JUNE 29 – HUMBLE ACTIONS

 God will move into the life of each person who recognizes Jesus as His son and who lives in love with Him. We know and trust and stake our lives on the love that God has for us. So that in this world, we stay in His love, and we love just as Jesus loves. (1 John 4:15-17)

                  So, if the Lord God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present in your life every day, and if His plan is to live through your life to use all that power for good, then what is your purpose as the bearer of all that good power?

                   The writer of this letter says that you should use it to love just like Jesus did. He urges you to live a life that is given away for the benefit of other people. He envisions a group of followers who hold nothing in reserve, being motivated by the love of God to spend every bit of influence and power, knowledge, and energy to enhance the lives of others. The purpose of this letter was to enable the readers, early followers of Jesus, to know and fully experience the great joy that comes from life in Christ (1 John 1:4). And, repeatedly, the writer counsels, “do what God asks,” “live your life as Jesus did,” “love others as Christ has loved you.” Your purpose, whatever the details, is to use God’s good power to love others.

                   Are you using all your power “like Jesus?” Determine today to use all God gives you to show your love for Him, and to help other people to enjoy that love.

JUNE 28 – GIVEN GOOD POWER

 The Lord our God determined the number of stars, and He calls each one by name. He is great – having all power and all understanding. The Lord, Jehovah, helps those who are humble and need Him, and presses the wicked in the ground. (Psalm 147:4-6)

                   Many people accept that power is a bad thing; that too much power will corrupt the powerful. Another common idea is that, to achieve power, you must take it away from another person. Is this your view? Do you play the world’s power games? Do you see a world where there is a limited opportunity to succeed; where only a very few can prosper, so that you must compete with everyone else?

                   The Psalmist saw the world very differently from that world-view. From his perspective, all the power belongs to God. It is not a limited, precious asset to be fought for and selfishly hoarded. Rather, in the Kingdom of God, power is generously shared. It is to be used for good; to help those in need and to overcome those who are selfishly oppressive.

                   Consider how you view power, strength, and knowledge, and how this view affects your actions. Use the power you have been given to help others rather than to achieve more power.

JUNE 27 - …. NOT A SAVIOR

 He (Jesus, Lord of all) says, “Sacrifices as burnt offerings and sin offerings were not what you wanted. You don’t celebrate these acts. He said, “I came to do your will!” And, by that act – the will of God – we are recreated and set apart for Him by His work; taking away the call for our sacrifice because He was the offering. One time for all eternity. (Hebrews 10:8-10)

                   Jesus paid the price that God required. Done. God needs no more heroes to rescue folks. You have that hero. The call on your life is to simply be faithful to that hero, Jesus, and to persevere to the end of the story that is your life.

                   When you think of your life, and the people that God has called you to lead, you may wish to find the one epic reason for which you were created. The world loves these grand stories of fate and heroism. Your story as a follower of Jesus is about Jesus. There is only one heroic, epic role for which you have been prepared – faithful, obedient servant. That is the grand role from God’s perspective. He will celebrate your loving obedience. He does want your love and faithful persistence in following.

                   Let these traits of service and obedience mark your life. Give God what He desires; what He will celebrate.

JUNE 26 – A SHEPHERD….

 Peter was deeply affected; quite hurt that Jesus asked him a third time, “Peter, do you love me so much you will pay the cost?” He said to Jesus, “Lord, you know me inside and out. You know how much I love you!” Jesus replied, “Feed my little sheep.” (John 21:17)

                   Here, John captures Jesus’ presentation to Peter of the job description for a person who will make following Jesus their vocation for life. In a word, Jesus says, “love who I love, how I tell you to love them.” Remember, Jesus identified himself as the bread of life (John 6:35). When telling Peter to feed the weak, little sheep, He was not only saying, “make sure they eat,” but also “give them Me.” Given the challenge as to how dearly Peter loved Jesus, Peter must have understood that his calling was to give his very own life for the benefit of others, so they could know and grow in Christ.

                   The job you are called to do, as you lead your people, is to love them as Jesus loves them, feeding them at your cost; feeding them the bread of His life, and paying for that meal with your life as He did with His own.

                   Do you love Jesus so much you will pay the cost of feeding His sheep? Feed them as He sends them to you – one at a time.

JUNE 25 - …. NO MATTER WHAT

My only food – my tears – all day and all night, all while they humiliate me; taunt me saying, “Where is your God, now?” All day long they laugh and scoff. (Psalm 42:3)

                   The context of this writer’s panting for God is in a place (among enemies), at a time (in exile from the throne), that other people are challenging David for answers. They are asking him to explain God; to defend his trust in a seeming powerless, absent deity. Should David ad-lib? Should he try to vindicate himself? Or God? Not this believer. He would simply, patiently, humbly continue to seek God’s presence and comfort.

                   How about you? Dark days come. God seems to have left you at the moment you need Him most. Will you continue to pursue Jesus, and only Him, when the answers come slowly, while the personal costs rise, and while others laugh at you and make fun of you and your God? Or, will you lose patience with the Lord, and find the world’s most effective way to achieve the result that you think is appropriate? It is at this time of struggle, when life comes down to these simple questions, that you will know if you believe.

                   Persevere in faith. Pursue God’s presence until He acts. Wait on the Lord. 

JUNE 24 – ONLY ONE SOLUTION….

My heart needs and desires you just like the parched deer stag pants for the refreshment of the cool stream. Yes, my soul is literally thirsty for the living God. When can I return to Him? When can I be in His presence again? (Psalm 42:1-2)                

                   This Psalm is thought to be written by David, or a choral director with him, after they fled from David’s son, Absalom. Again, on the run, you may have expected David to long for the luxury of his palace or the cheers of his people. But, David valued the relationship he had with God most of all. He didn’t value property, power, or praise more than that. He needed God.

                   Think of a time you acted without consulting God. Rather than considering the outcome, think for a moment about the arrogance you showed when you did that. You were saying, “I, a child of God, who has told everyone I am devoted to following Jesus in every part of my life – have decided that I can choose not to follow when I want.” Have you truly given your life to Christ if you can say that?

                   Take Jesus seriously. Recognize the value of relationship with God, and only pursue Him and His will for your life.

JUNE 23 - ….AND NOTHING ELSE

 Jesus, even though He had the very character of God, did not seek recognition as God. No, He took on the appearance of a man. He took off the things that would bring Him recognition, choosing to simply serve others as if He were their servant. (Philippians 2:6-7)

                   Do you want to matter? Are you trying to find something important to do? If yes is your answer, Is that consistent with your vocation as a follower? The goal of significance is common, especially among accomplished leaders. But, even when motivated by an intent to accomplish something for God, self-designed efforts just don’t pleased God.

                   Paul shows Jesus was completely aware of this, as God and as man. His nature – His character, was that of God. But, His work was to be man. He was to be the perfect man, so therefore, He simply became a man who was an obedient servant to God; showing mercy to God’s people. How amazing that the Holy Spirit led Paul to write in a way that brought together God’s desire for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) and love (Mercy) (Hosea 6:6) more than sacrifice. Obedience equals love. Mercy to men and women God loves is the evidence of our love for God.

                   Choose the path of insignificance, and embrace loving obedience to the Lord.