February 4 – REAL LIFE

 The Spirit arrives when He wants, and you see what He does, but you don’t see Him. You don’t know how nor when He acts, nor His intentions for the future. Just like the wind that blows, so is the Spirit’s work in every person to whom God gives life in His Son. (John 3:8)

                Are you willing to live your life depending on the Spirit, as Jesus describes Him? Can you risk your life on this Spirit you can’t control? Go to places He will show you? Do work you may not even understand?

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that when you are first born, physically, your spirit doesn’t live. It is only when the Holy Spirit breathes into you, making you one with Jesus, that you share in His life. This is the second birth; the birth of the Spirit. Imagine the person who enjoys hang gliding, jumping from a sheer cliff, and trusting the wind is present and moving below to keep them from plummeting to certain death. If you want the freedom of life in Christ, you must make a similar choice. Nicodemus shook his head saying, “How can this be (verse 9)?” Simon Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God! (Matthew 16:16)”

What do you say? Are you ready to live the real life?

February 3 – GOOD WORKS

 God freely gives to you all that you need in every situation, in each moment, and in everything you do, so that you readily find all you need for every good work.

 (2 Corinthians 9:8)

                Why do you keep fighting all the challenges each day? Problems with employees, customers, revenue, costs, regulations, taxes, and the like are everyday issues. It makes work hard. So, why do you enter that battle, and take risks that few others would dare? What is your reason?

                For believers, Paul has a one-sentence explanation. He gives that reason, “Why?” in three easy pieces; the object, the source, and the purpose of your work. Paul explains that the Lord is in everything you do. God is the object of your work “in each moment.” He’ll be the source that fills your need “in every situation.” Paul explains that the Lord will provide both the work, and everything you need to do that work. Finally, he explains that the Lord will make your life produce works that are truly “good works” – your purpose.

                If you will see God’s vision as your reason, look to Him as the source for everything, and find the person in whom you are to invest every moment, your work will be called a “good work.”

February 2 – I PROMISE

 (Jesus has always been absolute truth) because His life made every promise of God – all of them – become reality. He is the “yes” of God; the genuine truth. So, now we can say a confident, “Amen.” – so be it – through our faith in Christ, and He is glorified as He acts through us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

                When did you last break a promise you made to someone? Sometimes, you make promises consciously. Sometimes, others read your actions, misunderstand, and you may create a promise that you did not intend.

                Paul is addressing people who feel he has broken his promise to them. He takes great care to explain and be clear about the circumstances – saying finally, “We represent Christ Jesus who is truth. We don’t make promises like others who never intend to be held accountable.” If the Lord is to act in and through your life in a way that your actions are true; a way that Jesus will be glorified, you must be serious and clear about your promises, and then follow through.

                Guard your words. Guard your actions. Be intentional. Be serious. Most importantly, be Spirit-led so that Christ’s “yes” will mark your life.

February 1 – PAUL’S PEOPLE

 During the night, a vision was shown to Paul. He saw a Macedonian man standing before him, urgently pleading with Paul to, “Come over here to Macedonia and help us!” (Acts 16:9)

                Who are your people? God loves people. The entire history of God’s relationship with men and women has been a story of that love. As you follow Jesus, becoming a part of that story, His history becomes your heritage. You begin to see your life as His work to help other people. The Lord will call you into relationship with specific people.

When Paul was given this vision, he immediately began to respond to it. Paul changed his plan on a dime. He still made tents. He still preached Jesus. He continued to face both positive results and epic challenges along the way. What changed was simply the “who.” Paul clearly had given the Lord control over where he would be, and with whom he would relate. Paul wanted to go to China, but God created him as part of His plan to love the people of Greece.

                He created you to love and help specific people too. Ask the Lord to give you vision to find those people today.

January 31 – THE ONE THING

 

Hear me! Our God; the only God, is the Lord. He is your Lord and your God. Love Him with all your emotion and intellect. Love Him with everything you are and all you can do. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

 

               Think of a time when you made a big decision; one that would require a great portion of your resources (time, energy, money). A big investment, or an all-consuming business deal may come to mind. Maybe you are thinking of a huge personal commitment to a spouse or family member. Did you take that decision to God? Did you ask for what He wanted, rather than asking Him for what you wanted?

 

               Moses explains here that God expects to entirely consume your attention. With this explanation, there is no room for you to reserve any portion of your life. Moses also says that God expects to be your motivation for everything you do and everything you are. Again, there is no allowance for you to see any part of your life as a place where God does not control your actions.

 

               Tell God today that you want Him to consume your thoughts and control your actions. If you are serious, He will do it.

January 30 – ONE HOPE

I pray that all who believe may be one; the way you, Father are in Me, and I am in you, so they will be one in us too. Then, the world will have hope and believe that you sent me. (John 17:21)

 

               Where does community rank in your list of priorities for those you lead? How important is it to you that these people see your group as a distinct people? Have you given them a hopeful vision and the values that can set them apart?

 

               For Jesus, an intense common unity and fellowship was the one thing He asked of the Father for you and all others who would come to know Him as Lord. Only through this oneness of each person looking to the Father, each moment, just as Jesus did, can your community share the Hope of His love. Only then, will His Spirit be alive in you through Jesus Christ.  For a believer; a follower of Jesus, He is the Hope of the world. Jesus says that for others to believe and be changed, His church - including you and your people - must be united. Hope requires unity!

 

               Real unity fosters a culture that brings change in the lives of others in the community. Community is job one!

January 29 – WHAT DO YOU WANT?

 Jesus called the crowd to gather around Him with His disciples and said, “Whoever wants to live this life with me must give up pursuing what you want. Instead, forget about yourself, embrace the suffering you will experience in this world, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

 

               What do you want? No, not the acceptable, honorable, public answer. Deep inside you, what do you long for? Security? Acceptance? Significance?

 

               Jesus explains very simply and directly that following Him is not possible if you keep pursuing these goals that other people around you are seeking. This world offers a long list of diversions to fill any emptiness you may want to fill. Considering the many alternatives, and the strong attraction they have, Jesus spoke in clear, concise terms; “give up,” “forget about,” literally “take up your cross daily.” He was preparing would-be followers for an experience that would look a lot like His own life. Following Jesus, you will spend your life; giving yourself to other people so that they will come to know the Lord. This message is for you too.

 

               You must want Jesus Christ most and only, if you want to experience the life He offers.