July 2002
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Our Anchor Scripture Focus: Hebrews 6:16-20 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:19-20).
September 11, 2001 shattered our dreams of security and safety as we watched again and again the destruction and horrible loss of life of the terrorist attack on America. Every imaginable emotion surfaced. How could this happen? Great fear came over us. ANCHOR is a daily devotional for this time, with its daily thoughts offering hope and peace. Jesus promised, “In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In today’s passage from the book of Hebrews we find an anchor on which to build our hope. God offers us His grace -- favor that we do not deserve, nor can we earn it. We can count on His commitment to us through His unchangeable promises. We know He is our place of refuge, and we have hope in times like these because Christ Himself has entered into God's presence in the heavenly Holy of Holies on our behalf. Amen to Him; goodbye to fear! INSIGHT: The moment I feel fear, I should put my trust in God, dismiss my fear, and move forward. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).
The Gap Scripture Focus: Acts 14:21-28 “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra . . . strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:21-22).
Through Ezekiel, God writes He is looking for followers to “stand before me in the gap on behalf of
the land” (Ezekiel 22:30). It's a difficult assignment, as illustrated by Paul and Barnabas in the words, “then they returned to Lystra.” They had received rough treatment there just a few weeks before (v. 19). The human desire is to avoid such returns. Why go back to the people who attacked you? But God will take the spiritual man back to Lystra to learn His lesson of grace with victory. In returning, their ministry was one of “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” Each of us has such a place or a people that God wants us to go back and resolve unsolved problems or situations that rob us of our joy and His victory. Out of that pain comes His grace and our maturity of faith. It is here we stand in the gap. Remember that God has not given us “a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). INSIGHT: God has chosen to implement His plan of redemption through weak humans. Never forget His grace makes it possible for Him to accomplish His plan through us.
Grace Scripture Focus: Ephesians 1:1-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The word “grace” denotes God's favor shown towards the human race or to any individuals. It is His free act, not hindered by sin nor made conditional on our works. It is God's grace because He has established and maintained the relationship toward sinful man. Some 40 years ago my wife Linda wrote about grace in her bible: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. God’s Son became the “satisfaction” to the Father “once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28). In Him we are free and forgiven! Think about some benefits of God’s grace: hope of eternal life, freedom from sin and guilt, feeling clean, knowing we're loved, a member of God's family, confident of our salvation. Paul wrote, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). God has poured His love and grace on us, not because of anything we've done, but because of what Christ did! We're special because we are His.
INSIGHT: Because of God's grace we can sing, “I have been crucified with Christ . . .but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). After death comes life; after crucifixion, victory.
Hope Scripture Focus: Isaiah 44:21-28 “I have made you. . . . I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:21-22).
Craftsmen in Israel had expended all their energy to produce a beautiful idol, but their best was one in the likeness of man that certainly could not renew their strength in any way. Yet God reassured Israel that His sovereign grace was at work on their behalf. He had blotted out their sins written in His book against them. He obliterated the sins of those He had redeemed, and called on His people to return to Him in repentance. He had provided for redemption and they needed to appropriate His grace. One night as law enforcement chaplain, I worked security at an athletic event. When we finished, one of the officers said, “I need to talk.” We sat for over an hour in his vehicle and talked over his life, temptations, decisions, future, and his desire to be right with God. We prayed together and in that prayer he found forgiveness, freedom, and hope. I had the privilege of reassuring him that God had swept away his offense and he could once again enjoy his redeemed status. INSIGHT: God proves His grace toward us. To be visited by Him, that is, to be made more acutely aware of His presence, adds to the excitement of being His disciple.
Pain of Discipleship Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “There was given me a thorn in my flesh. . . . I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you'“ (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
A colleague in ministry, retired after 30 years in law enforcement, has discussed his “thorn” with me many times. Though we have prayed over it and anointed him with oil, still the “thorn” exists. This burden or “thorn” is the pain of discipleship, which can be a healthy pain. It's not the pain of breakdown and death, but of healing and restoration. It builds and fashions us into the people God intends us to be. It develops incredibly strong character and perfects the image of God in us. We’re not told what the “thorn” was in Paul's life -- perhaps so we would realize that whatever our “thorn” is, we will find God sufficient to help us in our time of need. Jesus' words offer us hope. “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9). As He speaks in the present tense, He reveals the constant availability of His divine grace. He gives adequate strength, not to remove the “thorn” but to live within His grace and ability to endure it. INSIGHT: Remember that Jesus Christ came to make us victorious, not comfortable. The pain of discipleship is the path to victory.
Healthy Praying Scripture Focus: Psalm 67 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2).
As we mature in our daily walk with Him, healthy spiritual changes happen within us. Our prayers change when they revolve around the big-picture of Christ and His mission. Our requests for God to be gracious and bless us – our families, our efforts of ministry, decisions regarding our jobs -- should contain the overriding provision that God's “ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” We want God's answers to make an impact on the peoples of the world -- through us. Some years ago while serving with East Broadcasting Company in Okinawa, Japan, I had the privilege of attending the Tell Asia conference in Hong Kong. It was a life-changing event. Hundreds of missionaries and nationals from countries around Asia were there to search for ways to work together to make dramatic inroads in reaching Asia for Christ. We joined together, putting aside personal agendas, to complement one another in strategy and get the Gospel to the nations. It worked; God blessed. We had prayed for the right things. INSIGHT: When God's answers to our prayers make an impact on the world's peoples, our praying has been effective.
Giving Thanks Scripture Focus: Psalm 107 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men” (Psalm 107:1, 8).
American poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “When a nation goes down. . . [or] a society perishes, one condition may always be found. They forgot where they came from. They lost sight of what brought them along.” What’s true of nations is also true of people. How quickly we forget our heritage and roots. We should be grateful to God for His blessings: our parents, teachers and employers for their influence, our families, faith, churches, and health. Finally, we are to be thankful in all things. This one can be tough -- yet God tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This is our ultimate test of thanksgiving, and we can do this only if we are confident that God is in control of our lives. He is greater than our loneliness, our loss, our fears, our pain, or other distressing circumstances, and our fears of the unknown. Being thankful becomes a witness to others of our personal relationship with Him, and can often provide them with the freedom they need to take advantage of the open door of thanksgiving. INSIGHT: Gratitude is our response to God's grace. It may be difficult to express, but it is a certain sign of being at peace with yourself and with God.
Revive Us Again Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 36:24-30 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees (Ezekiel 36:2627).
God's prophet Ezekiel describes Israel's restoration to the Lord and her national salvation. Included also are the themes of forgiveness, new life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience. These ingredients are also needed for us to live faithfully for Christ today. How do we respond appropriately to God's grace toward us? First, we need to come to grips with His call on our lives. He calls us to be the connection between God and people, bringing them into awareness of the Gospel and His gift of salvation. Second, we are to be people of character. Our hearts must be His! As God sought for a man “after His own heart” in David (1 Samuel 13:14), He seeks men and women today who have a heart for Him. Third, He wants us to learn how to exercise the gifts and talents He has given us. That comes as we learn to know His heart, His passion, and then make the most of every opportunity offered to us. INSIGHT: God desires to use us in spite of our weaknesses so long as we have a commitment to become people of Christian character.
To Save Lives Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 “Be diligent. . . . Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
In his book, No Heroes, Danny Coulson [FBI ret.] describes his responsibility to develop the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. He writes of the team members, “We ask them to handle the most dangerous assignment imaginable. . . . The HRT motto -- To Save Lives.” His book describes the selection process and the difficult training and preparedness that members of the HRT must subscribe to. Their motto should be the goal of every Christian: To Save Lives! The apostle Paul challenged Timothy to be diligent in focusing on priorities: on the Scriptures and the use of the gift God had given him for service. He was to watch closely his own godly life and be true to the teaching he had learned, being alert to both opportunities and danger. Timothy had received God’s grace, and he would be the human instrument God would use to save lives. Paul himself was imprisoned for his commitment to his calling. It is serious business for you and
me as well, being part of God's HRT, working hard to save lives. INSIGHT: God calls us to develop friendships with non-Christian people and to engage them in genuine dialogue about values, ideas, and faith.
Covenant of Grace Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 31:31-34 “`The time is coming,' declares the Lord, `when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. . . . I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31,33).
I am writing in the north woods, overlooking a beautiful lake with snow covering the ground. There's not a sound in the cottage other than the crackling fire. These are days to reflect on God's love and grace, to simply reflect on Him. Today’s verses show God’s desire for His people. He wants a new covenant with them, in contrast to the old Mosaic Covenant which had failed. This New Covenant would carry with it a spiritual dynamic of grace and blessing. God never gives up! Even when His people rebelled and persisted in sin, God was planning the greatest gift of all -- the sending of His Son, with the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost. He has an insatiable desire to make Himself known to us, and for us to really know Him. His promise, made in the darkest period of Israel's history, is ours too in the darkest days of our lives. He invites us to respond to Him, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). INSIGHT: We can call to God in the storms of life, knowing that Jesus Christ is the bridge from the heart of God to our hearts.
Relationship Scripture Focus:
Genesis 5:18-24; Hebrews 11:5-6 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death. . . . For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
We don't know much about Enoch other than he had an amazing relationship with God. They were friends. Only one other man, Noah, is said to have enjoyed this intimacy of relationship in walking with God (Genesis 6:8-9). The general idea of the Hebrew word for “walk” includes walking carefully and perseveringly. God wants an intimate relationship with you and me, and our part is to pursue that relationship on a regular basis. Enoch pleased God. They enjoyed genuine friendship. Imagine! We have discovered these past months that our nation's strength is measured by the value we put on people. A tight web of friendship and commitment exists when we value others. Jesus knew this and He spent time developing relationships of love and trust with His chosen disciples. He reached out to those less desirable of society – the leper, the blind, the immoral, and the haughty. He made them His friends. What He did for them, He wants to do for us. What grace! INSIGHT: What really matters is not the achievements we make or the status we hold, but the relationships we develop.
God's Strength Scripture Focus: Isaiah 40:28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:28).
There are times when energy is gone and our minds are frazzled, and still we must press on. I was paged one morning by State Patrol radio: “Chaplain, call Sgt -- we need your help!” It turned out to be a full day of difficult death notifications. There had been a horrible accident on the interstate. Three precious people had lost their lives, and Sergeant and I spent the day talking with the families to begin the process of developing a system of support for those now left behind. Regardless of how many notifications I've made over the years as a law enforcement chaplain, it has never become easy. Driving from location to location that day, I found myself begging God for needed strength to deal with the families. The words of Isaiah offered strength and hope. There’s a principle here. Praying believers enjoy God's strength in times of trial. His power, grace, and love never diminish. He's never too tired or too busy to listen and help us. For me, He was there in a special way on that painful day.
INSIGHT: We allow God to demonstrate His grace to us when we come to Him with empty hands, no hidden agenda, no crossed fingers, but an openness to Him.
Freedom Scripture Focus: Romans 6:15-23 “Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed. . . .You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).
While serving with Far East Broadcasting Company on Okinawa, I was privileged to interview Major General Fred Haynes, Commander of the Third Marine Division. In response to a question I asked, he said that his most memorable experience in serving our country was in the World War II battle for Iwo Jima. Marines had just taken Mt. Surabichi and were defending their position. A colleague banged on his helmet and pointed toward the top of the hill. Then Lt. Haynes spun around and looked up just in time to see the flag being raised. Today that memory is a monument to our freedom. Freedom is vital to us. Paul reminds us that an apprentice trains under a master, who molds his apprentice in the skills of his craft. As Christians, we have chosen our Master, Jesus, to pattern ourselves after Him, learning the spiritual values of life, Kingdom living, and freedom from slavery to sin. Lt. Haynes looked to the flag. We look to Jesus and find our freedom in Him. INSIGHT: Because of God's grace, we can face the enemy, not from fear but from power, since we have become servants of the risen Savior.
Fervent in Love Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 4:7-9 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:7-8).
With the terrorist attacks on America, law enforcement, reserve officers, and chaplains have been placed on the highest alert. While I worked a special assignment with several officers, one asked, “Hey, Chaplain, are these the end times?” We talked about prophecy, the need for us to be ready to meet Christ, the reality of God's love and grace, and a few simple guidelines for living in these days. That's what Peter wrote about. With the burning of Rome, Christians being blamed, persecution spreading, he set down some valid guidelines for that day, and ours. First, time is short. We need a fresh sense of urgency about how we live. Second, we are to be clear minded, to show sound judgment, be self-controlled and alert so we can pray effectively. Third, we need a relationship of love and care for each other. Our love should be fervent -- stretched as a runner stretching to the limit to win the prize. Such love puts others above ourselves, amplifying what Christ has done for us through His grace and love. INSIGHT: To fervently love others is to look beyond their faults and see them through the eyes of Jesus and His love for them, making an eternal difference.
Christ's Personal Appeal Scripture Focus: Psalm 100 “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:2-3).
I memorized this Psalm years ago in my confirmation class. Ever since, I've been impressed with God's personal touch on my life (see v. 3). God staked His claim on my life because He created me. He also claimed me because He has redeemed me. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). There’s also another claim, a very personal one. He still asks for my love, loyalty, and service. “I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). He appeals to me on the basis of His mercy, grace, and love. He doesn't blast me with His power, or force me into this commitment, but urges me to give myself wholly to Him. It's a gentle, spiritual calling of God, leading to an active, sacrificial involvement in serving Him, affecting the lives of others. Reflect on God’s mercy and grace toward you. Read Psalm 100 and then Romans 12, asking God for a fresh grasp on His call and service.
INSIGHT: God's ultimate intention is for a family of mature children on whom He can pour out His grace and love, and who will love Him in return.
Days of Danger Scripture Focus: Isaiah 31:1-3 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots . . . but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord” (Isaiah 31:1).
The topography of Egypt made the use of horses and chariots valuable. When Israel turned from God to Egypt, they placed their trust in the strength and might of their neighbors. To the natural man, security comes from power, military might, or economic strength, but to those who are spiritual, protection is found in a Person. In these days of danger, we need to make certain that our protection is found in the Person, rather than in horses and chariots. Isaiah wrote a few pages later, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (41:10). The bottom line of our safety is the presence of God. His presence is so close that He squeezes Himself between my peril and myself. He delivered Israel from the pursuing Egyptians by coming “between” them (Exodus 14:20) and that's how He will deliver us. INSIGHT: Remember that no territory is neutral. Satan's advance is to set himself against those deeply involved in becoming God's messengers of hope.
Steps to Spiritual Survival Scripture Focus: Romans 8:31-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
These are critical days for the church. As a friend recently expressed it, “If you're not burning hot for God, your wood's wet.” We live under a number of threats masterminded by the evil one, yet our confidence is in Christ. Paul has given us “a hymn of security.” How do we survive and come out on top? My close friend and colleague, Dr. Harold Sala, has given us a number of secrets to surviving joyfully. These are so important that we can use them to measure our relationship and commitment to Christ on a scale of 1-10: 1.
Have a wholehearted love for God.
2.
Have a wholehearted commitment to God.
3.
Have wholehearted service to God.
4.
Enjoy being filled with the Spirit of God.
5.
Develop spiritual strength for battle.
6.
Develop a passionate love for people.
7.
Have the confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
What is your score? INSIGHT: Missionary statesman C.T. Studd once said, “If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”
From Death to Life Scripture Focus: Psalm 40:1-5 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:2-3).
My pager went off at the same time my cell phone rang. An officer spoke urgently. “Come now! We have a man buried alive.” New sewer pipe was being laid; the ditch was 10 feet deep; a worker was checking the pipe when the wall caved in. My next hours were spent watching, waiting for discovery of the body, meeting with family members to prepare them for the worst. I was standing by the wife when one rescue worker shouted, “I have an arm!” After five hours of removing dirt bucket by bucket, this man was found alive. He had survived the impossible, trapped in an air pocket, barely able to breathe, but in the end it was enough. The gathered crowd cheered and prayed. God has done that for you and me. We were flung into the pit of sin and despair, left helpless to save ourselves. In His grace, God has delivered us out of that hopeless situation, taken us from no footing to sure footing, and given us a new song of praise to Him. INSIGHT: “In His love and pity, God came to us in Christ,” wrote A.W. Tozer. We will spend eternity singing our praises to Him.
Spiritual Combat Scripture Focus: Ephesians 6:10-20 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Today's verses also are a reminder of the spiritual conflict that rages within and around us. God has invited us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), thus praying defensively -- placing God's protecting presence around ourselves and others, and offensively – taking the initiative to thwart satanic diversions. When we take initiative in prayer, we gain advantage over potential enemy schemes. One of the greatest prayer intercessors was Rees Howells. On one occasion Howells' prayer life did battle with the forces of hell mobilized throughout Nazi Germany. This servant pleaded with God to reach out and stop Hitler from taking more of Europe. God seemed silent -- Hitler kept rolling. God's Spirit seemed to say to Howells, “In My time!” Hitler kept moving. Howells found peace, and kept praying. One day when he was directed to pray against Hitler's advance, Hitler made a major blunder and sealed his defeat by the allied forces. Never give up praying! INSIGHT: One believer's commitment to prayer holds inestimable value. God is sovereign. Our task is to discern and agree with His purposes.
Strength to Pray Scripture Focus: Daniel 10:1-12 “`Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard’” (Daniel 10:12).
The powers of darkness seem to disrupt or distort our reception of God's guidance and grace. For Daniel, God's praying servant, high level satanic beings were hard at work to block communication from the throne of God. Such attacks come especially when we are praying for the lost, prayers that hold eternal destinies in the balance. Satan wants to scramble any communication between us and heaven. Daniel caught a glimpse of that battle between supernatural powers of good and evil. It would seem that three weeks passed before the messenger came to Daniel. Yet, Daniel was faithful in prayer, finally hearing from heaven. For him it was a stressful time, to say the least. He lost his speech, but the messenger's touch restored it. He felt weak, but the messenger's words strengthened him. Reassurance came as a hand touched him and a voice reassured him, “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed. . . .Peace! Be strong now; be strong” (v. 19). INSIGHT: Our praying will be challenged by evil forces, but God's grace is never in short supply. Let's pray fervently and earnestly, then expect to hear from God in His perfect timing.
Coming off the Mountain Scripture Focus: Matthew 17:1-13 “`Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters. . . .' A voice from the cloud said, `This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’” (Matthew 17:4-5).
It's hard to come off the mountain. My wife and I have been enjoying a few days of vacation in the north woods. It's just beautiful! Our time away was desperately needed, but now we have met with the Lord, been refreshed, renewed, and are again challenged to hit the streets of ministry.
Often, when on the mountain of spiritual refreshment and insight, we want to act like Peter. We'd like to build a place to stay. But Peter had the wrong idea. The mountain is a place for worship, silence, adoration. He wanted to capture the moment, but he needed to learn from it and then move on. He saw Christ but seemed to be limited in his understanding. The Father corrected any misconceptions that Peter had when He spoke His words about who His Son really is. The message is simple. Christ is enough, and to have Him and nothing else is to be rich beyond any imagination. The Father says, “Listen to Him.” So we must! INSIGHT: As Christians, we are strong or weak, depending on how closely we have cultivated the knowledge of God.
“Brace and Pray” Scripture Focus: Isaiah 45:1-6 “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).
I read an account of a routine airplane flight that ended in near tragedy. All was going well when the captain discovered that there was a problem. Using a code number, he alerted the flight attendants, “Please prepare the cabin. We're going to land.” Immediately the passengers were instructed to brace themselves and that “the only important thing is your life. Don't take anything else.” Before landing, the attendants yelled, “Brace and pray . . . brace and pray . . . brace and pray!” Though there was a fire aboard, the plane landed safely and all passengers and crew were unharmed. In the dark times of life, those times of insecurity and uncertainty, God wants us to simply “Brace and pray!” We have nowhere else to go. Some of God's finest treasures can be experienced in darkness -- treasures like the assurance of His presence, the promise of His strength, assurance that His grace will bring us through. INSIGHT: We should pray to be stronger believers, not for easier lives; for power equal to our tasks, not for easier tasks. We can count on God's grace to enable us.
Getting Through It All Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 9:25-31 “And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time” (Nehemiah 9:28).
I serve on a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team. We are often called out to meet with individuals or groups of people who have gone through a traumatic event. Our responsibility is to listen, discern, and guide them through their emotions, reviewing the facts of the event, then helping them find hope for the days ahead. Nehemiah describes God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic Covenant throughout Israel's national history. For Israel, these years were filled with stress, failure, rest, more failure, then a return to God. Over and over we see God's love and grace directed to Israel. Nehemiah observed, “In your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God” (v. 31). We too experience times of failure, stress, and uncertainty, yet God never abandons us. What God did for Israel, He can do for us if we will turn to Him. That's how we get through it all. INSIGHT: The benefits of living in God's grace are numerous: maturity in faith, guilt free lifestyle, and eternal life. It gets no better than this.
The Heart of Christianity Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).
The heart of Christianity is relationship, not form or religion. Paul describes the struggles of life (v. 13), and pulls a thought from Psalm 116:10, “I believed, therefore I have spoken.” He is confident that
as he asks God for help to deliver him out of his trouble, that God in His grace will do so. That is because God is interested in relationship. One of my favorite authors is Henri Nouwen. When I listened to him on several occasions, it was obvious that he wanted people to know Jesus Christ intimately. He talked about the distractions that keep this from happening, the little foxes that chase us: complaints, disagreements, traditions that keep us in bondage rather than in freedom. To Nouwen the only thing that really mattered was his close relationship with Jesus. All else in his life was formed out of that. I remember him simply saying to us in ministry, “Take five minutes a day every day for two weeks and just sit quietly and ask to be with Jesus. Ask for His presence. Then come and tell me what's important.” Take five! INSIGHT: Take note of the distractions -- good and bad in daily living. Challenge them, list them, and then put them aside while you spend time with Jesus.
Practical Sharing Scripture Focus: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
As I think of how intimately God loves us, I find myself reminding others of His wonderful love and grace, in spite of the failures in our lives. It's natural to feel regret about how we have blown it or misjudged others, yet God is so faithful to us. God's love had become Paul's love, and Paul wanted others to know how deeply he cared. Can we do any less? Here are five keys to what we might call relational evangelism: 1. Prove we care. Today’s society is skeptical. People wonder if we really care. Show them we do. 2. Live the Gospel. Live so that people clearly see something different about us, the difference that Jesus Christ makes. 3. Offer the Gospel. Develop simple ways of telling your spiritual story. Memorize a few key scriptures, letting them become a part of your story. 4. Be available. Make time to walk alongside and encourage others. Live so they realize they are not just another target. 5. Bathe your efforts in believing prayer. INSIGHT: The way we live can help others see and trust the Savior that they may not have seen.
Defeating the Giants Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 17:41-51 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).
As a law enforcement chaplain, I am often confronted by the giants in people’s lives. They hang like water buffalo around our necks, tending to smother our spirits and rob us of God's joy. As I counsel hurting people, we spend a lot of time working through the issues -- large and small -- and try to come up with a game plan to conqueror these giants. God enables our victory! The account of David and Goliath teaches us so much about defeating giants and finding victory. Here are a few: First, remember the fight is God’s. David claimed, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” Second, take one giant at a time. Israel had many enemies. David took the one causing the current problem. Third, use the weapons you have at hand. David used the weapon he had trained with. Fourth, keep it simple. David got rid of the high-tech junk of his day and relied on a sling and stones. Not very impressive, but very effective. Fifth, just do it! INSIGHT: The account of David and Goliath suggests that most of our problems – even the big ones -- can be dealt with very simply when we put our trust in the Lord.
Grace to Serve Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 8:20-9:2 “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved. . . . Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:20,22).
Our church has developed a strategic plan that gives us direction for ministry. One slice of our pie
chart represents our visible commitment to evangelism. Jeremiah wrote that without salvation, his people were spiritually dead. Without Jesus as our Savior, you and I are “dead” in our sins. But “God, who is rich is mercy, has made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5). Now we are called to be His “workmanship,” to be spiritually productive in ways He has planned for us (v. 10). The need is for an army of soldiers dedicated to Christ, who believe He is God, that He can fulfill every promise He ever made, and that nothing is too hard for Him. This is the only way we can accomplish what is on God's heart -- getting the Gospel to every creature. Jesus commissioned His followers, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). He was saying, “I have the authority to give you the order and the power to back you to the hilt.” INSIGHT: The need of this hour is to believe God is God, and He is interested in getting the job done. Our business is to obey and trust Him to enable us to accomplish it.
A God-Intoxicated Person Scripture Focus: Philippians 4:1-9 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
One of my chaplain colleagues is truly a God-intoxicated man. He is wonderfully sensitive to the needs of people. He is always a special encouragement, always has time, always is positive, always is finding ways to strengthen the relationship. It's obvious to those of us who know him that he is consumed with Christ. Our walk with God should make us gentle with others, rather than just being sound in our doctrinal beliefs. Our service to God needs to make us people-prone. We must leave the place of worship on the level of people. Our Savior came from His Father dressed in human flesh, and that's our pattern. If we tend to be intolerant, demanding, and superior, something is wrong. Our hearts and spirits have not been softened by His touch. I may have God in my life, but not enough of Him to intoxicate me. These are critical days for all of us, and the apostle Paul tells us that we are to “let our gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” INSIGHT: For gentleness that will make the loving and living Savior evident to all, I need to be more than just touched by God; I need to be consumed by His presence.
Learning Lessons Scripture Focus: Romans 15:1-7 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
I keep in my library a huge binder labeled Instruction Manual, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Within the pages of this binder are the strategies, methodologies, defensive analysis, laws and interpretations of laws, and many other helpful chapters for those who have chosen a profession in law enforcement. God’s Word is our Manual, offering instruction in guidance, help, and challenge to live for Christ. It's all there in the Book. Within the Book is the promise that we will be encouraged to endure on the road of life, however He leads, and in this encouragement we will discover hope. The word that Paul uses for “teach” carries with it the authority of the Teacher. Christ knows the stresses and pressures of life that we encounter. He has endured them Himself and, through the written record, has given us a plan of endurance that will lead to our encouragement and hope. It's grounded in the fact that He has been there before us and has paved the way. INSIGHT: Everything about God should fill us with supreme awe. He is the inexhaustible foundation of all being, life, intelligence, wisdom, power, good, grace, and true happiness.
In the Potter's Hand Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 18:1-4 “`Go down to the potter's house. . . .' The pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him” (Jeremiah 18:2,4).
The Lord directed his prophet Jeremiah to visit the potter's house in order to learn a lesson. What he learned there has valuable instruction for us today. We need to keep in mind that the potter has power over the clay. With his skill and creative power he brings into being that which was not. When the clay does not develop into the desired shape, the potter also has recreative power, at times remaking and molding the clay into a vessel of beauty and honor.
You and I are the clay being held in God's hand -- born twice. We are not an object, but His creation to be engaged in His service with His blessing. How can this become reality? God, whose heart overflows with grace toward us, has saved us and works today to make us His “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Let's live responsively to our Potter's molding. INSIGHT: It's good to know that when we've been marred and broken, God is not through with us yet. He is merely remolding us for His good purpose.
Age of Rage Scripture Focus: Psalm 37:1-11 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret” (Psalm 37:8). ”The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. . .will himself. . . make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
In my file is an article that alerts us to shopping cart rage at the local grocery store. Road rage may be one thing, but how dare you block the isle of a supermarket with your cart! That's how the article goes. The author's bottom line is, “If we're going to avoid unnecessary violence, we all need to `keep our cool.'“ In Psalm 37 David gives us direction for becoming people of grace rather than rage. We are not to worry, but to trust in the Lord and actually delight in Him, no matter what our circumstances may be. We are to commit our way to Him and let Him work out the details of our lives. That’s practical advice for ambassadors of Christ, but how can you and I keep our cool when we're under stress personally and meet people who want to punish us for their stress? Peter, Jesus' apostle of expressive feelings, counsels us that the God of all grace will give us His strength to enable us to be people of grace, even in the most stressful situations. INSIGHT: God does His most electrifying work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, anger, suffering, or desperation, Jesus is there in His love and grace.
September 11, 2001 shattered our dreams of security and safety as we watched again and again the destruction and horrible loss of life of the terrorist attack on America. Every imaginable emotion surfaced. How could this happen? Great fear came over us. ANCHOR is a daily devotional for this time, with its daily thoughts offering hope and peace. Jesus promised, “In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In today’s passage from the book of Hebrews we find an anchor on which to build our hope. God offers us His grace -- favor that we do not deserve, nor can we earn it. We can count on His commitment to us through His unchangeable promises. We know He is our place of refuge, and we have hope in times like these because Christ Himself has entered into God's presence in the heavenly Holy of Holies on our behalf. Amen to Him; goodbye to fear! INSIGHT: The moment I feel fear, I should put my trust in God, dismiss my fear, and move forward. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).
The Gap Scripture Focus: Acts 14:21-28 “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra . . . strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:21-22).
Through Ezekiel, God writes He is looking for followers to “stand before me in the gap on behalf of
the land” (Ezekiel 22:30). It's a difficult assignment, as illustrated by Paul and Barnabas in the words, “then they returned to Lystra.” They had received rough treatment there just a few weeks before (v. 19). The human desire is to avoid such returns. Why go back to the people who attacked you? But God will take the spiritual man back to Lystra to learn His lesson of grace with victory. In returning, their ministry was one of “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” Each of us has such a place or a people that God wants us to go back and resolve unsolved problems or situations that rob us of our joy and His victory. Out of that pain comes His grace and our maturity of faith. It is here we stand in the gap. Remember that God has not given us “a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). INSIGHT: God has chosen to implement His plan of redemption through weak humans. Never forget His grace makes it possible for Him to accomplish His plan through us.
Grace Scripture Focus: Ephesians 1:1-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The word “grace” denotes God's favor shown towards the human race or to any individuals. It is His free act, not hindered by sin nor made conditional on our works. It is God's grace because He has established and maintained the relationship toward sinful man. Some 40 years ago my wife Linda wrote about grace in her bible: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. God’s Son became the “satisfaction” to the Father “once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28). In Him we are free and forgiven! Think about some benefits of God’s grace: hope of eternal life, freedom from sin and guilt, feeling clean, knowing we're loved, a member of God's family, confident of our salvation. Paul wrote, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). God has poured His love and grace on us, not because of anything we've done, but because of what Christ did! We're special because we are His.
INSIGHT: Because of God's grace we can sing, “I have been crucified with Christ . . .but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). After death comes life; after crucifixion, victory.
Hope Scripture Focus: Isaiah 44:21-28 “I have made you. . . . I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:21-22).
Craftsmen in Israel had expended all their energy to produce a beautiful idol, but their best was one in the likeness of man that certainly could not renew their strength in any way. Yet God reassured Israel that His sovereign grace was at work on their behalf. He had blotted out their sins written in His book against them. He obliterated the sins of those He had redeemed, and called on His people to return to Him in repentance. He had provided for redemption and they needed to appropriate His grace. One night as law enforcement chaplain, I worked security at an athletic event. When we finished, one of the officers said, “I need to talk.” We sat for over an hour in his vehicle and talked over his life, temptations, decisions, future, and his desire to be right with God. We prayed together and in that prayer he found forgiveness, freedom, and hope. I had the privilege of reassuring him that God had swept away his offense and he could once again enjoy his redeemed status. INSIGHT: God proves His grace toward us. To be visited by Him, that is, to be made more acutely aware of His presence, adds to the excitement of being His disciple.
Pain of Discipleship Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “There was given me a thorn in my flesh. . . . I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you'“ (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
A colleague in ministry, retired after 30 years in law enforcement, has discussed his “thorn” with me many times. Though we have prayed over it and anointed him with oil, still the “thorn” exists. This burden or “thorn” is the pain of discipleship, which can be a healthy pain. It's not the pain of breakdown and death, but of healing and restoration. It builds and fashions us into the people God intends us to be. It develops incredibly strong character and perfects the image of God in us. We’re not told what the “thorn” was in Paul's life -- perhaps so we would realize that whatever our “thorn” is, we will find God sufficient to help us in our time of need. Jesus' words offer us hope. “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9). As He speaks in the present tense, He reveals the constant availability of His divine grace. He gives adequate strength, not to remove the “thorn” but to live within His grace and ability to endure it. INSIGHT: Remember that Jesus Christ came to make us victorious, not comfortable. The pain of discipleship is the path to victory.
Healthy Praying Scripture Focus: Psalm 67 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2).
As we mature in our daily walk with Him, healthy spiritual changes happen within us. Our prayers change when they revolve around the big-picture of Christ and His mission. Our requests for God to be gracious and bless us – our families, our efforts of ministry, decisions regarding our jobs -- should contain the overriding provision that God's “ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” We want God's answers to make an impact on the peoples of the world -- through us. Some years ago while serving with East Broadcasting Company in Okinawa, Japan, I had the privilege of attending the Tell Asia conference in Hong Kong. It was a life-changing event. Hundreds of missionaries and nationals from countries around Asia were there to search for ways to work together to make dramatic inroads in reaching Asia for Christ. We joined together, putting aside personal agendas, to complement one another in strategy and get the Gospel to the nations. It worked; God blessed. We had prayed for the right things. INSIGHT: When God's answers to our prayers make an impact on the world's peoples, our praying has been effective.
Giving Thanks Scripture Focus: Psalm 107 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men” (Psalm 107:1, 8).
American poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “When a nation goes down. . . [or] a society perishes, one condition may always be found. They forgot where they came from. They lost sight of what brought them along.” What’s true of nations is also true of people. How quickly we forget our heritage and roots. We should be grateful to God for His blessings: our parents, teachers and employers for their influence, our families, faith, churches, and health. Finally, we are to be thankful in all things. This one can be tough -- yet God tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This is our ultimate test of thanksgiving, and we can do this only if we are confident that God is in control of our lives. He is greater than our loneliness, our loss, our fears, our pain, or other distressing circumstances, and our fears of the unknown. Being thankful becomes a witness to others of our personal relationship with Him, and can often provide them with the freedom they need to take advantage of the open door of thanksgiving. INSIGHT: Gratitude is our response to God's grace. It may be difficult to express, but it is a certain sign of being at peace with yourself and with God.
Revive Us Again Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 36:24-30 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees (Ezekiel 36:2627).
God's prophet Ezekiel describes Israel's restoration to the Lord and her national salvation. Included also are the themes of forgiveness, new life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience. These ingredients are also needed for us to live faithfully for Christ today. How do we respond appropriately to God's grace toward us? First, we need to come to grips with His call on our lives. He calls us to be the connection between God and people, bringing them into awareness of the Gospel and His gift of salvation. Second, we are to be people of character. Our hearts must be His! As God sought for a man “after His own heart” in David (1 Samuel 13:14), He seeks men and women today who have a heart for Him. Third, He wants us to learn how to exercise the gifts and talents He has given us. That comes as we learn to know His heart, His passion, and then make the most of every opportunity offered to us. INSIGHT: God desires to use us in spite of our weaknesses so long as we have a commitment to become people of Christian character.
To Save Lives Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 “Be diligent. . . . Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
In his book, No Heroes, Danny Coulson [FBI ret.] describes his responsibility to develop the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. He writes of the team members, “We ask them to handle the most dangerous assignment imaginable. . . . The HRT motto -- To Save Lives.” His book describes the selection process and the difficult training and preparedness that members of the HRT must subscribe to. Their motto should be the goal of every Christian: To Save Lives! The apostle Paul challenged Timothy to be diligent in focusing on priorities: on the Scriptures and the use of the gift God had given him for service. He was to watch closely his own godly life and be true to the teaching he had learned, being alert to both opportunities and danger. Timothy had received God’s grace, and he would be the human instrument God would use to save lives. Paul himself was imprisoned for his commitment to his calling. It is serious business for you and
me as well, being part of God's HRT, working hard to save lives. INSIGHT: God calls us to develop friendships with non-Christian people and to engage them in genuine dialogue about values, ideas, and faith.
Covenant of Grace Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 31:31-34 “`The time is coming,' declares the Lord, `when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. . . . I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31,33).
I am writing in the north woods, overlooking a beautiful lake with snow covering the ground. There's not a sound in the cottage other than the crackling fire. These are days to reflect on God's love and grace, to simply reflect on Him. Today’s verses show God’s desire for His people. He wants a new covenant with them, in contrast to the old Mosaic Covenant which had failed. This New Covenant would carry with it a spiritual dynamic of grace and blessing. God never gives up! Even when His people rebelled and persisted in sin, God was planning the greatest gift of all -- the sending of His Son, with the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost. He has an insatiable desire to make Himself known to us, and for us to really know Him. His promise, made in the darkest period of Israel's history, is ours too in the darkest days of our lives. He invites us to respond to Him, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). INSIGHT: We can call to God in the storms of life, knowing that Jesus Christ is the bridge from the heart of God to our hearts.
Relationship Scripture Focus:
Genesis 5:18-24; Hebrews 11:5-6 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death. . . . For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
We don't know much about Enoch other than he had an amazing relationship with God. They were friends. Only one other man, Noah, is said to have enjoyed this intimacy of relationship in walking with God (Genesis 6:8-9). The general idea of the Hebrew word for “walk” includes walking carefully and perseveringly. God wants an intimate relationship with you and me, and our part is to pursue that relationship on a regular basis. Enoch pleased God. They enjoyed genuine friendship. Imagine! We have discovered these past months that our nation's strength is measured by the value we put on people. A tight web of friendship and commitment exists when we value others. Jesus knew this and He spent time developing relationships of love and trust with His chosen disciples. He reached out to those less desirable of society – the leper, the blind, the immoral, and the haughty. He made them His friends. What He did for them, He wants to do for us. What grace! INSIGHT: What really matters is not the achievements we make or the status we hold, but the relationships we develop.
God's Strength Scripture Focus: Isaiah 40:28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:28).
There are times when energy is gone and our minds are frazzled, and still we must press on. I was paged one morning by State Patrol radio: “Chaplain, call Sgt -- we need your help!” It turned out to be a full day of difficult death notifications. There had been a horrible accident on the interstate. Three precious people had lost their lives, and Sergeant and I spent the day talking with the families to begin the process of developing a system of support for those now left behind. Regardless of how many notifications I've made over the years as a law enforcement chaplain, it has never become easy. Driving from location to location that day, I found myself begging God for needed strength to deal with the families. The words of Isaiah offered strength and hope. There’s a principle here. Praying believers enjoy God's strength in times of trial. His power, grace, and love never diminish. He's never too tired or too busy to listen and help us. For me, He was there in a special way on that painful day.
INSIGHT: We allow God to demonstrate His grace to us when we come to Him with empty hands, no hidden agenda, no crossed fingers, but an openness to Him.
Freedom Scripture Focus: Romans 6:15-23 “Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed. . . .You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).
While serving with Far East Broadcasting Company on Okinawa, I was privileged to interview Major General Fred Haynes, Commander of the Third Marine Division. In response to a question I asked, he said that his most memorable experience in serving our country was in the World War II battle for Iwo Jima. Marines had just taken Mt. Surabichi and were defending their position. A colleague banged on his helmet and pointed toward the top of the hill. Then Lt. Haynes spun around and looked up just in time to see the flag being raised. Today that memory is a monument to our freedom. Freedom is vital to us. Paul reminds us that an apprentice trains under a master, who molds his apprentice in the skills of his craft. As Christians, we have chosen our Master, Jesus, to pattern ourselves after Him, learning the spiritual values of life, Kingdom living, and freedom from slavery to sin. Lt. Haynes looked to the flag. We look to Jesus and find our freedom in Him. INSIGHT: Because of God's grace, we can face the enemy, not from fear but from power, since we have become servants of the risen Savior.
Fervent in Love Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 4:7-9 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:7-8).
With the terrorist attacks on America, law enforcement, reserve officers, and chaplains have been placed on the highest alert. While I worked a special assignment with several officers, one asked, “Hey, Chaplain, are these the end times?” We talked about prophecy, the need for us to be ready to meet Christ, the reality of God's love and grace, and a few simple guidelines for living in these days. That's what Peter wrote about. With the burning of Rome, Christians being blamed, persecution spreading, he set down some valid guidelines for that day, and ours. First, time is short. We need a fresh sense of urgency about how we live. Second, we are to be clear minded, to show sound judgment, be self-controlled and alert so we can pray effectively. Third, we need a relationship of love and care for each other. Our love should be fervent -- stretched as a runner stretching to the limit to win the prize. Such love puts others above ourselves, amplifying what Christ has done for us through His grace and love. INSIGHT: To fervently love others is to look beyond their faults and see them through the eyes of Jesus and His love for them, making an eternal difference.
Christ's Personal Appeal Scripture Focus: Psalm 100 “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:2-3).
I memorized this Psalm years ago in my confirmation class. Ever since, I've been impressed with God's personal touch on my life (see v. 3). God staked His claim on my life because He created me. He also claimed me because He has redeemed me. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). There’s also another claim, a very personal one. He still asks for my love, loyalty, and service. “I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). He appeals to me on the basis of His mercy, grace, and love. He doesn't blast me with His power, or force me into this commitment, but urges me to give myself wholly to Him. It's a gentle, spiritual calling of God, leading to an active, sacrificial involvement in serving Him, affecting the lives of others. Reflect on God’s mercy and grace toward you. Read Psalm 100 and then Romans 12, asking God for a fresh grasp on His call and service.
INSIGHT: God's ultimate intention is for a family of mature children on whom He can pour out His grace and love, and who will love Him in return.
Days of Danger Scripture Focus: Isaiah 31:1-3 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots . . . but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord” (Isaiah 31:1).
The topography of Egypt made the use of horses and chariots valuable. When Israel turned from God to Egypt, they placed their trust in the strength and might of their neighbors. To the natural man, security comes from power, military might, or economic strength, but to those who are spiritual, protection is found in a Person. In these days of danger, we need to make certain that our protection is found in the Person, rather than in horses and chariots. Isaiah wrote a few pages later, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (41:10). The bottom line of our safety is the presence of God. His presence is so close that He squeezes Himself between my peril and myself. He delivered Israel from the pursuing Egyptians by coming “between” them (Exodus 14:20) and that's how He will deliver us. INSIGHT: Remember that no territory is neutral. Satan's advance is to set himself against those deeply involved in becoming God's messengers of hope.
Steps to Spiritual Survival Scripture Focus: Romans 8:31-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
These are critical days for the church. As a friend recently expressed it, “If you're not burning hot for God, your wood's wet.” We live under a number of threats masterminded by the evil one, yet our confidence is in Christ. Paul has given us “a hymn of security.” How do we survive and come out on top? My close friend and colleague, Dr. Harold Sala, has given us a number of secrets to surviving joyfully. These are so important that we can use them to measure our relationship and commitment to Christ on a scale of 1-10: 1.
Have a wholehearted love for God.
2.
Have a wholehearted commitment to God.
3.
Have wholehearted service to God.
4.
Enjoy being filled with the Spirit of God.
5.
Develop spiritual strength for battle.
6.
Develop a passionate love for people.
7.
Have the confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
What is your score? INSIGHT: Missionary statesman C.T. Studd once said, “If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”
From Death to Life Scripture Focus: Psalm 40:1-5 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:2-3).
My pager went off at the same time my cell phone rang. An officer spoke urgently. “Come now! We have a man buried alive.” New sewer pipe was being laid; the ditch was 10 feet deep; a worker was checking the pipe when the wall caved in. My next hours were spent watching, waiting for discovery of the body, meeting with family members to prepare them for the worst. I was standing by the wife when one rescue worker shouted, “I have an arm!” After five hours of removing dirt bucket by bucket, this man was found alive. He had survived the impossible, trapped in an air pocket, barely able to breathe, but in the end it was enough. The gathered crowd cheered and prayed. God has done that for you and me. We were flung into the pit of sin and despair, left helpless to save ourselves. In His grace, God has delivered us out of that hopeless situation, taken us from no footing to sure footing, and given us a new song of praise to Him. INSIGHT: “In His love and pity, God came to us in Christ,” wrote A.W. Tozer. We will spend eternity singing our praises to Him.
Spiritual Combat Scripture Focus: Ephesians 6:10-20 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Today's verses also are a reminder of the spiritual conflict that rages within and around us. God has invited us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), thus praying defensively -- placing God's protecting presence around ourselves and others, and offensively – taking the initiative to thwart satanic diversions. When we take initiative in prayer, we gain advantage over potential enemy schemes. One of the greatest prayer intercessors was Rees Howells. On one occasion Howells' prayer life did battle with the forces of hell mobilized throughout Nazi Germany. This servant pleaded with God to reach out and stop Hitler from taking more of Europe. God seemed silent -- Hitler kept rolling. God's Spirit seemed to say to Howells, “In My time!” Hitler kept moving. Howells found peace, and kept praying. One day when he was directed to pray against Hitler's advance, Hitler made a major blunder and sealed his defeat by the allied forces. Never give up praying! INSIGHT: One believer's commitment to prayer holds inestimable value. God is sovereign. Our task is to discern and agree with His purposes.
Strength to Pray Scripture Focus: Daniel 10:1-12 “`Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard’” (Daniel 10:12).
The powers of darkness seem to disrupt or distort our reception of God's guidance and grace. For Daniel, God's praying servant, high level satanic beings were hard at work to block communication from the throne of God. Such attacks come especially when we are praying for the lost, prayers that hold eternal destinies in the balance. Satan wants to scramble any communication between us and heaven. Daniel caught a glimpse of that battle between supernatural powers of good and evil. It would seem that three weeks passed before the messenger came to Daniel. Yet, Daniel was faithful in prayer, finally hearing from heaven. For him it was a stressful time, to say the least. He lost his speech, but the messenger's touch restored it. He felt weak, but the messenger's words strengthened him. Reassurance came as a hand touched him and a voice reassured him, “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed. . . .Peace! Be strong now; be strong” (v. 19). INSIGHT: Our praying will be challenged by evil forces, but God's grace is never in short supply. Let's pray fervently and earnestly, then expect to hear from God in His perfect timing.
Coming off the Mountain Scripture Focus: Matthew 17:1-13 “`Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters. . . .' A voice from the cloud said, `This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’” (Matthew 17:4-5).
It's hard to come off the mountain. My wife and I have been enjoying a few days of vacation in the north woods. It's just beautiful! Our time away was desperately needed, but now we have met with the Lord, been refreshed, renewed, and are again challenged to hit the streets of ministry.
Often, when on the mountain of spiritual refreshment and insight, we want to act like Peter. We'd like to build a place to stay. But Peter had the wrong idea. The mountain is a place for worship, silence, adoration. He wanted to capture the moment, but he needed to learn from it and then move on. He saw Christ but seemed to be limited in his understanding. The Father corrected any misconceptions that Peter had when He spoke His words about who His Son really is. The message is simple. Christ is enough, and to have Him and nothing else is to be rich beyond any imagination. The Father says, “Listen to Him.” So we must! INSIGHT: As Christians, we are strong or weak, depending on how closely we have cultivated the knowledge of God.
“Brace and Pray” Scripture Focus: Isaiah 45:1-6 “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).
I read an account of a routine airplane flight that ended in near tragedy. All was going well when the captain discovered that there was a problem. Using a code number, he alerted the flight attendants, “Please prepare the cabin. We're going to land.” Immediately the passengers were instructed to brace themselves and that “the only important thing is your life. Don't take anything else.” Before landing, the attendants yelled, “Brace and pray . . . brace and pray . . . brace and pray!” Though there was a fire aboard, the plane landed safely and all passengers and crew were unharmed. In the dark times of life, those times of insecurity and uncertainty, God wants us to simply “Brace and pray!” We have nowhere else to go. Some of God's finest treasures can be experienced in darkness -- treasures like the assurance of His presence, the promise of His strength, assurance that His grace will bring us through. INSIGHT: We should pray to be stronger believers, not for easier lives; for power equal to our tasks, not for easier tasks. We can count on God's grace to enable us.
Getting Through It All Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 9:25-31 “And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time” (Nehemiah 9:28).
I serve on a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team. We are often called out to meet with individuals or groups of people who have gone through a traumatic event. Our responsibility is to listen, discern, and guide them through their emotions, reviewing the facts of the event, then helping them find hope for the days ahead. Nehemiah describes God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic Covenant throughout Israel's national history. For Israel, these years were filled with stress, failure, rest, more failure, then a return to God. Over and over we see God's love and grace directed to Israel. Nehemiah observed, “In your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God” (v. 31). We too experience times of failure, stress, and uncertainty, yet God never abandons us. What God did for Israel, He can do for us if we will turn to Him. That's how we get through it all. INSIGHT: The benefits of living in God's grace are numerous: maturity in faith, guilt free lifestyle, and eternal life. It gets no better than this.
The Heart of Christianity Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).
The heart of Christianity is relationship, not form or religion. Paul describes the struggles of life (v. 13), and pulls a thought from Psalm 116:10, “I believed, therefore I have spoken.” He is confident that
as he asks God for help to deliver him out of his trouble, that God in His grace will do so. That is because God is interested in relationship. One of my favorite authors is Henri Nouwen. When I listened to him on several occasions, it was obvious that he wanted people to know Jesus Christ intimately. He talked about the distractions that keep this from happening, the little foxes that chase us: complaints, disagreements, traditions that keep us in bondage rather than in freedom. To Nouwen the only thing that really mattered was his close relationship with Jesus. All else in his life was formed out of that. I remember him simply saying to us in ministry, “Take five minutes a day every day for two weeks and just sit quietly and ask to be with Jesus. Ask for His presence. Then come and tell me what's important.” Take five! INSIGHT: Take note of the distractions -- good and bad in daily living. Challenge them, list them, and then put them aside while you spend time with Jesus.
Practical Sharing Scripture Focus: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
As I think of how intimately God loves us, I find myself reminding others of His wonderful love and grace, in spite of the failures in our lives. It's natural to feel regret about how we have blown it or misjudged others, yet God is so faithful to us. God's love had become Paul's love, and Paul wanted others to know how deeply he cared. Can we do any less? Here are five keys to what we might call relational evangelism: 1. Prove we care. Today’s society is skeptical. People wonder if we really care. Show them we do. 2. Live the Gospel. Live so that people clearly see something different about us, the difference that Jesus Christ makes. 3. Offer the Gospel. Develop simple ways of telling your spiritual story. Memorize a few key scriptures, letting them become a part of your story. 4. Be available. Make time to walk alongside and encourage others. Live so they realize they are not just another target. 5. Bathe your efforts in believing prayer. INSIGHT: The way we live can help others see and trust the Savior that they may not have seen.
Defeating the Giants Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 17:41-51 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).
As a law enforcement chaplain, I am often confronted by the giants in people’s lives. They hang like water buffalo around our necks, tending to smother our spirits and rob us of God's joy. As I counsel hurting people, we spend a lot of time working through the issues -- large and small -- and try to come up with a game plan to conqueror these giants. God enables our victory! The account of David and Goliath teaches us so much about defeating giants and finding victory. Here are a few: First, remember the fight is God’s. David claimed, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” Second, take one giant at a time. Israel had many enemies. David took the one causing the current problem. Third, use the weapons you have at hand. David used the weapon he had trained with. Fourth, keep it simple. David got rid of the high-tech junk of his day and relied on a sling and stones. Not very impressive, but very effective. Fifth, just do it! INSIGHT: The account of David and Goliath suggests that most of our problems – even the big ones -- can be dealt with very simply when we put our trust in the Lord.
Grace to Serve Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 8:20-9:2 “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved. . . . Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:20,22).
Our church has developed a strategic plan that gives us direction for ministry. One slice of our pie
chart represents our visible commitment to evangelism. Jeremiah wrote that without salvation, his people were spiritually dead. Without Jesus as our Savior, you and I are “dead” in our sins. But “God, who is rich is mercy, has made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5). Now we are called to be His “workmanship,” to be spiritually productive in ways He has planned for us (v. 10). The need is for an army of soldiers dedicated to Christ, who believe He is God, that He can fulfill every promise He ever made, and that nothing is too hard for Him. This is the only way we can accomplish what is on God's heart -- getting the Gospel to every creature. Jesus commissioned His followers, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). He was saying, “I have the authority to give you the order and the power to back you to the hilt.” INSIGHT: The need of this hour is to believe God is God, and He is interested in getting the job done. Our business is to obey and trust Him to enable us to accomplish it.
A God-Intoxicated Person Scripture Focus: Philippians 4:1-9 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
One of my chaplain colleagues is truly a God-intoxicated man. He is wonderfully sensitive to the needs of people. He is always a special encouragement, always has time, always is positive, always is finding ways to strengthen the relationship. It's obvious to those of us who know him that he is consumed with Christ. Our walk with God should make us gentle with others, rather than just being sound in our doctrinal beliefs. Our service to God needs to make us people-prone. We must leave the place of worship on the level of people. Our Savior came from His Father dressed in human flesh, and that's our pattern. If we tend to be intolerant, demanding, and superior, something is wrong. Our hearts and spirits have not been softened by His touch. I may have God in my life, but not enough of Him to intoxicate me. These are critical days for all of us, and the apostle Paul tells us that we are to “let our gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” INSIGHT: For gentleness that will make the loving and living Savior evident to all, I need to be more than just touched by God; I need to be consumed by His presence.
Learning Lessons Scripture Focus: Romans 15:1-7 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
I keep in my library a huge binder labeled Instruction Manual, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Within the pages of this binder are the strategies, methodologies, defensive analysis, laws and interpretations of laws, and many other helpful chapters for those who have chosen a profession in law enforcement. God’s Word is our Manual, offering instruction in guidance, help, and challenge to live for Christ. It's all there in the Book. Within the Book is the promise that we will be encouraged to endure on the road of life, however He leads, and in this encouragement we will discover hope. The word that Paul uses for “teach” carries with it the authority of the Teacher. Christ knows the stresses and pressures of life that we encounter. He has endured them Himself and, through the written record, has given us a plan of endurance that will lead to our encouragement and hope. It's grounded in the fact that He has been there before us and has paved the way. INSIGHT: Everything about God should fill us with supreme awe. He is the inexhaustible foundation of all being, life, intelligence, wisdom, power, good, grace, and true happiness.
In the Potter's Hand Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 18:1-4 “`Go down to the potter's house. . . .' The pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him” (Jeremiah 18:2,4).
The Lord directed his prophet Jeremiah to visit the potter's house in order to learn a lesson. What he learned there has valuable instruction for us today. We need to keep in mind that the potter has power over the clay. With his skill and creative power he brings into being that which was not. When the clay does not develop into the desired shape, the potter also has recreative power, at times remaking and molding the clay into a vessel of beauty and honor.
You and I are the clay being held in God's hand -- born twice. We are not an object, but His creation to be engaged in His service with His blessing. How can this become reality? God, whose heart overflows with grace toward us, has saved us and works today to make us His “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Let's live responsively to our Potter's molding. INSIGHT: It's good to know that when we've been marred and broken, God is not through with us yet. He is merely remolding us for His good purpose.
Age of Rage Scripture Focus: Psalm 37:1-11 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret” (Psalm 37:8). ”The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. . .will himself. . . make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
In my file is an article that alerts us to shopping cart rage at the local grocery store. Road rage may be one thing, but how dare you block the isle of a supermarket with your cart! That's how the article goes. The author's bottom line is, “If we're going to avoid unnecessary violence, we all need to `keep our cool.'“ In Psalm 37 David gives us direction for becoming people of grace rather than rage. We are not to worry, but to trust in the Lord and actually delight in Him, no matter what our circumstances may be. We are to commit our way to Him and let Him work out the details of our lives. That’s practical advice for ambassadors of Christ, but how can you and I keep our cool when we're under stress personally and meet people who want to punish us for their stress? Peter, Jesus' apostle of expressive feelings, counsels us that the God of all grace will give us His strength to enable us to be people of grace, even in the most stressful situations. INSIGHT: God does His most electrifying work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, anger, suffering, or desperation, Jesus is there in His love and grace.
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