Laugh anyway…

This has been somewhat of a tough week. The specifics aren’t so important… but I have a friend who is teaching me to laugh even in the midst of hard times. (And he probably doesn’t even know it!)

So here are some of the moments that have brought a smile to my face this week:

• Getting trapped in road construction (a bunch of dead ends and closed roads) and trying to find my way out… with a cop following me the whole time – U-turns and all! 
• Waking my nephew up from his nap and seeing him peek mischievously at me as he pretends not to hear me
• Receiving a text message from my best friend, telling me about a trick she had played on one of her coworkers (*How did it turn out?!?!)
• The code words one of my friends made up so we can talk in front of others without them knowing what we were referring to… believe me, the timing made them even funnier!
• Watching my niece feed her little sister and then put her to sleep
• Reading some of the answers on a survey our church just did… some people are just silly!
• My team’s battle with the Konica (our lovely printer/copier). Let’s just say the Konica won last week… but we’ve got reinforcements now and we’re NOT going to withdraw!!!

Proverbs 15.13 – “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

Proverbs 12.25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

The New Leap of Faith (pt 2)

He was just an ordinary man chosen to help distribute food to the needy in their city. And yet, it’s easy to see the impact he had on the world through his obedience and commitment to Christ. Stephen was described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). He was one of seven men who were in charge of passing out food to the widows, but he also proclaimed the Gospel to others.

Some men who heard him speaking weren’t happy with what they heard and set up false witnesses against him. Stephen was arrested and brought before the high council to be judged. What does Stephen do? He continues to proclaim God’s Truth to the very people who condemned him! Instead of accepting the invitation to follow Jesus, they were enraged and stoned him to death.

As Stephen is being pelted with large rocks, he utters an incredible prayer: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Those who witnessed his life and death couldn’t help but see his faithfulness to Christ. He was willing to die. He even prayed like Christ: “Receive my spirit” and “forgive them.”

Being Jesus’ disciple isn’t easy. It may lead to being teased or rejected. It may cause us to sacrifice some relationships and worldly pleasures. But it is worth it! Are you ready to renounce everything else in order to follow Jesus?  

• How do people tend to view Christians today?
• Read Luke 5:27-32. Think about what Levi’s actions meant. What did he give up? How did he impact his world for Christ?
• Read Acts 4:13-14. What did other people notice about the disciples?
• What do other people notice about you? Can they describe you as a person “full of faith and the Holy Spirit”? Pray about the impact you are having on others in your life.

The New Leap of Faith (pt 1)

She had heard of the Israelites’ God… that He had given the land of the Canaanites to the people of Israel, that He had fought on Israel’s behalf, that He had parted the Red Sea so His people could pass through. She knew that God had been faithful to His people. And now Rahab has to make a tough decision: stay with her people in Jericho, or ask to join the Israelites.

If she stayed in Jericho, she would be protected by the Canaanite army in the upcoming battle and be surrounded by people she knew. She would be in a place she was familiar with. But if she decided to help the Israelite spies and the guards of Jericho found out about it, she could lose her life. Besides, she only had the promise from a few spies that she and her family would be saved when the Israelites attacked Jericho. What if the spies were lying? Talk about a leap of faith!

You can read Rahab’s story in Joshua, chapters 2 and 6. For now, consider what it would have been like to be in this position. What is the “risk” for you? How might others respond to your decision to follow Jesus? What might you lose? 

• Spend some time in silence before continuing. Eliminate any distractions or noises.
• Think about the believers you know. What have they given up in order to follow Christ?
• Review Luke 9:57-62. What kinds of things get in the way of our following Him completely?
• Read Hebrews 11:29-31. What do these verses tell us about the faith of the Israelites and of Rahab?
• Do you want to see what a “new leap of faith” might look like? Consider reading Charles Sheldon’s book, In His Steps. This classic Christian novel allows us to see people count the cost of following Christ and fully surrender to Him.

Sitting at His Feet (part two)

The demon-possessed man begs Jesus to be able to travel with Him, and Jesus says, “No.” How difficult it would have been to hear this! I offer to leave everything I’ve ever known to be with Jesus, and He tells me no?! But listen to what Jesus said: “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39).

In essence, Jesus tells him to go back to the city where people had known him at his worst, seen his shame, seen him completely crazed and exposed, and tell them about Jesus. Because this was the place he would have the greatest impact for Christ. These people had already seen the change in him, and they were afraid. Jesus wanted him to stay and proclaim the Truth.

It’s not so important, whether we go or stay. What is important is that we’re listening for God’s direction and following Him – willingly and completely. Is there any area in your life where you are heading away from Him? Are there any commands of His that you aren’t obeying? Be intentional about the time you spend in His presence. Like the demon-possessed man who was healed, sit at His feet and listen to what He has to say. 

• Take a few minutes simply to sit in His presence.
• How do you usually respond when you hear “no” to something you want a “yes” to?
• Read John 4:1-26. How does Jesus interact with this woman? What does that tell us about the way He interacts with us?
• Read John 4:28-30, 39-42. How did the woman testify about Jesus?
• Ask God to share His heart with you.

Sitting at His Feet (part one)

*To help put this into context, the message this weekend (for which these devotions were written) includes an interview with a man in our congregation who is answering the call to become a missionary to the people of Papua New Guinea.

We hear a message like this and feel “something” calling us to leave everything we have to go and serve Christ. It can be a good thing, a biblical response to what God is doing in our hearts. That willingness to go on His behalf is an act of surrender and worship. And yet… what happens when He says, “No”? What do we do then?

In the book of Luke, we read about someone who is simply known as “the demon-possessed man.” He didn’t wear any clothes and he lived in a cemetery. For awhile, he was even bound with chains and kept under guard. Not exactly someone that people in the city wanted to get close to. But then, he meets Jesus. And the next thing the townspeople know is that he is “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). Here’s the deal: when Jesus turned to leave the city, this man begged Jesus to go along with Him. He was ready to follow Jesus. And Jesus said, “No.”

Let’s just sit in this for a while. This man offers to leave everything he has ever known so he can follow Jesus. Are you ready to go anywhere for Him? To do anything for Him? If so, take time to offer yourself to Him. If not, spend some time in silence and prayer, asking God to reveal to you what is keeping you from doing so.

• Ask God to strengthen your faith and empower you to remain obedient to His calling in your life.
• What is one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to give up?
• Read Luke 5:1-11. How did these first disciples meet Jesus? What does verse 11 tell us?
• Read Matthew 19:16-22. What did Jesus ask this man to do? How did the man respond?
• Which one are you like: the first disciples or the rich man? What might Jesus be calling you to give up (or leave) for Him? Are you ready to offer that to Him?

All it takes

All it takes is a look… and I know I’m not alone.

A quick glance from across the room. A short email sent in a timely moment. Maybe it’s a pat on the shoulder as they walk past me, or a head popping in the office door to say “hey.”

This past week, there are several people I know who are hurting. A lot. I’ve been scratching my mind trying to find ways to let them know I’m here. A note, an email, a phone call. In some ways, I feel like I’m smothering them… overwhelming them. I want to give them space, I want to leave room for God to work and minister to their souls… but I also want to let Him minister through me. And so I’m trying to discern that balance.

You know what I’m realizing? I don’t think any of us realize how much those “little things” mean, unless we’re the ones receiving them.

How often do we think to send a text message or e-card to someone “just because”? How often do we let our fear of interrupting someone get in the way of letting them know we care? How often do we let those silent moments of simply “being” together slip through our fingers, only because we think we have to talk?

My friends, are we willing to do the little things to let others know we’re there? Yes, let’s do this when they’re having a tough day, but let’s also do it when they’re having a good day. Let’s celebrate with them when they’re happy, and come alongside of them when they are upset or frustrated.

Is there someone who needs to know that you’re there?

Well… what are you waiting for?

Keep Following Jesus

One day, Jesus will return. He will come to give a final judgment, give believers a glorified body, and welcome us to the new heavens and earth. In the meantime, what are we supposed to do? Keep following Jesus.

Throughout the New Testament, believers are encouraged to keep spreading the gospel, to stand firm in the truth, to pray at all times, to help the weak, and to serve one another. They are told to be generous, loving, patient, and faithful. In essence, we are supposed to imitate Christ.

So, my friends, let’s imitate Him. Let’s take the time to get to know – really know – Him, learning not just facts about who He is or what He loves, but actually experiencing Him. Let’s allow God to work in our hearts, transforming our desires and purifying us from the things that are keeping us from Him. Let’s follow those divine promptings to reach out to other people, even if it is an “inconvenience” on our part. Let’s show others the hope that we have in Him. For we are “children of God… in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

• Settle in to a quiet area where you can focus on God.
• Think back to our Light in the Darkness series. Have you been “shining brightly for Him”, or are you “growing dim”?
• Read Ephesians 5:1-2. What are we told to do? Why is this so important during the times and culture that we live in?
• Read John 15:1-8. What is the result of our “abiding in Christ”? What does it mean to “abide” in Him? How does this relate to imitating Him?
• I encourage you to read the Gospels over the next few weeks, focusing on Jesus’ words and behaviors. Seek to know Him more deeply so that you can imitate Him more fully.

Know His Hope

The smell was unforgettable. As they walked along the road, many saw their friends and family members hanging on crosses. Some served as human torches, lighting the path for others to see. Others had to fight vicious animals in the coliseum as people sat by, entertained by their struggle to survive. In the early days of Christianity, believers endured some of the most heinous acts that could be committed against a human being. But nothing – NOTHING – could take away their hope. As the writer of Hebrews describes, “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…” (11:37).

How could they hope in the midst of all this? They were looking forward to something better. What is difficult for so many of us to imagine was an everyday reality for them: one day, Christ would return and take them Home. They didn’t just think about it every now and then; they lived it. They knew their God was faithful and would keep His promise to them. Just like our forefathers who “died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

As we think about the things involved in the End Times – the antichrist, the tribulation, the rapture – let us remember that we have a reason to hope: God wins. He wins! Do you truly believe that?

• What are some of the things that believers “endure” today? How do those things affect our attitude and beliefs?
• Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. How is this verse an encouragement to believers?
• Read Jude 17-25. What does Jude say to believers? What is his prayer at the end?
• Spend some time in prayer, asking God what it would mean for you to live in light of His Truth. What would be different in your life? Are you willing to make those changes?

Something God planned

So it seems like no matter what way I turn, I am surrounded with references to the story of Jim, Nate, Pete, Roger, and Ed – the five missionaries whose story is shared in Through Gates of Splendor. A friend gave me a magazine today that included a couple of articles about Steve Saint (son of Nate) and his view on his father’s death.

To set the context, know that the families of these five guys stayed in the area and continued to minister to the Auca Indians (called ‘the Waodani’ below). Their wives, their children, their sisters… they STAYED. Can you even imagine what that must have been like?

This is what Steve said:

“I [am] forced to conclude that God didn’t just allow this to happen… I think this is something God planned, and used the Waodani to carry out. And I think it would be a real stretch, from anything I’ve seen over the last fifty years, to think He planned it primarily to reach the Waodani….

“[The deaths] had some impact on them… But [the Waodani] lived in a culture in which they killed all the time. They expected to die at any time. So one more killing of five foreigners wasn’t any big deal to them. What it was a big deal to was the outside world. The people here in the U.S. and Europe and Canada and much of South America were transfixed by the disappearance of these five missionaries, wondering, ‘Why would they risk their lives to do something like this?’”

Indeed. Why WOULD they risk their lives, except for the fact they had already surrendered their lives to Christ and were living for HIM and HIS glory…

What does God have planned for me?

Sold-Out Life

Though I’ve passed off the book Through Gates of Splendor to a friend of mine, I continue to make my way through the journals of Jim Elliot, one of the missionaries that the book is about. Imagine my surprise when I see the name of my hometown mentioned… good ol’ Huntington. Evidently Ed McCully (one of the other missionaries) and Jim spent some time in the very place I was born and raised. And somehow, seeing that town mentioned in his journal… reading his prayers for that city… brings an entirely different dimension of reality to what he is sharing.

Jim writes, “Bill and I were much exercised last night about Huntington… We had asked before that an assembly be started there, but now it seems there are several souls ripe for gathering.”

While living in the town, he prays, “I need wisdom here, Lord, and power. These people are weary of men. They have need of Thee. Let me see souls here brought to knowledge of Christ, as in Milwaukee. Give opportunity to preach. Build an assembly in Huntington.”

Jim didn’t stay long in Huntington. God placed a different burden on his heart – to take the Gospel into the jungles of Ecuador.

Where has God placed you? Do you have a passion to reach a particular people group? Do you connect really well with “outsiders”? Has God placed a country or city on your heart? Whatever His leading, follow it! And immerse your journey in prayer.

Jim writes, “Word came from Ed McCully today regarding his exercise before the Lord to quit school and begin looking for open doors for a sold-out life.” Let’s do more than simply look for that open door. Let’s walk right through it, living life completely sold out for Christ!