[APRIL 20] Poor Examples

Read: Matthew 23:1-13

"Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do."

--Matthew 23:3

A woman in Oregon was caught driving 103 miles per hour with her 10-year old grandson in the car. When she was stopped by the police, she told them that she was only trying to teach him never to drive that fast. I suppose she wanted to do as she said, not as she did.

The Pharises and teachers of the law seemed to have a similar problem. Jesus had a scathing assessment of them: They were spiritually bankrupt. He held these two groups directly responsible for this sad spiritual condition. As the successors of the law-giver Moses, they were responsible for expanding the law so the people would walk in God's ways and have a genuine and vibrant relationship with the Lord (Deut. 10:12-13). But their personal interpretation and application of the law became more important than God's law. They did not practice what they preached. What they did observe was done not to bring glory to God but to honor themselves. Jesus exposed who they were--image managers, posers, and hypocrites.

The test of the effectiveness of following Jesus is not just in what we say but in how we live. Are we telling others God's Word and doing what it says? Let's model by words and actions what it means to follow Him. --Marvin Williams

Christians, remember you bear His dear name,

Your lives are for others to view;

You are living examples--men praise you or blame,

And measure your Savior by you. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

A good example preaches a powerful sermon.

[APRIL 19] The Secret Chamber

Read: Isaiah 50:4-5

"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light."

--Matthew 10:27

People have some needs that are excruciatingly deep. Poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, "Never morning wore to evening, but some heart did break."

We find ourselves in conversation at times with heartbroken friends and may feel at an utter loss to know what to say. How can we "speak a word in season to him who is weary," as it says in Isaiah 50:4?

Telling people what human teachers have taught us may have some impact on them. But the most helpful or persuasive words are spoken by those who are taught by the Lord Himself.

That's why it's essential for us to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from Him. The more we receive from Him, the more we have to give to others. George MacDonald pictures this time with the Lord as having ''a chamber in God Himself." He continues: ''Out of [that] chamber . . . man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made."

It's through our thoughtful and prayerful Bible study, reading, and quiet meditation that God speaks to our hearts. He gives us "the tongue of the learned" (Isa. 50:4) so that we have something to share with those who are in the depths of despair. --David Roper

The comfort God has given us

He wants us all to share 

With others who, with broken hearts,

Are caught in deep despair. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Listen to God's heart, then speak from your heart to others.

[APRIL 14] Unseen Workers

Read: Romans 12:1-10

"We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function"

--Romans 12:4

As I was giving myself a manicure, I started feeling sorry for my right hand. It does the most work, but my left hand gets the most attention. My right hand applies nail polish smoothly to my left-hand nails, but my left hand, lacking skill and coordination, does not return the favor. The polish on my right hand is always smeared and messy. One hand does the better work, but the other hand gets all the attention and honor.

As I worked on my fingernails, my thoughts turned toward something much more important—the people in my church, many of whom are highly skilled at tasks that make others look good. These hardworking folks, however, seldom get noticed, because their work puts the attention on someone else. It seems unfair that those who do such good work get little appreciation.

Truly servant-minded believers, though, don’t see it that way. They give preference to others (Rom. 12:10) because they know that God sees what others do not—and that He will reward those whose work is unseen by others (Matt. 6:4,6,18; 1 Cor. 12:24).

Is someone else reaping the benefit of your hard work? Be encouraged. God rewards those who work “invisibly” to make Christ visible to the world. --Jackie Ackerman Link

The service that we do for God

May go unpraised by men;

But when we stand before the Lord,

He will reward us then. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.

[MARCH 18] Who are You?

Read: Matthew 4:18-25

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

--Matthew 4:19

If someone were to ask, "Who are you?" my guess is that you would tell a little thing about yourself and what you do--"I'm an electrician" or "I'm a nurse." But that's not really who your are--it's what you do. Which leads to the question, If what you do is who you are, who will you be when you stop doing what you're doing?!

Who you are is found in your relationship to Jesus. And this sense of identity will drive your behavior. Take Matthew, for example. As a tax collector during the reign of the Roman empire, his life was driven with greed. But everything changed the day Jesus showed up and invited Matthew to follow Him (Matt. 9:9). Suddenly Matthew had a whole new identity as a follower of Christ! And he wasn't the only one. we also read about the fishermen in Matthew 4:18-25, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their nets to follow Him.

Jesus is a compelling Person, and He is still looking for followers. He wants to make something of your life by giving you the indetity of a follower of Jesus. It doesn't mean giving up your career, but it does mean that you will do your work--and all of life--according to His will and ways.

So next time someone asks, "Who are you?" I hope you'll answer, "I'm a follower of Jesus"! --Joe Stowell

Lord, as I follow You by faith,

Help me each day to learn

That pleasing You in all I do

Must be my main concern. --Fitzhugh

REFLECT ON THIS:

If you are a follower of Jesus, that's all the identity you need.

[FEBRUARY 27] Strength in Weakness

Read: Matthew 20:20-28

"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant" 

--Matthew 20:26

No one wants to be weak, so we find ways to appear strong. Some of us use the force of our emotions to manipulate people. Others use the force of personality to control people, and some use intellect to intimidate. Although these create an illusion of strength, they are signs of weakness.

When we are truly strong, we have the courage to admit our licomitations and to acknowledge our dependence on God. As a result, true strength often looks a lot like weakness. When the apostle Paul prayed that an affliction would be taken from him, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul responded with these troubling words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).

Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some of His disciples were striving for positions of prominence. Jesus used their argument as an opportunity to teach them that in His kingdom things are different: greatness comes when we willingly assume positions of weakness (Matt. 20:26).

This is a hard truth. I prefer the illusion of strength to the reality of weakness. But God wants us to realize that true strength comes when we stop trying to control people and start serving them instead. --Julie Ackerman Link

The life that we live for God's glory,
Let's live it in biblical light:
God's strength is made perfect in weakness;
He alone controls power and might. --Branon

REFLECT ON THIS:
God’s greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.

[JANUARY 3] Widening your Perspective

Read: Matthew 28:16-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" 

--Matthew 28:19

A missionary and I were invited to lunch with David, a man in his late seventies who generously supported the missionary’s ministry. David was not able to visit the missionary’s country, but as he gave thanks for the food, he prayed with complete ease for the people, places, and situations there. Having prayed regularly for that ministry, he had no trouble mentioning specifics. David had a perspective on missions that extended beyond his own country of Singapore.

Our Lord Jesus commanded us to have a worldwide perspective on missions. When He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20), He was not asking us to buy an around-the-world ticket to do His bidding. We may not have the opportunity to travel much beyond our own birthplace, but we can be involved with what’s going on in the world without leaving our hometown.

But how? Is there an international student living near you? A family from another country who is trying to cope with life in a new country? Or just a lonely person whom you can cheer up? Sharing Jesus’ love with them is your way of crossing the oceans with the gospel. -- C.P. Hia

A Prayer: Lord, widen my world. 

I want to be a part of the work You are doing. 

Give me eyes to see as You see, hands to serve others, 

and a heart to share Your gospel. Amen.

REFLECT ON THIS:

If you look through the eyes of Jesus, you’ll see a needy world.