April 15

A True Bargain

… present your bodies a living sacrifice … which is your reasonable service….

Romans 12:1b (NKJV)

Sacrificing one’s life really doesn’t sound reasonable, does it? I mean, come on. We’re supposed to die without a second thought, and this is reasonable?

It is. Paul understood just how reasonable this sacrifice is. Others have learned the principle as well, but perhaps none as well as the dedicated missionary, Jim Elliot, who said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

I’ve come to the place in my life where I understand and agree. If God’s Son went to the cross and died for me that I might have a rich eternal life with Him, isn’t it reasonable, to offer Him my life on earth. I mean, isn’t this the LEAST I can do when He has given me so much?

It’s not much, but really, all I can give Him is what He asks for anyway—my life. It’s not just reasonable. It’s more than reasonable—it’s a bargain!

Lord, use my life for Your glory. Amen.

April 14

Lord, Take My Life

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

2 Corinthians 4:11 (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul faced death, repeatedly, because of his active witness for Christ. This amazing man willingly gave his life in service to Christ … and so should we.

While you and I may not face the threat of physical death because of our witness for and service to Christ, as His followers, we are asked to lose our lives for His sake—just as He gave His for ours.

While death to self seems a hard thing, it is actually quite freeing and in effect … empowering. For when we die to self … His life takes over. And when we forfeit our strengths, His divine power becomes active. And when we surrender our will, His will becomes clearer and His work gets done.

This is walking by faith. This is life as it was meant to be lived. This is … His life.

Father, take my life and let it be … consecrated, Lord, to thee. Amen.

April 13

Finding True Treasure

We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with special wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)

This is what I want more than anything! To know and do God’s will for me—isn’t this what every striving believer wants?

Paul prayed for these Colossians—that they might attain special wisdom and do God’s will through their kind deeds. Similarly, Paul told the Romans to be transformed by the renewing of their minds with the intended result that they would prove God’s good and acceptable and perfect will.

This transformation comes as we seek God with an open heart and as we pray and listen and read His word and do as He lays on our hearts.

If I could I could ask God for a gift today, this would be it: His special wisdom. And yet, He offers it to us all freely … today and everyday. Seek Him wholeheartedly and you will find this priceless gift.

Lord, open our eyes and ears. Help us as we seek Your will, to find this treasure. Amen.

April 12

The Better Road

Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)

If God has all our heart, we have nothing to fear. And in our minds we come to know: shucking this skin of selfish design is a very freeing experience. We begin to live life on His terms as He intended. Since He is perfect, what a life it is!

The abundant life Jesus promises (John 10:10) becomes ours as we seek His will. It’s not necessarily the life the world would choose, but it is life that is so much better.

Seeking His will surely means abandoning our own. But by seeking it whole-heartedly, we discover the greatest truth man can know—His will for our lives.

How about you? Have you stopped to ask for directions lately?

Lord, You are perfect and I am not. Show me Your good will and direct my steps. Let my life be full and meaningful for You and for others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

April 11

The Gift

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! … Love her and she will watch over you.

Proverbs 4:5, 6 (NAS)

Over thirty years ago, the girl I thought I would marry gave me a new Bible for Christmas. On its cover page, she had written the words of Proverbs 4:5, 6.

It was a precious gift back then, but as I reread these words, it has become even more precious. For though the expected relationship never materialized, this very dear woman has given me not only fond memories, but deep, life-directing truth. These words from Proverbs are true and I can testify that a genuine love for the word of God yields rich fruit indeed. The norms and standards she (wisdom) teaches, her precepts, her promises shape our views, soften our hearts and motivate us to good and proper actions.

When my friend gave me this Bible with these very special words, she gave me more than a gift. She gave me life!

Lord, add Your blessing to all who seek after You. Grant us wisdom, show us Your love, and let us walk with You ... in wisdom. Amen.

April 10

Off the Path.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV)

I recently read the story of a woman hiking in Hawaii who mistakenly got off the trail. Instead of turning around, she tried taking a shortcut back to the path, but as she continued to press ahead, she would up stranded—suspended on the pinnacle of a cliff at night! Later the next day, a daring helicopter crew finally rescued her. It was not a fun experience.

Sometimes, I find myself in a similar situation, surrounded by darkness and clinging to a rock of sorts. Usually I get off-track because of something someone else says or does—something I disagree with or just don’t like. This is when I so easily get out of step with God’s Spirit. This is when I leave His path for my own wild adventure. Before too long, I find myself stranded, distanced from others, far from where I should be, sometimes afraid, and usually very unhappy.

There’s a way to recover, and it’s the same thing that will prevent me from getting off-track to begin with. It’s simple: look away from self and look to God. If I follow God’s advice and humble myself and pray and seek His face, He will work with me to get me back on the trail (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Sometimes, it seems hard. In fact, getting back may seem impossible, but really it only requires an act of God … in an obedient heart.

Done any trail blazing on your own lately? If so, ask God to show you the way back. There’s nothing He wants more.

Lord, show us the way to You. Guide our steps. Amen.

April 09

Seeds that Count

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6b (NIV)

Use every chance you have for doing good….

Ephesians 5:16a (NCV)

He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NAS)

Just as the farmer who wants a good crop puts out a good amount of seed, so the attentive Christian will seek as many opportunities to show love while living a life of good works.

It is the whole purpose of our being—to love God and please Him in both word and deed. Paul’s words remind us of the priority: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” And our faith hinges on God and His great love.

The Psalmist says, “Your love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). When we finally see God’s love in these terms, our faith will overflow with love. And these seeds count!

Lord, help me today to show your love. Help me to plant seeds that count. Help me to love like You do. Amen.