DAY 26
FINDING JOY THAT
SURPASSES YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
Colossians
1:11-12
I remember on
the day after my graduation in high school. During that time, I was so busy
looking for a summer job to help me support my college education. So I applied at
any company where I will be qualified.
I also applied
in a MANPOWER agency. They interviewed
me and gave me a recommendation letter. Fortunately, when I submitted it to a
fast-food chain, I was hired for a job. I did not inform my parents, sisters and
friends, but they noticed that there was something different with me. I
couldn’t keep it to myself but to share the joy of having a job at the age of
17 that time I was turning 18.
When you have the
abundance of life in Jesus Christ, it’s going to show up. You can’t keep it to
yourself! You won’t have to look for people to share Christ with; they will be
looking at you if you truly have the joy of the Lord. And you’ll have the
privilege of telling them that the difference is the Lord Jesus Christ!
In every
situation in life—the good and the bad—Jesus makes all the difference. It’s the
unspoken joy we have in Him that makes life really worth living. It’s in
following Him that we find meaning and purpose. And when we do, the lives we
live will be remarkably different because we have a hope beyond compare!
MAKE JESUS
CHRIST THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU’LL EXPERIENCE REAL JOY THAT GOES BEYOND
YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Halbert
Tillor
DAY 27
WARNING AGAINST
STORING FOR YOURSELF
AND NOT RICH TOWARDS
GOD
(From the e-book: A Guide to New Covenant Giving by Jim McClarty)
Luke
12:16-21
First we need
to understand that having money, wealth or substance is no sin, in and of
itself. Money is an inanimate object. It cannot do righteous works and it
cannot sin. It has no soul or capacity to reason. The relative good or evil
attached to money is determined by the heart of the person who owns it.
For some, money is a useful tool, used for the benefit of
many and the advancement of the Gospel. For others, money is a cruel taskmaster
and the cause of their spiritual downfall.
Paul picked up on that concept and wrote to Timothy that men
of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, supposed that gain was godliness.
They fooled themselves into believing that financial superiority was tantamount
to spiritual superiority. But, they were wrong. And, Paul instructed Timothy to
withdraw from such folk (1 Tim. 6:5).
This is more
than just clever wordplay. Monetary, worldly gain is not godliness. But, being
content with what God has given you is great gain. You gain peace of mind. You
gain faith and trust. And you gain the approval of your Father in Heaven. The
English translation “the root of all evil” in this passage is better rendered
“the root of all kinds of evil.” Paul was not saying that every evil act or
thought was inspired by money, but that money was the source of a great many
types of evil deeds. Because of money, many had failed to comprehend the true
faith and ended up sorrowful. Money can act as a temptation and a trap. And,
the love of money leads to all kinds of mischief and trouble.
Trust that God
has your best interests at heart. He is too holy not to do that which brings
Him the greatest glory and He loves you too much not to do that which is for
your greatest good. He knows what you need before you ask. Nevertheless, Jesus
taught us to ask. That way, we recognize that God is the provider and sustainer
of all that we have and are. And, if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness,
the One who owns everything is committed to providing for our needs. It really
is that simple.
Meditated
by: Raul Pabilando
DAY 28
THE LAW OF
RESPONSIBILITY
(Taken from the book: BOUNDARIES by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John
Townsend)
Galatians 5:13-14, John 15:12
Many times when
people hear a talk on boundaries and taking responsibility for their own lives,
they say, “That’s so self-centered. We should love one another and deny
ourselves.” Or they feel “guilty” when they do someone a favor. These are
unbiblical views of responsibility.
The Law of
Responsibility includes loving others. The commandment to love is the entire
law for Christians (Gal. 5:13-14). Jesus calls it “my” commandment, “Love each
other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Anytime you are not loving others, you
are not taking full responsibility for yourself; you have disowned your heart.
Problems arise
when boundaries of responsibility are confused. We are to love one another, not
be one another. I can’t feel your
feelings for you. I can’t think for you. I can’t behave for you. I can’t work
through the disappointment that limits bring for you. In short, I can’t grow
for you; only you can. Likewise, you can’t grow for me. The biblical mandate
for our own personal growth is “Continue to work out your salvation with fear
and trembling, for it is God who works out in you to will and act according to
his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13). You are responsible for yourself. I am
responsible for myself.
An additional
theme in the Bible says that we are to treat others the way we would want to be
treated. If we were down and out, helpless and without hope, we would certainly
want help and provision. This is a very important side of being responsible
“to.”
Another aspect
of being responsible “to” is not only in the giving but in the setting of
limits on another’s destructive and irresponsible behavior. It is not good to
rescue someone from the consequences of sin. You have reinforced the pattern
(Pro. 19:19). It is the same principle spoken of in child rearing; it is
hurtful to not have limits with others. It leads them to destruction (Pro.
23:13).
A strong strand
throughout the Bible stresses that you are to give to needs and put limits on
sin. Boundaries help you do just that….
Raqz Culango
DAY 29
STAND UP FOR JESUS!
1
Corinthians 2:14
What do you
think is the most quoted verse of Scripture in our culture? You might be tempted to say John 3:16, but I
don’t think that is the one. I believe the most popular verse is Matthew 7:1,
which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” This verse is frequently quoted by
nonbelievers when people like you and I attempt to tell them where they are
mistaken about spiritual things. People say things like, “Who are you to judge
me? Didn’t Jesus say not to judge?”
You see, as
followers of Jesus we face a natural resistance when we present the Gospel’s
perspective. And in this verse, Paul explains why this happens. He tells us
that spiritual things are foreign to the person who doesn’t have a relationship
with Christ. They lack discernment in this area. So we shouldn’t be surprised or hurt when we
are reprimanded by unbelievers when we dare to show them where they are wrong.
We still must dare to share the good news of the Gospel!
Don’t let a
reprimand cause you to lose your courage, rather stand up for Christ. When you come across cultural, ethical, and
moral debates, speak with conviction and with compassion on behalf of Christ
and his Word!
DON’T LOSE YOUR
COURAGE, RATHER STAND UP FOR CHRIST.
Halbert Tillor
