this verse, he and other Christians were facing horrible pagan and religious opposition from those who had no tolerance for “narrow-minded” believers. Yet it was at this same time that the Holy Spirit commanded them through this verse to do everything they could to get along with everyone.

And this same divine command is directed toward us. It doesn’t say to live peaceably only with friends, family, peers, or those who agree with us. It says that if it’s possible, we are to live at peace “with all men.” An interpretive version of Romans 12:18 could be rendered: “If it’s doable at all, then as much as depends on you, be at peace with everyone, no one excluded.”

This verse was so helpful to me when I was learning how to get along with that ill-mannered pastor. I understood that Jesus did not expect me to be his best friend, but Jesus did expect me to give it my best effort to live peacefully in that situation. If being at peace with him meant perhaps not engaging in a lengthy conversation with him, then whatever I had to do, I was determined not to live upset with this man who had been such a source of pain and irritation to me. I had to let it go, let God deal with him, and walk away from my hankering to fix or correct him. As much as it depended on me, from my side, I was going to do whatever was necessary to be at peace with him.

I know that you have relationships that trouble you, as this is true of everyone. If you’re tired of getting upset or being irritated or unsuccessfully trying to correct those individuals, perhaps you should choose the route of simply seeking to be at peace. Negotiation with a difficult person is not always possible, so sometimes the best option is simply doing whatever is necessary to be at peace. This was the message the Holy Spirit spoke to me, and I believe it is the message the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you right now as well.

So if you’re exhausted from trying to fix an unfixable relationship, and yet your contact with that person is inescapable, ask the Holy Spirit to help you deal with your own heart so that you can be at peace even with that person. That difficult relationship is part of the “all men” with whom the Holy Spirit commanded you to be at peace. As stated before, it doesn’t mean that you have to agree with that person, condone what he or she does, or discard your beliefs to obtain peace. It simply means you choose not to enter into the fray with that person any longer. You’ll be more at peace as a result, and you will be unmoved by the difficult people in your life because you have set yourself to be at peace with all men, regardless of what anyone says or does.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Lord, I thank You for speaking to my heart today. I repent for my carnal response toward certain people in my life. I confess that I have allowed myself to become irritated with them, and at times I have even been judgmental of them. Today I release forgiveness toward them, and I choose from this point onward to see myself as a force for peace. I purpose in my heart to exercise the patience that is a quality of Your love within me. I ask You for wisdom to know what to say and do and what not to say and do when I am in the presence of these individuals. Thank You for leading and guiding me in each contact I make with them.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I let the peace of God act as umpire continually in my heart, deciding and settling with finality all questions or concerns that arise in my mind. I refuse to be ruled by my emotions, and I am not moved by what I see, feel, or hear. I have the mind of Christ, and I hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart. The wisdom of God determines my responses and reactions to those I consider ill-mannered or badly behaved who are not within my realm of authority to correct. I boldly declare that I will not live my life upset or bothered by something I cannot fix. Whatever is necessary to be at peace and to remain at peace is what I will do, as I have been commanded in Romans 12:18.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever considered that you may affect someone who rubs you the wrong way the same way that he or she affects you? Are you sure that you are not somehow contributing to the atmosphere you experience when you are with that person?
  2. What do you need to do to eliminate the conflict between yourself and that individual? Since Romans 12:18 commands you to do everything from your side to be at peace, what steps do you need to take to obey that verse? Wouldn’t it be worth your time to think this through and perhaps write down a few thoughts about what you could change or do differently to have peace with that individual?
  3. Is it possible that the person who irritates you is ignorant of his insensitivity or has just never awakened to the impact he is having on others? Why don’t you take a prayerful position for him and leave him in the hands of Jesus?

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
— 1 Corinthians 2:5

I was speechless the first time I attended a meeting where I saw the power of God in demonstration! The reason I was so shocked was that from childhood, my denomination had taught me the age of miracles had passed. We had been indoctrinated that miracles such as the ones we read about in the New Testament had ceased and passed away with the death of the apostles. “Miracles were part of the apostolic age,” we were told, “and they no longer occur in today’s world.”

So you can imagine how stunned I was when I saw miracles happening right before my eyes! At that service I was attending, I remember feeling like a whirlwind of power passed through that auditorium — and with my own eyes, I saw miracles happening all around me! A miracle of healing happened here, there, and everywhere. Soon people were lining up near the stage to testify about what had happened in their bodies. Wheelchairs were emptied; paralyzed people got up from their stretchers and walked; blind eyes were opened; deaf ears were unstopped; and the mute were starting to speak!

All my doubts about God’s miracle-working power still being in operation on the earth today were eradicated that day as I watched those wheelchairs being emptied and people who had been brought in on stretchers walking and even running from one end of the stage to the other. Soon the entire front of the auditorium and the aisles were jammed with people who had come forward to give their lives to Christ.

In a matter of hours, all my denominational teaching about the lack of miracles in this present age melted away. As much as I loved my denomination, I could see with my own eyes that I had been wrongly informed my entire life. After that experience with the power of God, I was changed, altered, and forever impacted because of what I witnessed. When I went back to my church and told them what I had experienced, they tried to talk me out of it. But all of their talking was a lost cause! It was too late, because I had personally seen and experienced the power of God!

There is nothing like an encounter with the power of God to alter one’s way of thinking and believing. Often we preach and appeal to people with all the right words, but we stop short of the one thing that will put an end to all doubts: one outstanding demonstration of God’s power. A real miracle or healing demonstrated right before the eyes of doubters can have a greater impact than years of coaxing and begging. The fact is, there is NOTHING more gripping than an actual, personal encounter with the power of God! When we allow God to “show off,” that supernatural manifestation drives the message deeper into people’s hearts and makes a far greater impact than we could ever achieve with mere words.

When the apostle Paul first started preaching to the Corinthians, who were deeply pagan and immersed in gross darkness, he knew words alone would never do the job. To reach them, he would need a demonstration of God’s power. In First Corinthians 2:4, he reminded them about the manner in which he first preached to them. 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.”

In the next verse, Paul continued to tell them the reason he wanted them to see a demonstration of God’s power. He wrote, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

Just as I was so deeply impacted by the miracles I saw in that meeting many years ago, the apostle Paul knew that miracles, healings, and other displays of power would have a great impact on his listeners. If all he offered them were “enticing words of man’s wisdom,” they could argue, disagree, or debate with him. But if an unquestionable miracle happened right before their eyes — a demonstration of supernatural power that literally knocked them off their feet — they would know that God Almighty was behind the message Paul was preaching!

I’ll never forget what one great man once told me about the power of God. He said, “You can’t win an argument with a man who has had a supernatural experience.” This is true! When people have an encounter with the power of God, it puts an end to all speculation and all arguments.

Paul knew that a display of God’s power would have a great influence on his audience, so in addition to carefully crafting a message that would touch their hearts, he took it one step further and made the choice to allow the power of God to do its unparalleled work. Paul knew the power of God would melt away every doubt and put an end to all debate, so he stepped aside and allowed God’s power to show off and thus confirm that the message he preached was indeed the truth!

Paul later told the Corinthians the reason he took this approach: “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” The word “stand” in this verse is the little Greek word en, which simply means in. As used here, this word describes the medium in which faith is rooted. It could be translated, “I took this approach so your faith would not be rooted in the wisdom of men….” Then he continued to write, “…but in the power of God.”

The word en is used again when Paul referred to the power of God, which lets us know that Paul wanted his listeners’ faith to be rooted deeply in the power of God. The word “power” in this verse is the Greek word dunamis. This well-known, often-used word denotes the mighty power of God. In this verse, it denotes not merely power, but tremendous power. This word dunamis denotes God’s supernatural power, which is explosive, mighty, and awe-inspiring to those who see it or experience it.

Paul’s words in First Corinthians 2:5 could thus be paraphrased:

“I took this approach so your faith would not be rooted in the wisdom of men, but so your faith would be steadfastly rooted in the power of God.”

Don’t make the mistake of taking only a mental approach when you preach the Gospel or share the Word with people who are less informed than you are. Of course, you must use your mind to its maximum capacity. God gave you your mind and expects you to use it as you share Christ and His Word with others. But you should always get quiet in your heart first and ask the Holy Spirit what He would like to do in those moments. What needs in the lives of your listeners would He like to step in and meet supernaturally to reveal His great love for them? He’ll lead you each step of the way if you’ll stay sensitive to Him.

And if you ever come to a standstill in a conversation — when it is your word against another person’s — that may be the golden moment when you need to step aside and allow God to step in and do what only He can do! Give His supernatural power an opportunity to intervene and confirm the truth you are attempting to drive into that person’s heart.

When you come to one of those moments when the greatest efforts of your mind seem futile, yield to the power of God that resides within you and allow the Holy Spirit to do what you could never do by yourself. When the Spirit of God is finished confirming the Word with supernatural demonstrations of power, all arguments will cease, the case will be closed, and the person you are trying to reach will be convinced!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I ask You to teach me when to step aside so that You can step in to do what I cannot do. Help me to speak the right words, to say those words with the right attitude, and to speak them under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But also help me to know when words are not enough. Help me stay sensitive to You and to be bold to allow You to move through me in supernatural ways to confirm that the message is accurate and true.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that God is my Partner! It is His work to step in and do what I cannot do when I am presenting truth to people who are in darkness. The Holy Spirit’s power is always available to confirm His truth, and it is the Father’s desire to demonstrate His supernatural ability to people in order to bring them out of the darkness and into the light. So starting today, I will always ask the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His power as He desires through me. From this moment onward, I will look to Him as my Partner to flow through me with His power to fulfill His purpose in every situation and to meet the need of the moment in convincing unbelievers and doubters about the truth of God’s Word.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you think of a time when you were trying to share God or impart truth from the Word and you felt crippled or impaired to fully make the point? Did you say everything you knew to say, and still the listener did not agree with your point?
  2. Have you ever had a moment when you stepped back and let the power of God do the convincing work for you as you allowed His power to flow through you? What happened when you allowed that opportunity for the Spirit of God to work? What did God do that utterly convinced that person of the truth you were trying to impart?
  3. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, what changes do you need to make in the way you share Christ and the Word with others? Why don’t you take a few minutes to pray over what you have read today and let the Holy Spirit sink this message deep into your own heart.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.
— 2 Thessalonians 1:7

Whether we like it or not, there are moments when we run into troubling times in our lives. The trouble may arise in our job, our marriage, our children, our finances, or some other area of our lives. It can feel like there is no let-up from the constant, never-ending grind of what is happening to us. Although we can take this kind of nonstop pressure for a while, eventually it becomes too much if there is no let-up from it, and we begin to feel like we’re going to collapse from the burden we’re carrying.

If we walk in the Spirit, we can avoid many pitfalls that the devil and life try to throw our way. But the truth is, as long as we are in the world — where the devil actively seeks to kill, steal, and destroy — there will be troubles from time to time in our lives. Therefore, we need to know how to respond when we feel like we are being assaulted by nonstop problems and there seems to be no let-up or relief from the stress we’re experiencing.

I remember a time in Moscow when I was battling enemies on every front. Because our church was rapidly growing, we were in perpetual need of more finances. In addition, we had been kicked out of several auditoriums by local authorities and were about to be kicked out again. I felt like we were spending our lives searching high and low for an auditorium that would accommodate our growing church, but to no avail. We couldn’t seem to find another auditorium for our church meetings, and time was running out. I felt like I was at the end of my rope!

I lay in my bed night after night, asking God to help us find a solution to these problems. Finally, Denise said to me, “Rick, you need to get away and take a break from all this!”

I asked her, “How can I take a break when we are in such a tight jam? How can I get away right now when we’re facing so many challenges?”

She answered, “If you’ll get away and rest a little — if you’ll step back from these all-consuming problems — your thoughts will clear up. It will be easier to see the situation from God’s perspective so you can receive the wisdom you need from Him.”

I remember thinking how irresponsible it would be for me to get away during such a time of difficulty. But I was studying my Bible at that moment, and just then I saw something in Second Thessalonians 1:7 I had never seen before. Paul told the Thessalonians, “And to you who are troubled rest with us.…” When I saw that word “rest,” I reached for my Greek New Testament to look it up — and was I ever blessed when I saw what it meant!

Before I tell you what I discovered that day, let me first give you a little bit of background about what was happening to the Thessalonian church at the time the apostle Paul wrote this verse to them.

Paul and his apostolic team first preached the Gospel in Thessalonica and subsequently established the church there (see Acts 17:1-9). It was during this time that he and his team laid the first foundations for a church that would eventually challenge the forces of paganism and the hatred of the Jews. The opposition from the Jews became so intense and violent that they were driven from the city and fled to Berea (see Acts 17:10).

Because of the spiritual, religious, and political environment in Thessalonica, the intensity of persecution there was terrific — among the most outrageous demonstrations of persecution that occurred while the New Testament Church was being established. Although these believers were submitted to pounding pressures from outside forces, they refused to surrender to defeat. Day after day, they lived, breathed, and functioned without relief within this climate of extreme persecution and pressure. That is why Paul told them, “And to you who are troubled rest with us….”

The word “troubled” in this verse was a favorite word with Paul when he described the difficult events he and his team encountered in ministry. It is the Greek word thlipsis — a word so strong that it leaves no room for the intensity of these persecutions to be misunderstood. It conveys the idea of a heavy-pressure situation. One scholar says it was first used to describe the specific act of tying a victim with a rope, laying him on his back, and then placing a huge boulder on top of him until his body was crushed. Paul used this word to alert us to moments when he or others went through grueling, crushing situations that would have been unbearable, intolerable, and impossible to survive if it had not been for the help of the Holy Spirit.

Then Paul went on to say, “To those of you who are troubled rest with us….” The word “rest” is the Greek word anesis, which means to let up, to relax, to stop being stressed, or to find relief. One scholar notes that it was used in the secular Greek world to denote the release of a bowstring that has been under great pressure. It was also used figuratively to mean relaxation from the stresses of life or freedom to have a little recreation. In this case, Paul was urging the Thessalonians to find relief from the constant stress they were undergoing as a result of opposition to their faith. Paul exhorted them to let it go, shake it off, and learn how to find relief, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

An interpretive translation of Second Thessalonians 1:7 could read:

“To you who are going through difficulties right now, it’s time for you to let up, take a breather, and relax. We know what it’s like to be under constant pressure, but no one can stay under that kind of stress continuously. So join us in learning how to loosen up a bit. Shake off your troubles, and allow yourself a little relaxation and time for recreation.”

When I saw these Greek words in this verse, I told my wife, “You’re right! I need a break from all these troubles — and here’s a scripture that confirms it! It tells me I need to loosen up and allow myself a little time for relaxation and recreation.”

So I took time away from the office, refused to talk about work, and simply allowed myself to enjoy a few days with no pressure. And when I returned to work, I found that I could clearly see the answer I had been struggling to find.

If you feel depleted and fatigued, is it possible that you need to get away for a little while? Could it be that the Lord is urging you to take a breather from the constant pace you’re maintaining so you can shake off the problems and relax a little bit? Don’t you agree that when you’re under constant pressure, it affects your ability to think right and see things clearly? Now you have a scripture to back you up when you need to get alone with the Lord to pray and worship Him — or simply allow yourself some time for recreation. And don’t feel guilty about it — it’s the recommendation of the apostle Paul himself !

We live in a world that is spinning faster and faster, so we have to learn how to keep our lives in balance so we can keep our focus clear. So why don’t you start putting a little time aside for yourself so you can shake off the problems that are trying to steal your joy today!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

 

Lord, I ask for wisdom to know how to balance my life and work with times of relaxation and recreation. I am tempted to work nonstop and never take a break, and as a result, I get tired and worn out. Forgive me for not taking better care of myself. I yield to Your peace, and I resist the feelings of guilt that try to overwhelm me when I am away from my work and responsibilities. I now know that You want me to take a break from this constant pace and learn to relax a little. Holy Spirit, I thank You for helping me make this change in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I live my life in balance! I work hard, but I also set aside time for my mind and my body to be refreshed. God’s Word declares that I need to take a breather from time to time, so I do it obediently and joyfully with no feelings of guilt or condemnation. God expects me to work hard, but He also expects me to be recharged and refilled! I am making a change in my life so I can include time to be revitalized and refreshed!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you give yourself a little time for rest and relaxation, or do you feel guilty when you are not always working?
  2. Can you think of a time when you worked so hard that you nearly depleted yourself of strength, and when you took a little time off and rested, you came back to work refreshed, refilled, and recharged?
  3. When you are tired and need a break from your regular schedule, what do you do for that scheduled time of rest? What are some things you could do to make sure you have your needed time of refreshment?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
— 2 Timothy 3:16

When I was a small boy, every summer I attended the Vacation Bible School that was conducted at our church. I loved it so much! It was one of the highlights of my summertime. What wonderful memories I have of those times in my childhood! I’m so thankful that my parents loved me enough to make sure I took advantage of every opportunity to learn the Bible. That Vacation Bible School was a magnificent tool to help place God’s Word into the tender hearts of every child who participated each summer.

One of my favorite memories from Vacation Bible School was the moment when all of us children marched like soldiers into the main church auditorium and took our seats for the opening morning session each day. Once we were all in our places, the pastor stood in the pulpit, commanded us to stand, and led us in the morning Bible pledge. Every year at the beginning of each day of Vacation Bible School, we all lifted our voices and boldly proclaimed:

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

Since that time, I admit that I’ve had to regularly renew my commitment to make God’s Word the center of my life. Although I am a pastor, Christian educator, author of Christian books, and a visible Christian leader, I must conquer the same struggles that others face, including the temptation to get so busy that I unintentionally neglect the daily reading of my Bible. Time and again, I’ve spoken to my flesh, commanding it to get back in line, and I’ve deliberately renewed my commitment to make God’s Word the center of my existence.

I even find myself inwardly repeating the simple pledge I made as a child at Vacation Bible School. That pledge made such an impact on my soul as a child that I still repeat it as I once again commit myself to the daily reading of the Bible. The words of that pledge remain deep inside me and continue to impact me even to this day.

What about you? Have you made a commitment to God to read your Bible every day? Is this an area in which you’ve been on again, off again? Would you like to become consistent and regular in reading God’s Word? If you’ll allow the Holy Spirit to help you, you can win this victory in your life. And even if you unintentionally skip your reading of the Bible for a few days, don’t let the devil condemn you. Ask for forgiveness and get back on schedule.

The truth is, there is nothing more powerful than the Word of God! It has the answer to every question you will ever ask, and it contains the power to meet every need in your life. The Word promises that if you will obey it, it will produce health for your body. In essence, it is the answer to every human need.

Conversely, when you neglect God’s Word and fail to include it in your daily life, that neglect will eventually affect every part of your life. The regular absence of God’s Word from your life will jeopardize your faith, steal your joy, produce an intolerance of others, and create putrid attitudes that disgust not only God and others, but you as well! In fact, ignoring the daily reading of your Bible will affect your ability to be spiritually productive and eventually make you spiritually infertile.

Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). In the May 2 Gem of Sparkling Gems 1, I share extensive insight about the word “inspiration” in this verse. If you have not read it, I strongly encourage you to study those pages because I believe it will richly bless you. But today let’s look at the benefits of God’s Word that the apostle Paul listed in Second Timothy 3:16. Once you really understand what the Word of God does for you every day when you take time to read it, you will find yourself getting more and more passionate about protecting your Bible reading time!

Paul wrote that the Bible is “…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Let’s look at each part of this verse so we can get the full benefit of what Paul was telling us. First, he stated that the Bible is “profitable for doctrine.” The word “profitable” is the Greek word opheilo. The meaning of this word includes the idea of something that is needful or obligatory, like a debt that is owed. It can be translated as the word indebted, and it refers to something that is mandatory, essential, or an absolute requirement. By using this word, Paul was telling us that God’s Word is not optional in our lives; it is mandatory, essential, and an absolute requirement for us.

Paul connected the word “profitable” to the word “doctrine,” which is the Greek word didaskalia, the word for doctrine used in the New Testament to denote those things that we affirm and believe to be true. Some Christians sneer at the mention of “doctrine,” thinking it to be stuffy or unimportant. But that kind of attitude reveals their ignorance regarding the importance of doctrine.

Doctrine is the foundation of what we believe. It impacts what we think. It affects our worldview. It determines what we believe is right and wrong. It guides us in life, determines our convictions and standards, and affects all of our actions and activities in life.

In short, we are the product of our doctrine. Therefore, it is mandatory, essential, obligatory, and an absolute requirement that our lives be based and built on the Bible and that we must see ourselves as indebted to it. It is also very important to point out that the word “profitable,” the Greek word opheilo, was originally a word used in connection with law. Just as laws must be obeyed and we are obligated to live by them, we as believers must live our lives with the Bible as our guidebook and our law for life, obeying it absolutely to the best of our ability. If we take this approach, the power of God’s Word will be released in our lives, causing us to profit in every realm of our existence!

Next, Paul wrote that the Word of God produces “reproof ” in our lives. The word “reproof ” in Greek is elegmos and is found nowhere else in the New Testament. In the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, the word elegmos is used for conviction. When God’s Word shines into our lives, its glorious and brilliant light is so strong that it exposes every dark area that remains in our souls and minds. As the light of the Word shines on our darkness and works in our hearts and minds, we are reproved, convicted, or censured by the Holy Spirit. As a result, we don’t remain in darkness! We are changed as our minds are renewed to think correctly. What a benefit the Word of God is to us!

Paul went on to write that the Word of God brings “correction” into our lives. But wait — isn’t the word “reproof ” that is mentioned above the same as “correction”? What is the difference between these two words?

The word “correction” is actually very different from the word “reproof.” One reason it doesn’t seem so is that “correction” is a poor translation of the Greek word epanorthosis. This word is very difficult to translate, but the following is a serious attempt to convey its meaning. The word epanorthosis is actually a Greek triple compound composed of the words epei, an, and orthos. When epei and an are compounded, the new word means whenever, at any moment, or at any time. The third Greek word in this compound is orthos, which means straight, erect, upright, or level.

So let’s see what this triple compound word epanorthosis — “correction” — means in Second Timothy 3:16, where Paul used it in connection with the power of the Bible. The apostle was declaring that whenever, wherever, at any moment, or at any time a person makes the decision to build his life on the Word of God — and to allow its light to shine into the deepest parts of his being to expose the dark areas that need to be changed — that Word will release the power required for the necessary change. God’s Word will lift that person, even if he has been knocked flat on his back in life, and will set him back up on his feet again. This “correction” that comes from God’s Word will cause him once again to stand erect and upright, regardless of how long he has been down and out. The Word of God will release so much power in that person’s life that it will put him back on level ground!

Once it has put that person back on his feet, the Word of God will then become his “instruction in righteousness.” The word “instruction” in Greek is paideia, from the word pais, which is the Greek word for a child. The word paideia used in this verse means to train a child. In New Testament times, it simply meant to educate a child or to give a child everything necessary to prepare him for life. Hence, this word simply refers to child training or the process of getting a child ready for life so afterward he can be sent out fully equipped and successfully live as he was taught and trained to do. It was believed by the ancients that such child training was essential for success in life.

The word “righteousness” is dikaiosune, from the root word dikaios, which is the Greek word for that which is right or just. Although this word has a wide range of meanings in the New Testament, the form dikaiosune in this verse refers to right living or just living, and it epitomizes those who live by a righteous standard that results in upright living. When used in connection with the word “instruction,” the Greek word paideia, it tells us that when God’s Word is taken into our hearts and applied to our lives, it fully equips us to successfully live by a higher standard that leads to upright, godly, clean living.

When you put all of these word meanings together, an interpretive translation of Second Timothy 3:16 could read:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is a mandatory, essential, and absolute requirement for those things we affirm and believe to be true. It brings reproof, conviction, and censure into our lives. It can take anyone — including those who have been knocked flat on their backs in life — and it can set them back up on their feet again, regardless of how long they have been down and out. The Word of God will make them once again stand erect and upright. It will put them back on level ground, fully equipping them to successfully live life by a higher standard that leads to upright, godly, clean living.”

When you see all the benefits of God’s Word, it is amazing that you would ever skip a day of reading the Bible! There is no other book in the world like the Bible. It literally has the power to change your life and put you on a path for success.

As you start this new year, let me encourage you to renew your commitment to read your Bible every day. With all the benefits you’ve read about today, why would you not include God’s Word in your daily schedule? Yes, I know that life gets busy, but it should never get too busy to exclude this wonderful Book that has the power to put you back on your feet and keep you on level ground!

If you’ve been on again, off again in reading the Bible every day, this year is your opportunity to break this sporadic pattern and become consistent in reading God’s Word every day. The Holy Spirit is your Helper, so ask Him to help you develop a daily habit of reading the Bible. It would be a good idea to make plans to read the entire Bible this year. I promise you that by the time you’ve completed that goal, the power in God’s Word will have made a huge change in how you think, in how you behave, and in the way you see life. You’ll be a much better person because you decided to make God’s Word a central part of your existence.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Lord, I am amazed at the power of Your Word and what it can do in the life of anyone who will read it, believe it, and apply it to his or her life. Every answer I need for life is in the Bible, whether it be for healing, deliverance, marriage, children, health, business, or success. Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Word of God. Please forgive me for the times I’ve let it sit on my shelf instead of reading it, meditating on it, and incorporating it into my life. This year I ask You to help me break the pattern of being on again, off again in reading my Bible. I thank You that by Your grace, I will become a consistent reader and applier of God’s Word to every part of my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I read my Bible every day. I do not skip days, forgetting to read it. God’s words are the very center of my existence, and I draw my strength from what I read in my Bible every day. It shines its glorious light into every dark part of my soul and renews my thinking to what God thinks. I receive the conviction God’s Word brings to areas of my life that are wrong. It picks me up, sets me back up on my feet, and keeps me on level ground. The Word of God prepares and equips me with everything I need to live a successful and godly life in this world.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you have a habit of reading your Bible every day? If yes, do you really ponder the truths you are reading so you can apply them to your life?
  2. If you were advising others about how to start reading their Bible every day, what advice would you give them? Do you have a specific plan to help you read through the Bible every year?
  3. Can you think of ways that your life has been changed because of God’s Word affecting the way you think? Take a few minutes and write down ten ways that your life has been changed or strengthened as a result of making God’s Word a daily part of your life.