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 16 – ABRAM’S BELIEF

 

The Lord God appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” So, Abram built an altar, taking ownership in God’s name. Because he believed – Abram acted! (Genesis 12:7)

 

               Does God ever tell you to do something that doesn’t make sense to you? How do you respond when that happens? Is your first thought about “how” you should get started, or is it about “whether” you should act?

 

               Abram, at seventy-five (75) years of age, having moved his wife, his family, and all his other people and possessions three hundred miles, stood on the edge of a new country. He could see the land was occupied by other people. He knew that he had no children. He understood that the promise was not even that he would personally benefit. Rather, the benefit was for generations to come. Yet, Abram’s first response was to act – saying, “Yes, Lord.”

 

               Will that be your answer? Will you say, “yes,” and trust in the vision God gives you for a people?

January 15 – IN WITH THE NEW

 

Anyone who comes to faith in Christ becomes a new person. Look! See how the old ways are gone, and a brand-new life begins. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

               Do you want to be a new person? Some people, especially those who enjoy success in life, don’t really want to put their successful formula at risk. They don’t want a new life unless it’s guaranteed to be a better life – on their terms.

 

               Paul explains that you must be ready to abandon any old way that is inconsistent with the brand-new life you begin when you follow Jesus. Is there anything (relationship, possession, place, identity) old that you want to hold onto, no matter what? If so, understand that your decision is about whether you will have another god. It makes the importance decision even more clear as you realize that Jesus will not share you with that other god.

 

               Decide today that you will trust Him and pursue the new life He offers. Let go of anything that stands in the way.

January 14 – THE GIFT

 

No one can show greater love than this, that he or she willingly, gladly decide to spend his or her life for the benefit of friends. (John 15:13)

 

               It would be easy to read this passage and think only of the heroic. Many people are stirred to action in times of immediate danger. But, are you intentional in giving your life in the everyday, boring times? Will you intentionally choose to invest time and energy in the everyday life of another person, given there will be times when you know it will cost you something?

 

               During this conversation with His followers, Jesus explained three truths. First, He reminded them that their time together had been possible only because He willingly, gladly spent His life each day for them. Second, Jesus gave them a way to understand His crucifixion that was soon to come. It was His ultimate gift of love. Finally, He explains to them, and to you, that His true friends will spend each day being “spent” so that others will learn this love.

 

               You received this gift. Will you give it?

January 13 – PURPOSE – THE JOY

 

I have told you these things, that my joy – the great delight and happiness I have in My Father – will be in you too, and so you will experience this joy fully and completely like I do. (John 15:11)

 

               Do you feel “great delight and happiness” at 9:00am on Monday morning? Jesus says that you can!

 

               The context of this promise of full and complete joy; this “thing” he has told you,” is an invitation to a life focused on the Father. Jesus explains that a prosperous, fruitful life comes from an intimate, personal relationship with Him. It is recorded in John 15:1-8 that Jesus used an illustration of a vine and its branches to show that this relationship engages both you and Him, together in every moment; united in producing very good results that are the result of a shared life. On the other hand, if what you feel consistently is far from delight and happiness; if you don’t see lives changing around you each day, there may be something missing.

 

               How can you “delight” in every moment? Spend each moment with Jesus.

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.