January 5 – TOO MUCH? TOO LITTLE?

I have lived without what I need in humility, and I have lived with excess provision and great esteem. Through all of this, Christ has taught and strengthened me, so I focus only on Him, regardless of my situation. (Philippians 4:12-13)

 

               Today, do you face a challenge of “needing?” Many have taken Paul’s words to be an encouragement to be strong in tough times. On the other hand, you may have found living with wealth and power, especially among those who admire you, is the greater challenge to your faith in Christ alone.

 

               Paul says he has learned that each of these extremes, as well as the drudgery of routine, day-to-day living in between, pose challenges to your ability to live the life Jesus wants you to enjoy. This message does encourage. It also gives you an answer for all when life’s circumstances threaten to distract you. Focus only on Jesus.

 

Keep your focus on Jesus Christ, and you will be up to any challenge that comes. Whether you have too much or too little, Jesus will always be exactly enough.

 

January 4 - AFTER “COME”?

 

Come here, follow me now, and I will make you become fishers of people. (Matthew 4:19)

 

What is your product or service? How do you figure your bottom-line? For many people, success is measured by dollars or percentages, growth in square feet, or in numbers of people. There is usually some list of objectives or measurements that informs the work of a successful organization. Some call this management by objectives.

 

               Jesus introduced a new concept to Simon and Andrew. He replaced their objectives with a new process – “Follow me.” He changed their product and their bottom line too. Most importantly Jesus assumes responsibility for that new bottom line. Wow, what a relief! Finally, though, there is a cost; a price you pay for this new deal. You must give up your objectives, and simply obey Jesus.

 

               Are you willing to “drop your net” – your goals, your process, your measurements – and follow Jesus? Will you manage your life by simple obedience?

 

January 3 – A SIMPLE PROMISE

 

Come to me if you are laboring and weighed down with burdens, and I will give you the rest that refreshes you. (Matthew 11:28)

 

               Do you ever get weary, and sometimes even feel overwhelmed? Not the public you, of course. Rather, the private one who longs to find a place to simply be at peace for a moment.

 

               This is a great promise! It reminds that God offers you real life – an incredible, full life He intends for you to enjoy. Jesus’ next words in this passage promise that He will replace your toiling and burdened life with something better – His work. This is what God intended. He also promises that this work will fit you. It will allow you to be who you were made to be, while living a life of freedom and peace and purpose.

 

               You can act on these promises today. Trade in your self-reliant anxiety and fears. Take this life Jesus offers. All you must do is, “Come.”

January 2 – NEW LIFE

 The work of the thief is that he takes away from you; kills and destroys everything. I came to give you full, complete, unending life; a better life than you can imagine. (John 10:10)

 

Is your faith about dos and don’ts? Is following rules at the foundation of your hope? Or, do you work hard trying to do enough good deeds to accomplish God’s favor?

 

With this message, Jesus offers a new relationship. He offers to give you a great life, simply because that’s who He is. It is His work to change your life to one of purpose and meaning. Your work is to invite the Holy Spirit to make that change. Immediately before this assurance, Jesus explains, “I am the source – all the other roads lead to the thieves.”

 

To find this “full and complete” life, you learn to hear God’s voice and follow Him, closely. Follow closely enough that no thief can take you away.

 

January 1 – ONLY ONE HOPE

 

We are holding back nothing, putting everything we have and everything we are on our Hope. That Hope is Jesus, and our trust is that He is the answer to what each of us need in our lives. That’s the reason we follow Him so closely each day. (I Timothy 4:10)

 

Is Jesus really your hope? Or, is it your wits, your management team, your process, and your effort that you count on when it comes down to stressful times?

 

Paul tells Timothy here that he has made a basic, bottom-line decision; “Jesus is going to be my answer!” Notice too, the way he makes Jesus his answer. Paul says that he follows closely. That gives him opportunity for constant conversation, constant questions, and the chance for Jesus to give (and be) the answer to each situation.

 

Resolve now only one thing; that each day this year will begin with an affirmation that Jesus is the hope for you, your family, your church, your people, and all the rest of your life.

OCTOBER 28 – RULE PROBLEM – CONTROLS

But I would not have even thought about wanting and desiring so much, had it not been for the law saying, “don’t covet!” But, sin saw an opportunity in that commandment, and brought to my mind lusting after everything I could think about. (Romans7:7-8)

   Some people really like rules and regulations because they can set limits on how much abuse is allowed. Is your response to a rule ever, “How can I get around this?” In some ways, as compared to simple rules being applied with judgment, having a lot of detailed regulation can legitimize bad acts and bad actors if those actions are not too much or too bad. A regulated environment can encourage selective enforcement and punishment by you or by others.

                  As a Pharisee himself, Paul was familiar with all the bad ways to use laws and rules. Certainly, he saw the waste of time and needless oppression of people under a heavy load of rules. But, Paul also saw another aspect of the law. He observed that the sin remaining in his flesh seems to be drawn toward evil simply by knowing what is evil. Presenting the rules against actions, seemed to draw him to those very same prohibited actions as he thought about them.

                  Be cautious as you define your values to give definitions that are positive, and full of promise. Don’t engage in trying to control each detail. Let the Lord lead you to communicate in a clear and hopeful, yet simple and trusting way.

MAY 1 – DON’T LOOK BACK

 Don’t dwell on the past. Wake up! Look! I’m doing a new thing. It’s happening already. Don’t you see? I make you a road through every wilderness. I sustain you in the driest and bleakest places. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

                Are you looking forward? Do you believe the best is yet to come; that God will continue to do even greater things? The good news, that new and better things are ahead, is the message of the Lord through Isaiah.

                The preceding passage reminded listeners of all that God had done to save Israel from their Egyptian slavery. It evoked memories of the parting of the sea, providing for them in the wilderness, and leading them to their new home (vv.16-17). He was telling them to realize that the Lord is always doing amazing things. As a believer, God has done some great things in your life. He has saved you from a life of destruction. He has used you in His work. You have seen faith in Jesus Christ change the lives of people around you. Maybe He has even transformed the place where you work into a community of believers. But, He is not finished. Don’t stand around talking about what God has done. Don’t miss what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do today and tomorrow.

                Ask the Lord today to keep your eyes on the road – where you are and moving ahead. Don’t keep looking back.