APRIL 28 – SHOW YOUR LOVE

 My dear little children don’t let us simply say that we love but love in truth with our actions. Let us show them our love sincerely. (1 John 3:18)

               Do you love your people? All of them? Do you show them your love sincerely; earnestly, as John urges? Don’t answer too quickly. Take a moment. Read the preceding verses (3:16-17) for an example of what this passage is talking about.

               John reminds the readers of the way Jesus showed His love and establishes that total sacrifice is the standard for every believer. Then, he gives a striking, practical example. “Whoever has the means to help when he sees his brother in need, but doesn’t help him, how can he say that the Spirit of God and His love lives in him?” This is a very direct challenge. Especially to you who have substantial means. Your people should know you love them, because at every opportunity you must care for one of them, you do it. High standard? You bet – but not inconsistent with the rest of Scripture. Anyone can say they love. Most will give if it’s not too hard or too much. Jesus taught simply to give. It may be money – yes. But your means may be time or knowledge or influence. Or it may simply be genuinely caring when no one else does.  

                Decide today that you will show your love – God’s love - at every chance, and you will look for those opportunities.

APRIL 27 – EYE-TO-EYE

 Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When everyone denied touching Him, Peter said, “Master, there’s a huge crowd around you; all touching you.” (Luke 8:45)

                You can picture the crowd following Jesus; many desperate to get to Him. Jesus was on a mission to help a young girl who was dying. One woman, who had been tormented for years by disease, managed to reach through the crowd and touch the edge of His coat. As Jesus later explained, her faith caused her to be healed instantly. Notice that, even though Jesus was busy – with lots of people clamoring for His attention – He stopped and made sure to recognize what God was doing. And, He took time to love that individual whose life was being changed. He looked into her eyes.

                Will you do that? No matter what your mission for the day, nor how many people vie for your attention – will you stay conscious of what God is doing around you? Will you stop and relate to the people involved until His work in you, and in them, is completed?

                Stay alert each moment. Find the person God is calling you to help. Look into their eyes and stay with them until His work is done.

APRIL 26 – BRING HIM TO ME

 And many told (blind Bartimeus) to be quiet, but he yelled louder, “Son of David – have mercy on me! Jesus stopped and told them to bring Bartimeus to Him. So, they called him, “Be courageous and get up. Jesus is calling you.” (Mark 10:48-49)

             Jesus and his disciples were headed for Jerusalem; busy and serious on their way. Bartimeus, the blind man on the side of the road, could not be indulged thought the disciples. Jesus doesn’t have time for him right now. They tried to silence Bartimeus, so that he would not get in the way. But Jesus seized the moment He helped them re-think their job description. He told them to go and bring the sick (physically, mentally, spiritually) to Him so He could make them whole.

             Do you get too busy to see the sick person standing in front of you? Is your work too important to stop and bring them to Jesus? Every day brings opportunity to find the people who need Christ. Your work is not to fix them, nor necessarily to please them. It certainly is not to overlook them as a casualty of a busy day. Your work is to bring them to the Lord.

Look around you today. Somewhere, the Holy Spirit will show you your Bartimeus. Go to him or her and bring that sick person to Jesus.

APRIL 25 – WORK

 Shine your light on your work for your servants, so it will show your glory to the children. Let the beauty of the Lord rest upon us as you establish your work for our hands. Yes, our work. You establish our work. (Psalm 90:16-17)

                Do you love your work? Do you eagerly look forward to beginning each day? Why not? God formed you with purpose for the work He intended for you. Listen for His voice that is calling you to that work. If you do this, you will find work that you will love.

                Your best life’s work is to be a part of the mission of God in His world and to His people. So, this request to “shine your light on your work” asks the Lord to reveal your mission. This is the way to find your work. Only then, is it possible to have the Glory of God rest upon you as you do it. He will guide your hands and feet, and speak through you. This relationship with God is where you will find the easy burden and the light load that Jesus promised (Matthew 11:30). Your job is to lead, but if you are to lead well, the Lord must establish the daily details of your job description. Sometimes, He will do this in surprising and unconventional ways, and sometimes you won’t understand. But, you can be certain of God’s presence and provision if you obey.

                Let God establish your work, and enjoy Him each day as you bring Him glory in it!

APRIL 24 – WORSHIP

 God is Spirit. Those who worship Him must worship in their spirit – their very core being, and in the truth of who He is, and who He made and called us to be. (John 4:24)

                Can your people be led to worship – even before they come to know Jesus? Can they act their way toward the Lord and His truth?

                Jesus says that you must worship both in spirit and in truth. So, to engage in real worship that brings glory to God and joy to your life, you must have experienced the birth of God’s Spirit in you. Then, the truth of who Jesus is can be lived out in your words and actions as you are animated by the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Those whom you lead; over whom you have influence, can engage in those actions with you. As they do, experiencing the change they see happening and hearing your story of the Hope in Christ that motivates you, they will be encouraged. As time and your consistency proves your Hope is trustworthy and real, some of these people will begin to have hope as well; hope that can be the basis of their faith and trust in the Lord.

                Remember, worship is what makes the church, not the place where people meet. Lead your people to worship in Spirit and in Truth in every place you meet with them.

APRIL 23 – THE FAMILY

 Jesus asked, “Who is my family?” Then, He looked around the circle of followers who were seated before Him, and said, “Here is my family. The one who does the will of God is my family.” (Mark 3:33-35)

               Who is your work family? Who are the people closest to you; whom you trust, and to whom you give authority? As you clearly communicate the vision God has given you, and you share and define the values that are vital to that plan, this family will grow. Those whom Jesus sends to you will be added to the family. They may not be who you want. Some people whom you want to be a part may choose not to follow the way God has provided, and losing your close, working relationship with those people may become a cost of following the Lord’s vision.

               Jesus said these words while his mother and other family members stood outside the place where He was teaching. It is thought they probably wanted to warn Him of the dangers of His harsh words to the religious leaders. They likely feared for His safety – and theirs. Some of your people will decide not to do what they need to do. Some of them will leave; and some may choose to stay and oppose the work, even if their words say they agree. Jesus said, “Those who do the will of God.” He did not say, “Those who know this will, and can recite it.”

               Be alert. Watch to determine whose actions show they are your family. Rely upon the Holy Spirit guide your decisions.

APRIL 22 – I’LL BE THERE

Yes, He has taken upon Himself our illness. He has carried our pain and suffering. (Isaiah 53:4)

                What do you do when you see that your people are captured by the things of this world that would destroy their lives? Where are you when pain and suffering; mentally, physically, and spiritually, come into their lives?

                Isaiah relays God’s promise that Jesus will come. The man who will take on the cares of the world. He did come, and He was beaten, humiliated, and hung on a cross after a life of comforting and healing and bringing hope to people. By each of those acts He was taking on the sickness, pain, and suffering of other people. Jesus said, “If you want to follow me, forget about yourself. Take up your cross each day to follow me (Luke 9:23).” Jesus is saying you must understand that the life of a follower is a life of engaging with people who are in pain, and this life requires you to take on their suffering – as if it is your own. So, the response when your people are hurting is to view those problems as your own, and to find ways to face these obstacles with them. Sometimes, you may help remove them. Sometimes, you may simply be present. But, be there.

                Love your people enough to help them carry their problems, fears, pain, and suffering.