February 08

Change that Gets Noticed


I began telling people that they should change their hearts and lives and turn to God and do things to show they really had changed.

Acts 26:20a (NCV)


… be ye transformed …

Romans 12:2 (KJV)


Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

Romans 12:2 (NCV)


In Acts 26, Paul is preaching to the elite, the authorities, the politicians, the suave, the sophisticated, the smooth talkers, and he makes it simple.

“Change,” he says. “I tell people to change their hearts and then change their actions to prove they really have changed.”

This is the evidence of someone who trusts Christ completely: change. And we see it. Something good. Something new. Something better. And others take note too.

We’re not like the world, because the world is not what we want. Instead, we want Him. We want to know Him, to please Him, to be more like Him. And when we do know Him, really know Him, and when we do please Him, and when we are more like Him … people notice!


Lord, fill my heart with knowledge of, and a desire for, more of You. Make me different. Change me for good—Your good. Amen.

February 07

Three Steps to God’s Rescue 911


The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer….”

Psalm 91:14-15a (NLT)


“… we have three things to do to lead us to that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 (the Message)


The Apostle Paul distilled the truly important thoughts of life into three distinct areas: faith, hope and love. The psalmist focuses all three on one character: God. And it’s understandable, in times of trouble we will focus on God. He is our ultimate hope, our hero, our rescuer and, unfortunately, for too many … our last resort. But look at Him in a different way. He cares; He promises; He is faithful. You can count on God to do the right thing, and His heart’s desire is to take care of His own.

So who are these people?

- They are the ones who love. They love God. They love their neighbor. And their love is active; it helps; it responds.

- They are the ones who trust. They are full of faith and they themselves are faithful. They believe God; they seek God; they walk with God.

- They are full of hope as well, confident in God, and they prove it by running to Him in prayer. They call on the One they love, the One they trust. And He responds!


LORD, accept my love and help it grow. Find me faithful and help my unbelief. Hear my cry and prove Yourself true … true to Your promise. Amen.

February 06

Noble Values


How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

Proverbs 16:16 (NAS)


Godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)


A truly noble soul knows priorities and places far less value on money and possessions than on people and relationships. Just so, the noble Christ follower pursues right living, right processes and right relationships. And in all probability, when the believer’s priorities and pursuits are right, blessings follow.

I think this is a common understanding and the wisdom of old. Consider these words of the Jewish pilgrims who, during their annual feasts, sang songs as they ascended from the fertile plain to the glorious heights of Jerusalem. One song began: “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways” (Psalm 128:1). This joyful song rose from the lips of thousands along the way. They knew this truth backwards and forwards and many lived it as well. They were reminded to apply the truth and when they did they typically saw God’s blessing.

Later, these Psalms of the Old Testament were joined with the parables and promises of the New. Consider these words of Christ: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Powerful, life-changing truth!

These points are worth possessing. Instead of busting our guts for the ever-illusive fortune, let us pursue God and allow Him to bless us in better ways. When we do this, we will learn what the psalmist knew all along, “You shall be happy and it shall be well with you” (Psalm 128:2). Truly, it doesn't get any better than this!


Lord, You know what I need. Right now, more than anything, I need You. Enter my life in good ways (Rev 3:20). Today, do good things in me and add Your blessing. Amen.

February 05

Remembering


Eat friends, and drink; yes drink deeply, lovers.

Song of Songs 5:1b (NCV)


My wife finished reading her chapter and came to bed. It was dark as we lay in bed in the cool night air staring at the ceiling.

I wanted to share with her the warmth of this verse and how much it meant to me … to us … or, at the least, to my understanding of us.

This thought of us being friends and lovers had carried me all the way back to our beginning and I tried to share the thought.

“Do you remember our first date? How we sat in the rain at the football game? How we shared an umbrella and you laughed at all my jokes … my terrible, corny jokes?”
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“Did we win or lose?”
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“We were crushed.”
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“Oh, yeah.”
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I don’t remember what was said next, but it seemed only one of us was getting sentimental that night, but that’s okay. There will be plenty more times to speak of friendship and love, to remember and retell … to recall and relive … to regroup and move ahead.
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It’s what friends do, and I’m learning … it’s what lovers need more of.
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Father, You call us to remembrance, so help us to remember. Help us to really love. Help us ... to truly live. Amen.