March 1 – WHAT YOU GAVE ME

 Then, the one who received just one talent responded, “Master, I know you are very tough and demanding. So, I was terrified that I might lose your money. Here is what you gave me. I return it to you whole.” (Matthew 25:24-25)

                Are you prepared to invest everything you are and everything you have on God’s behalf? Do you trust that you were given your “everything” by the Lord for that one purpose, and that purpose alone?

               If you do believe that your everything has purpose, but you hesitate to fully submit to God’s plan, maybe it’s because you identify with the man who received one talent. You see, this servant worked his way through some simple logic to a very bad decision. He thought, “I’ve considered what the master said, and I know he will be angry if I lose what he gave me.” Then, he became afraid. He feared that he wouldn’t be up to the challenge. So, he decided to do nothing. He would conduct business on his own terms, with his own money. This man determined that he knew what his master wanted, and that the master simply demanded too much. In fact, he was a coward, and yet he dared to blame his master for his cowardly actions.

               As the Holy Spirit calls you to concentrate all your attention on God, and invest all He has given you in His plan for your life. Will you trust Him – or will you be fearful that you will fail?

February 28 – GREAT LOVE

 And with that hope, let us concentrate our love on one another, considering how we may encourage one another, share God’s love, and do His good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

                Is accountability a word you see as negative? Do you think of strict discipline or harsh enforcement? In God’s kingdom, accountability is a measure of love.

                Paul continues talking about the great hope that believers have in God and His promises. Now, he explains the purpose of this hope is that it frees you to show love to other people. What more appropriate way to love another, than to hold up the truth of your hope in the Lord’s promises as a standard for the people you lead? Paul says to encourage people to trust that God will please Himself with their lives, if they will simply hold on tightly to Him. That is genuine accountability. It does not condemn. It is not mean-spirited. It is not self-serving in any way. Rather, real accountability is the great love that compels you to think of, and invest in, others as your calling - and your promise to serve them.

                Make accountability a part of your work today. Challenge, encourage, and concentrate your love on those whom you love and lead.

February 27 – GREAT HOPE

 We must be holding on tightly to the hope that we have claimed to have – without falling away, because our Lord who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

                What is faith? Of all that faith is, and all that it implies, it is – at its beginning – a hope. The hope that God can be trusted to keep His promises consistently and fully under any circumstance is the essence of real faith; the kind of faith that changes your life.

                Paul encourages his readers to, “hold tightly” and not, “fall away” or waver in their hope. His advice is vital, because he has taught them a faith that involves action. Paul has urged these people to enter and fully invest every part of their lives in Christ-centered living. In the first century, as now, that was a dangerous thing to do. Only with assurance of God’s faithfulness, could they (or can you) expect to hold to the faith that allows you to be consistent day after day.

                Believe the Lord’s promises and rely on your hope as your motivation to live for Him today.

February 26 – GETTING PAID

 ….. even though the more I love you… the less I am loved. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

                Is “getting paid” why you do what you do? If yes is your answer – in any part of your life – you are imposing your own valuation system on a life (yours) that you say belongs to Jesus. Isn’t your compensation His call? If you are to obey God, and you are being spent by Him for the good of other people, getting paid is not the goal. The goal is simply to be faithful – to do what the Spirit of God leads you to do.

                Paul explains this clearly, “I fully intend to continue investing myself and all that I have in you, even though you oppose me while I do it; even if you come to hate me.” You are sent to bring the light of God’s love to dark corners of the world. Those who live in the dark are there by choice, and they often react violently when God’s Holy Spirit convicts them of their condition. If you are the one bringing the light, you may be the object of their fear, shame, and even their anger.

                Will you eagerly continue to invest your life when your payment is rejection and hatred?

February 25 – BEING SPENT

 I will very happily spend everything and spend even my very life for your souls…. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

                Oswald Chambers observed that, “Jesus Christ helped Himself to his (Paul’s) life.” That is the perfect description of humility. Paul knew his appropriate place in the world. His attitude was that he was exactly (not merely) an instrument in the hand of his Lord. What is your role? Is it not the same? If so, is it your responsibility to spend all of yourself – even give your life, desires, and reputation for others whom God selects as recipients of that love?

                Understanding, accepting, and embracing the right relationship of complete surrender to the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present and loving Lord is vital to your relationship with Him. This is the attitude Jesus modeled as He said, “I came down from heaven, not that I may do my will, but he will of Him who sent me. (John 6:38)”

                Choose to spend – and be spent – wisely!

 

February 24 – A CHANGED LIFE

 Suddenly, the Spirit of the Lord will take control of you, and animate every action, and you’ll be a new man. After this, just do what you find to do because God is with you. (1 Samuel 10:6-7)

                At the end of a very long week, have you wondered what it would be like to accept Jesus’ offer to rest in Him? Do you sometimes long for the rest and peace that He promises (Matthew 11:28-30)?

                Samuel describes the life that you live once God changes you. He tells Saul what to expect, and how to act when he is transformed into a new man – a man fit to be the first king of Israel. God has given you a kingdom; a people whom He loves and whom you are to lead, to influence, and to love. He intends that they too will be changed (2 Corinthians 5:17), be led to unity (John 17:21) in the Lord (John 10:30), and become a new people – alive in His kingdom. The one requirement of you is that you allow the Spirit of the Lord to take control of you, and animate every action – making you become a new person.

                You can rest in Jesus. Simply trust Him, and what He shows you to do. He will be with you if you ask Him to take control of your life.

 

February 23 – A CHANGED HEART

 Simon, I have prayed for you; that your faith may not fail. And when you repent, and your heart is changed, let your experience – your weakness – help you to strengthen the others. (Luke 22:32)

                Do you harbor shame or guilt in your life that haunts you? Have you overlooked, mistreated, or even betrayed another person? Did you selfishly cower in fear at a time you should have helped someone? Are you struggling to believe that you are forgiven? Stop It – Now - Today!

                Notice – Jesus assures you that He is on your side in such times of struggle – an advocate, interceding and ready to comfort and give you His peace and joy. With the changed heart Jesus had promised, Peter later spoke from his experience. He encouraged other followers both to have a faith that could survive Satan’s attacks (1 Peter 4:12-19), and to be assured of God’s blessing, favor, and presence with them as they suffer those challenges (1 Peter 5:6-11).

                Confess your fear, turn away from the life that is focused on yourself, and let God heal and change your heart as He did for Simon Peter.