February 12 – NEVER TOO BIG

 Count on it – when you share in Christ’s sufferings – even when they seem overwhelming, the comfort God gives you will always be more than enough to help you endure – as you hold on to Jesus. Through Him comfort overflows.       (2 Corinthians1:15)

                Paul was explaining how the experience of suffering teaches Christians to relate to God and His loving provision in new ways. Right in the middle of that explanation, he shares this assurance. Paul says, “God will always be present, always give comfort, and always be more than enough for anything you face – as you hold on to Him.” What a promise! Can you believe this? Can God’s love be so perfect it will always be what you need?

                Yes, His love is enough – if you experience that suffering and hardship through Jesus Christ. In your life, you will suffer. There is no way to avoid hardship. Your faith; following Jesus will invite it. Many around you will tell you to run from trouble, insulate yourself from it, or numb yourself to its effects if it comes. God’s way is to face it, accept it, and then walk with Him through each experience.

                Struggling? Suffering? Overwhelmed? Hold on to Jesus, and let His comfort overflow.

February 11 – PAUL’S ENEMIES

 Even though we live in this world, we don’t fight against other men as they do with each other. Our weapon is God’s power, and our enemies are the lies and destruction in culture that oppose our Lord. We fight by being obedient to God in every detail. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

                Who is your most challenging competitor or opponent? Picture the person, not their organization or a group. When you think of this person, do you see an enemy? Or, do you see a person of great value who you should love? In any battle, identifying the true enemy is important.

                Paul clearly explains in his writing that men and women are not your enemies. Instead, like you, they can be victims of the enemy. Your role as a follower of Jesus is to be used in their rescue, and Jesus explained that this is accomplished through God’s grace. God gives you the ability to obey His command to love. Paul refused to get involved in petty arguments and fight with the people who opposed him. His faith in God overcame his fears of being harmed or defeated, so he could focus on obedience, and fight the real battles.

                Today you have the same choice. Choose your enemies wisely.

February 10 – OVERWHELMED

 Haven’t I told you? Be strong and have courage; don’t be afraid or get discouraged, because I – the Lord God – will be with you in every place you go. (Joshua 1:9)

                Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the responsibility placed upon you? Joshua certainly had reason to feel that way. He had the experience of spying on the giants of the land he was preparing to invade. So, he knew he faced a hard road ahead. He knew this was the big game.

For hundreds of years, fathers and mothers in Egypt promised sons and daughters of God’s assurance to Abraham. The whole burden; the whole future of God’s people and his promise rested firmly on Joshua’s shoulders. And, he felt alone. Everyone from his generation had died, and now his mentor, Moses, was gone too. No wonder that God told him three times, “be strong and have courage.” Now, He explains why. Joshua could be strong. He could have courage, because God promised to be with him as they entered the promised land.

                When you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that God makes the same promise to be with you, so be strong and have great courage.

February 9 – IS GOD HONORED?

 Lord, God – It’s not about us. We don’t seek glory and honor. Show your glory. Bring honor to your name. In the victory, let everyone see that you are truth. You are faithful, loving, and gracious! (Psalm 115:1)

                When it all comes down, what matters? What is your first thought when the victory is won? How about when it looks like defeat? From the Christian’s perspective, isn’t every result part of an overall victory story? If that’s true, the bottom-line should always be the same.

What matters, in every case, is that God be honored; that He be known and seen to be gracious and truthful, and faithful. God should be glorified. The Bible is full of stories where it was hard to see a win, but still, God was glorified. Very often, where you see a defeat, God is simply setting up the scene for a story that will reveal His power.

In a world where the bottom line is mostly about money and influence and fame, don’t worry about how you look, nor the results you see when you obey God. Let your measure be whether people can see the Lord in a way that He is honored.

February 8 – TONGUE TRAINING

 The Lord God Himself has given to me the tongue of His well-trained student so that I will know how to encourage and embolden those who are weary with my words. (Isaiah 50:4)

               Do your words give courage to those who depend upon you? Are they filled with hope and optimism? Do you inspire a confidence that helps them to overcome?

                God’s word through Isaiah points clearly to Jesus the Messiah. He lived this passage. Each person who came to Jesus found understanding and empathy. Jesus spoke plainly, and He brought hope with words that were true and alive. As God calls you to lead His people, He will also provide the well-trained tongue you need to encourage and strengthen the weary people who follow with you. You must will to give your life to the work of building relationships. This investment of time and energy allows you to know, understand, and empathize with your people. You are also called to spend your time, and invest your other resources to be sure that this word reaches the far corners of your community.

It takes courage and boldness to allow God to speak through you, so you must spend time with Him to become a well-trained student.

February 7 – SPEAK, CAREFULLY

 And Balaam answered him saying, “Is it not my responsibility to listen to and then speak carefully what the Lord God tells me to say?”  (Numbers 23:12)

                Have you found your voice? Have you listened intently for the Lord to give you the words to speak to your people? Have you been careful to say exactly and only what God tells you to say?

                Balaam was not perfect. He probably was fearful of the consequences of his words. But, God told Balaam to speak for Him, and he knew he needed to get it right. If your people are to understand who you are, what is important to you, and why, you too must speak. The way you live and conduct business speaks. But, without your voice; the words that clearly communicate your vision and intentions, that message can be distorted and misunderstood. When you remember that everything you do and everything you say, “speaks” to others, you will also be more intentional in your actions.

 Be careful to listen for God’s words to you, so He can provide your voice.

February 6 – IMMEDIATELY

 Jesus called to them, “Come, follow me. I’ll make you become fishers of people,” and immediately they left their nets and followed Him. (Mark 1:17-18)

                How do you react when you hear God’s voice? Do you try to dismiss it? Do you ask for counsel from other people? Do you hesitate or try to run away?

                Simon and Andrew modeled the only appropriate response to God’s call – immediately they followed Him. Surely, they had questions, doubts, and even fears – if not at first, certainly as they continued to follow Jesus. But, they addressed their questions to Him. They pressed in around Him at times when they didn’t understand or felt afraid. This simple call from Jesus has not changed. As He shows you the people He created you to serve and to love, the invitation is still, “Come, follow me. I will give you the work to do.”

                He is Lord. He has a plan for your life that is designed uniquely to fit you. Answer His call immediately.