March 6 – TRUTH AND TRUST

 The bottom-line total of everything you say is one thing – Truth! And every word of it lasts forever. (Psalm 119:160)

               Can you really trust God? If you can believe the two statements in this verse, you have a basis for life-changing trust; the kind that will enable you to throw caution aside and fully invest in a life of devotion to the Lord. God requires you to trust Him that fully if you want to experience the life He offers. His life is only for those who take Him at His word.

                The Bible is filled with the stories and testimony of hundreds of witnesses who went with God where He told them to go, spoke the words He gave them to say, and acted as He told them to act. Many who have followed Jesus this way have seen Him change lives. They have felt God’s Holy Spirit move them, and they bravely kept going in challenging times. These people, many of whom suffered and died as martyrs, said, “He can be trusted.” Until you can believe that God is reliable, these will be simply stories, and you will understand the Bible simply be a book. What happens when you trust – enough to stake your life on it - is that God begins His work in you. Then, He begins to write your story!

                Take your first step. or take the next step, of trust. You can trust the Lord God! His word is forever truth.

March 5 – MEASURING

 It is by this one measure that everyone will know that you are mine – if you love one another. (John 13:35)

                Do other people see love in your actions? How about your people? Could someone who observed the people who represent you see them loving others? Take stock. Gather your lists of people (customers, vendors, employees, friends). How many of these could you say that you and your people love?

                During His last Passover meal with His closest followers; those who would soon be leading His church, Jesus gave one instruction. He said, “Love one another.” Then, for more clarity, he explained that this will be the measure of their devotion to Him. Time has proved this counsel to be true. From the time of those disciples to this present day, there have been many people who have opposed everything about the church. But, those same opponents, when they observe uncommon acts of unselfish love, find themselves drawn to that love. Whatever your business, wherever you work, and with whomever you relate each day, love should be your primary measure.

                Make love for others your primary measure, and watch for the change that will come.

 

March 4 – BEING – DONE

 But when the Spirit – the Spirit of The Truth – comes, He will be your guide to The Way. He is The Truth directly from God, who will lead you, and direct you through The Life that God has prepared for you. (John 16:13)

                Do you concentrate on doing? Think about the list of appointments, tasks, objectives, and goals on your agenda before you answer. Are these your focus? Do you have time to focus on what God’s Spirit would say to you? Would you be willing to change your agenda if the Spirit leads you to do that?

                If Jesus is to be taken at His word, literally, your agenda must always be viewed as a work in progress. The Spirit’s role is to lead you. That doesn’t leave room for you to navigate. “Doing” is navigating; moving toward an end that you desire. Following – being a follower – is the correct role. The aim of the life Jesus describes is to complete the plan God has for your life. You do this by following the Spirit who gives you His Truth. The Spirit shows you His Way to live each moment in view of that truth. Being His follower is the work.

                Believe that God loves you and has a plan; that He wants to be your guide. Follow. Let the Spirit lead you. That is how you can be sure the work that matters will be done.

March 3 – PLANS

 Yes, I said it, and I will make it happen; I have planned it as part of my purpose, so it will come to pass. (Isaiah 46:11)

                Does the Holy Spirit of God really control your life? God is not like ordinary men. He does not lie (Numbers 23:19). The Lord has a plan – a whole, consistent plan for His world that He planned before you were born (Isaiah 37:26). A plan this complete, that is backed by God’s infinite power, will be fulfilled.

                Isaiah describes, in some detail, how God had planned to move a foreign king to action; a pagan king who has no idea that he is being used. What power! Power like that is a foundation upon which you can build your future. A life lived for Jesus will reflect the certainty of living for the end that the Lord has promised. That life has a constant view of God’s power and purpose. That life will also be consistent, true, and reliable, and it will reflect God’s truth with great love.

                Do your words speak truth? Do you see the purposes of the Lord in the events of your life and those around you? If not, make the decision to give God control today, and your answers will change. That is how He planned it.

March 2 – HERE AM I

 And I heard the voice of the Lord. It was saying, “Whom shall I send?” and “Who does go for us?” And I say, “Here am I, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

                How often – how completely – for what length of time do you place yourself in the presence of God to simply listen for His voice? With meetings and phone calls, problems and decisions, people and places demanding your attention each day, does your role as leader prevent you from doing your job as servant?

Isaiah describes an encounter that happened because he was waiting on the Lord. He had searched himself, prepared himself, and then stood – simply waiting, watching, and listening. God speaks. One who will be used by Him must spend time listening for His call. Notice too, that Isaiah did not know the task, so he could not foresee the results, nor could he know the personal cost of his mission. Even so, he simply said, “Here am I, send me.”

Will you intentionally place yourself in the Lord’s presence; anxiously awaiting His call? Will you answer, “Yes!” before you know the details? If so, God will speak to you.

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.