Identity Check

Who are you? If your answer is based on your name, your upbringing, your achievements, your family history, your hopes, your disappointments, etc. then you’re a victim of identity theft if you are a follower of Jesus. You’ve allowed your true identity to be stolen and replaced by a lesser identity. 

Note that Paul while acknowledging the role of his past experiences (both positive and negative) as shaping him, points to his position in Christ as that which truly defines him (Philippians 3:1-16). So powerful is this Christ-centered definition of himself that he incredibly considers all that once gave him pride as ‘rubbish’ only to be discarded!—“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

As you go through your day make sure you have the right identity in mind. You aren’t who you were so let God define the new you. How? Here are a few steps that will assist you in this discovery:

1. Spend time reading Bible passages that describe the identity of Christians—Ephesians 1; Colossians 3; and other passages you can discover as you read through the Bible.
2. Memorize a statement of who you are in Christ that counters your feelings or experiences.
3. Identify a godly encourager who you can call on to remind you of how God sees you.

“Father, help we your children to realize how common identity theft is among our brothers and sisters, and even in our own lives. Then give us the strength to live in our true identity each moment of this day.”

A Quick Prayer

As we noted in yesterday’s examination of James 1:2—4 our attitude (‘consider it all joy’) in going through various trials determines God’s ability to use those challenges to buid endurance in us which will eventually make us more like Christ. So, have you started your day with the right attitude/outlook?

A great way to get our attitude/outlook on the proper focus is to whisper this prayer—“Lord help me to bear fruit today, to respond in a way that the world cannot, by bringing those things into my life that will grow me into the image of Jesus.”

Try it, and have a blessed day.

Walk This Way

As you examine the story of the anointing of Jesus in Mark 14:1—9 it is very important to note that only one person knew the significance of the woman’s act—Jesus. Even the woman did not know the significance of her act to His life. Yet, what separated her from the others in this account was that she had a totally surrendered devotion to Jesus that allowed the Holy Spirit to use her act of love, to provide a wonderful gift to the soon to die Savior. Her anointing prepared Jesus’ body for proper Jewish burial days before He was going to die. 

Realize that today you will make decisions and perform acts that the Holy Spirit wants to use to further the will of God on earth. You may never know, though, the impact your choices will have. That is why it is so important for each of us to take the example of this woman to heart. As you go through your day slow down long enough to let your devotion to Jesus guide your walk. We do this by praying for God’s guidance and seeking His direction throughout the course of our day.

Our Vision/Destination:
A Church Family where the Triangle will see, hear, & touch the diversity of God’s grace.

Focusing on God

As you go through your day today please remember where our strength comes from. Please don’t allow what you see, hear, or feel redirect your focus from where it needs to be placed. Let me remind you that whatever you face today, God can empower you to walk through it and to triumph in the midst of it. But the key is keeping your focus on Him. These are the last words of Habakkuk in his great book:

The Challenges:
Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
  and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
  and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
  and the cattle barns empty,

The Effect of a God-ward Focus:
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
  I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
  I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
  I feel like I’m king of the mountain!
Habakkuk 3:17—19 (The Message)

Have you begun your day walking in your strength? An indication of this is what holds your attention as your day begins. Take a few moments to pray that the Lord will be your focus throughout this day.

What Do You Fear?

In the ancient world it was a common practice to fear the natural forces (such as floods, droughts, crop failures, plagues, etc.) that were out of their control and occurred in the world around them. So focused were many of these cultures on the devastation and disaster these natural forces could wreak that they literally gave these forces personalities and worshipped them as their gods.

Yet God wanted His people Israel to not fear these forces, and definitely not to appease them by worshipping them. Rather He continually challenged Israel to focus and trust in Him as their ultimate protector and warrior. To the greatness Yahweh the Bible presents these natural forces as subservient to God and as powerless as attendants who walked before and after a great ruler in the ancient world proclaiming that ruler’s supreme greatness. This is the picture that Habakkuk paints as he states in Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, and plague comes after Him.”  The response to such a realization is highlighted by the Psalmist in Psalm 91—

“For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence” (v. 3)

“You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon” (v. 5-6)

So, what fear has gripped your heart and imagination? Is it a sickness that has stalked your family for generations? Is it that a threat might come to past? Whatever your fear might be remember that it too must bow before the God who reigns supreme. Won’t you cast your care upon Him today because He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7)?

Our Vision/Destination:
A Church Family where the Triangle will see, hear, & touch the diversity of God’s grace.

Stay in Control Of Your Finances

As God challenged Habakkuk to realize that He is fully aware and active in the ‘real world,’ may we also realize this truth in respect to our finances. Remember to stay in control of your finances for the misuse of credit and the accumulation of debt is not in accordance with His desire for us. Note the words of derision towards Babylon in Habakkuk 2:7

    Will not your creditors rise up suddenly,
      And those who collect from you awaken?
      Indeed, you will become plunder for them.

If God has spoken to your heart to make changes please contact Greg Ulmer who is over Grace’s Financial Counseling Ministry —gulmer@nc.rr.com

INVEST (time, prayers, resources, etc.) in someone then INVITE that person to church.

The Role of Faith in Life

How do you view faith’s place in your hike through life? For many believers the role of faith in the journey of life is more like an item packed away in a backpack whereas others view it as a compass that is constantly utilized. 

For many faith is an item that having been already obtained is safely packed away, checked off the ‘to pack’ list and awaits any unforeseen opportunities where we may have to use it.

But Habakkuk’s view of faith—‘But the righteous will live by his faith’ (Habakkuk 2:4)—presents its role as more like a compass. Like a compass, faith is to be depended on to point us in the right direction, constantly moving us towards God, even when our surroundings are unfamiliar. Faith encourages us that we are heading in the right direction so that we can move boldly forward, even when we don’t feel sure of our ability to guide ourselves.

So, what role is faith playing in your life today? 

This week we’re in Habakkuk 2:6—8 so take some time to prepare for our gathering Sunday.

God’s Promises

‘Promises promises.’ Sometimes we can come to the Word of God in this way. Maybe it is because of promises that were given to us in the past that were never fulfilled. I want to remind you that God never fails to keep His promises. A ‘not yet’ is not a ‘never will be.’ This is the key emphasis that God makes to the nation of Judah in Habakkuk 2:3. After telling Habakkuk to write the vision for all to see so that they might respond accordingly, God then goes on to emphasize that although the fulfillment of the promise might take a while they can be certain that the fulfillment is coming. Note God’s emphasis:

The message I give you
waits for the time I have appointed.
It speaks about what is going to happen.
And all of it will come true.
It might take a while.
But wait for it.
You can be sure it will come.
It will happen when I want it to.
(New International Version)

What promises of God are you trusting in and waiting on to be fulfilled? However great it might seem to be, and however long it might be taking don’t give up on it. Don’t lose heart and don’t cease to wait in excited expectation. God is not a man that He should lie ‘so though it tarries, wait for it.’

INVEST (time, prayers, resources, etc.) in someone then INVITE that person to church.

Our Only Hope

Have you ever been so frustrated with the state of things that you’ve turned off the news, pushed the paper aside and just agonized “Why are things so bad?” That is the sentiment of Habakkuk who is tired of seeing the outbreak of international hostilities, marriages shattered, life savings become worthless or stolen, young people making horrible life choices, political corruption, and moral bankruptcy in society. Can’t you hear the agony in his words?

“Lord, how long do I have to call out for help? Why don’t you listen to me? How long must I keep telling you that things are terrible? Why don’t you save us? Why do you make me watch while people treat others so unfairly? Why do you put up with the wrong things they are doing?
I have to look at death. People are harming others. They are arguing and fighting all the time.
The law can’t do what it’s supposed to do. Fairness never comes out on top. Sinful people surround those who do what is right. So people are never treated fairly.”  Habakkuk 1—4 (New International Version)
Whoever said that the Bible is not relevant has never read Habakkuk. His words are so relevant we can almost think he lives next door, or works in the cubicle next to us. But there is one thing that separates him from most of those around us—his conviction that the Lord is in charge and that only He can make things right.

Be like Habakkuk, get frustrated with sin but remember your hope. Never hinder yourself from feeling the frustration caused by a sinful world for it is only then that we truly long for our Savior God and His ultimate salvation—‘thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Remember to read Habakkuk as you go through the week.

A Major Reason Why Jesus Had To Rise

As we considered five reasons why Jesus had to rise from the dead let us not forget a major one that is to affect us—so that we can intimately walk with the resurrected Jesus each day of our lives. This is the desire Paul has in mind as he penned a life goal in Philippians 3:10:

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” 
My prayer is that each of us will walk through this day as if having one hand outstretched to remind us that our greatest need is to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus. I know that it is only then that we will experience the resurrection power of a risen Savior on a daily basis.

God All Knowing

The prediction of King Cyrus’ appearance in Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-7 is one of the most fascinating prophecies in the whole Bible. Here God through Isaiah not only warns His people of a coming judgment that will lead to their being removed from their homeland, but it also includes the prediction of their return with the very name of the ruler who will allow the nation to re-gather in their homeland. How wonderful is our God who makes such a prediction at least 150 years before the event actually occurs!

As you move through your day today please remember that our God is omniscient, ‘all knowing.’ Couple that with His promise that He causes ‘all things to work together for good to those who love God’ (Romans 8:28) and you have reason to make this a great day.

Eyes that See the Strategic Intent of His Actions

Are the words of Mordecai to Esther still echoing in your ears as they are in mine? “Who knows if you have attained royalty for such a time as this?”(Esther 4:14)  One of the key truths that is communicated to us through this statement is that we never know the significance of where we find ourselves in life. Every step along the journey is significant in the eyes of God for what He is seeking to do in our lives and possibly in the lives of others.
That is why the strategic outlook of Mordecai led him to consider the way in which God was working in the life of his cousin Esther (Esther 2:7) in placing her where she now lived. As we noted Sunday, we need to live strategically.
Yes, even in the difficult moments of our lives we are to have a strategic outlook knowing that even at those times God is working to bring about His good pleasure. Note the words of Paul in Romans 5:3-5.—“ We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”
Take a moment and focus your attention on the Lord through prayer. Ask God to give you eyes that see the strategic intent of His actions in your life, and then request the strength to allow His actions to run their course for His glory.

New Year Resolutions

How are your New Year resolutions doing? It has been found that within the first month of a New Year a person begins to waver on the New Year resolutions they’ve committed to. Therefore the challenge, as it is in most areas of our lives, is to not give up but to continue getting up after we waiver or fall, and to recommit to the goals that we’ve set.

That is the focus of our reading today in our One Month To Live devotional. Did you catch the Thomas Alva Edison quote that was given? “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that don’t work.”

We see in the life of the apostle Paul that he too had a wonderful forward focus that propelled him to effective ministry through times of blessings and challenges. As he noted in Philippians 3:13 -14 “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” As Paul put all that he experienced, both good and bad, before the Cross in order to press forward so that he might be further used by the Lord I encourage you to do the same today.

Note assignment number 2 at the end of today’s ‘One Month’ chapter—“What’s your greatest fear about trusting God completely with your life? What’s the basis for this fear? Journal about how you would face this fear if you only had one month to live.”
Take a moment and honestly complete this assignment. Then ask the Lord for the strength to live in total trust of Him so that you might risk failure in order to persevere in your commitments to Him.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

One of the greatest statements of personal commitment and surrender to the Lord is given by John the Baptist in John 3:30. I pray that as you approach the dawn of a new year that you will take a few moments to meditate on this verse and consider how it can effect your walk through 2009.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

May you have blessed start to your New Year!

The memory verse for December—“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” Colossians 3:17

God’s Great Love

I praise God that He did not have a ‘secret love’ towards us. So in love is God with us that when He chose to love us in the sinful and messed up state that we were in, He publicly took the steps necessary to deliver us, transform us, and to incredibly bless us for all eternity. No wonder Paul considering God’s great love for us encourages us about the blessing we have, and continue to receive from Him:

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” Romans 8:28-31
 
Please take a moment during this Christmas Season to thank the Lord & to do a dance of appreciation for His great and public love towards us that He displayed in a manger over 2,000 years ago. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”  Matthew 1:21

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

The memory verse for December—“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17