The Snare

In Luke 7 John the Baptist was imprisoned and sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the One or should they expect someone else. Jesus sent back the message of observable evidence - that he had healed the sick and lame, raised the dead, and preached the good news to the poor. The NIV Study Bible says that "Jesus did not want discouragement and doubt to ensnare John." I had never thought of doubt and discouragement as snares, but if you think about it, they are deadly ones. Doubt questions the goodness and power of God. Discouragement takes our courage away and keeps us from doing those bold things that bring glory to God and help to men. Don't let yourself be ensnared. God is who He says He is and God can do what He says He can do. Read the Scriptures and find words of faith.

Encouraging words

Acts 15:31-2: The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas...said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

We are all in need of encouragement. Most of our encouragement comes through words. Ask the Lord to give you words of encouragement for others.

The ill-timed truth we might have kept --
Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung?
The word we had not sense to say--
Who knows how grandly it had rung?
--Edward Sill (The Fool's Prayer)

God's Song

Never forget the unending love and mercy of the Lord. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Reflect on this thought: God takes great delight in you! We stumble, we fail, but our heavenly Father delights in our feeble efforts. Even now He is singing over you!

The Desert Song by Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life in every season
You are still God,
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I received I will sow

Dying

"We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also is revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over the death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body." I Cor. 4:10-11

No one could have ever dreamed up the Christian faith. A death that leads to life; dying so that we might live. "When God calls a man, He bids him come and die." (Bonhoeffer). Dying to selfishness, envy, pride, greed, and vanity is difficult and we never get good at it. Nothing leaves us emptier than being full of ourselves. Nothing gives us greater joy than emptying ourselves and being filled with God's Spirit.

Choices

This is nothing new, but something I've been thinking about. Everyday we make choices, mostly small ones, sometimes big ones. They each have an effect on our lives. Every time we choose to do the selfish thing, the vain thing, the greedy thing, the arrogant thing, the easy thing, we turn a little away for God. Every time we choose to act selflessly, humbly, lovingly, sacrificially, we draw a little closer to Him. Choices determine more than we can imagine.

Worthless things

Psalm 119:37a - "Turn my eyes away from worthless things." How often do we turn our eyes toward worthless things? This is a question we all need to ask ourselves everyday. Life is precious and every moment should be spent wisely. Of course, that doesn't mean that there should be no time for fun. Fun activities have their place and are important for relieving stress and keeping in tune and in fellowship with friends and family. Work activities can be just as condemning. Do we work for the glory of men or for the glory of God and His eternal purposes? The Scriptures command us to examine ourselves. We need to often take stock of our lives and examine what needs to be changed. I hope to begin every day with this prayer: "Turn my eyes away from worthless things."