January 17 – MAKE IT HAPPEN

 

Now, my Lord – God – everything you have promised concerning me and my family, make it all happen in and through us; just like you said! (2 Samuel 7:25)

 

               God’s promises are numerous, generous, and gracious. Do you believe any of them enough to conduct business each day as if they are truthful? David believed. He was not perfect. He did some really bad things. But, David trusted God. God even said that David was a man after His own heart. Why would He say that?

 

               David was humble. Even as king, he knew he was subject to the Lord, God. David wanted to be obedient and faithful. He recognized that God held authority over him and he respected that authority. David loved. He loved God, and he loved his people – even enemies within his ranks. Each of these characteristics show great faith in his Lord. Jesus began many of His promises with the words, “if you have faith…”

 

               Do you have the faith of David? Will you earnestly call on God to “make it all happen” just like God says?

January 12 – PURPOSE – A COMMAND

This is what I command; that each of you continue to love the others. (John 15:12)

 

               Do you struggle to find and clearly express your life’s purpose? If you do, consider a simple possibility. You could say, “I follow Jesus.” To follow someone is to do what that person wants you to do (1 John 2:4, Ecclesiastes 12:13).

 

               Jesus explained what He wants repeatedly. He commands that you love others - as that love shows your love for Him. So, in its most simple form, your purpose; the focus of anyone’s life who is a follower of Jesus, is to love Him enough to do what He says – love other people. This idea is so very simple; even child-like. The great challenge comes when you try to apply this rule to every part of your life. You see, unless you change your statement of purpose to, “I follow Jesus at those times when I’m with nice people who treat me well,” loving other people can be very hard.

 

               Will you follow and obey Jesus in the places, and at the times, when it is hard to love?

January 11 – HOPE

 

May God – The Author of Hope – fill you with all His joy and peace so that you can keep on believing in Him as you live, and so you will overflow with hope in the Lord by the power of His Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

 

               In an earlier part of his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul explained that people develop the reliance on God that is called hope, as they experience suffering (Romans 5:3-5). How can this be true? During the last challenge you endured, do you remember being filled with God’s joy and peace?

 

               Paul explains that God gives hope by filling men and women with the confidence of His character, His strength, and His love. This knowledge, from the experience of a relationship with God, and from His promises, gives the peace which allows you to keep going in times of trouble. Also, Paul’s prayer here for God’s grace to “fill” his Roman friends reminds you that all good things come from Him. It also reminds believers to pray for those good gifts every moment.

 

               Consider all the times God has been reliable, and be filled with His Hope.

 

January 10 – COMPLETE

 

If you wish to be made whole and completed, dispose of the possessions you have and value now. Invest that wealth in the lives of others to find the real treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me. (Matthew 19:21)

 

               Is there some part of your life; something you “possess” that you are holding back from God? Is there any person or thing that you can’t give up – that you value more than you value becoming what God wants you to be?

 

               Jesus counsels this wealthy, young man not only to release his ties to what he values more than God, but he also tells him to give that wealth to those who can never repay him; people who may not deserve the gift. That sounds exactly like what Jesus did for you. With that understanding, He is really saying, “If you want to be complete, then do as I have done. Do as I am doing now. Then, come along, and continue to follow with me as I show you the way forward.”

 

               All it will cost you is everything. But, it’s worth it.

January 9 – TROUBLE AHEAD

 

Dear friends, don’t be confused and lose your way because you are mistreated and opposed, even when it’s extreme. You should expect that to happen. (I Peter 4:12)

 

               How do you respond when your very best efforts are frustrated, and even seem to cause problems rather than to solve them?

 

               Peter, who was clearly writing to people he loved, still was firm and very clear with them. As Jesus had said before, “There will be a great cost paid by each person who chooses to live God’s way.” Later in this letter (I Peter 4:16 & 19), Peter explains that you will suffer because God wills it for your good. He also says your response should be to, “praise God,” and “continue to do good.”

 

               Will you praise God while you are experiencing loss? Will you keep doing good when the world calls it bad?

January 8 – DOING RIGHT

 

I will make my word a part of their innermost being, writing it on their hearts, being their God, and them becoming my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)

 

               Do you ever hesitate to act because your worry overcomes your ambition? How often do you fear making a mistake, even as you act?

 

               When God spoke this promise through Jeremiah, He was talking about today. As a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit of God lives in you and works in you to do God’s will for your life. Jesus later promised that, “your Father will give good gifts (the Holy Spirit) to those who ask” (Matthew 7:11). God knows how you feel. He knows everything. He has lived in this world as a man. He lives today in your spirit if you are a follower. He calls you to trust that He loves you, and He wants the best for you.

 

               When you need guidance, counsel, affirmation of God’s wishes for your life, don’t worry – just ask!

 

January 7 – WHAT HE SAID

 

If you really love me, you will learn, hold onto, honor, and keep obeying what I command. (John 14:15)

 

               What are your big, religious rules? Go to church? Watch your language? Give money? Join a Bible study? Maybe you even lead a fight either for some moral cause or against some sinful action.

 

               Jesus says, repeatedly, that you show your love for Him by doing what He says to do. Someone has compiled a list of forty-nine (49) commands that Jesus issued. Have you learned these? Do you measure your life based on them? Many people have observed that you become what you focus on; what you love. Those who focus on other things, like rules, or the cost of obeying God’s calling, can’t follow Jesus with all their hearts (Proverbs 23:7).

 

               It is so clever that Jesus reveals - it is by valuing His instruction to you (and by following it), that you find a loving relationship with Him, and it also is how you show Him your love.