Is Believing Enough?Today, I am asking you this question. Although I don’t know the answer as fully as I wish, God has given me words to speak concerning it.
Whenever you say “I believe,” you are proclaiming that you have faith, trust, confidence, and conviction toward something or someone. “I believe” should cause you to act. If you really mean it, your passion will cause you to take the steps necessary to obedience and aid for that of which you believe. It’s easy to say “I believe,” but it’s hard sometimes to act out what you believe, especially when it comes to believing in Jesus. Let’s ask Hans this question in an “interview.” “I am going to ask you a question.” “Hit me with your question, man. Say, umm, what is it about?” “It is about Jesus…” “—oh yes, yes, yes. I know all about my man Jesus. I go to church every single Sunday.” “That’s great, Hans. But I’m still interested in your answer to my question. Are you ready?” “Any day.” “Is believing in Jesus enough in God’s eyes?” “What? Have you not read the Bible? You know, ‘…only son that whomever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). And then there’s that other verse, ‘if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved’” (Romans 10:9). "I have. And yes, I believe those verses to be very true. But what do you do about it?” “I told yah, I go to church every single Sunday!” “That’s it? We cannot leave out any scripture. What about the Great Commission? The verses that Jesus gave towards the end of his life, telling his believers to make disciples of all nations. How effective is your message?” “Well…” “—how do your actions differ from that of the world? Could somebody look at you for a day and tell that you’re a “Christian?” What kind of witness are you to the broken?” “I guess I’m a bad Christian.” “Nope. That’s not the case. You just need to hear the truth that God wants to speak.” “James says, ‘What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God with his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works’” (James 2:14-26 emphasis mine). “OH! I forgot about those verses.” “Hans (and whomever else), Jesus doesn’t just want to inhabit your heart; he wants to change your heart. He doesn’t just want to take a place in your life; he wants to be your life. After all, he is the one that gave it to you in the first place!” Now, I just let God’s conviction speak. You Are a Christmas TreeMost people take the time during the Christmas holiday to put up a Christmas tree. It looks great, but what does it mean?
In the old, old days, people thought of these evergreen plants as capable of keeping away bad spirits or circumstances from their homes. The Egyptians used these types of trees for the purpose of representing triumph over death, even though it was associated with a pagan god. The Vikings and Romans also used these trees, but they weren’t Christmas trees quite yet. Christmas trees like the one that may stand in your living room began its history in Germany. Committed Christians were the ones to complete this action in the 1500s. Additionally, many believe that a Protestant Reformation leader, Martin Luther, was the first to place light onto the tree to remind him of the night sky. Truth is, America began accepting Christmas trees at a late date; nonetheless, we have them. Now, the point of all of this is to make a statement that God has placed upon my heart: Because of Jesus, I believe that God desires us to be Christmas trees. Christmas trees shine in midst of darkness. They light-up the setting and bring about encouragement. In fact, they even change the mood. Jesus says this in Matthew 5: 14-16, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Because of Jesus, you should light-up any place in which you go. Be the light amongst darkness and follow Jesus! Understand that it carries onto others, too. There is another reason why I believe we are like Christmas trees. First of all, they are the biggest decoration that takes up the most space. If you are anything like my family, it is the first item to be unpacked. It sets the Christmas setting—like the centerpiece of all decorations. Set the setting before the setting sets you. If the Christmas tree doesn’t go up first, there may not be enough space for it. It may require trimming, a tight space, and an ineffective role. In the same way, don’t let the people around you change you for the negative. Take your place, and set your setting before those around you cause you to take an ineffective and ungodly position. Take your place before the world gives you a place. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). You are meant to be a Christmas tree and make a difference for Jesus! Stand out!
It’s the season for Christmas lists. You've likely formed your own, whether it is spoken, unspoken, or written. Because of Jesus, I believe that we are making “Weak Christmas Lists.” You are probably wondering, “Jesus doesn't buy me gifts…” Truth is, he gave us the greatest gift of all-time: the sacrifice on the cross for our sins. If we really believe in the power of Jesus, we have this promise: “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea; and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours’” (Mark 11:23-24). Now, that doesn't mean that we always get whatever we want, but it does mean anything is possible when we believe in Jesus. To help us understand our “Weak Christmas Lists,” let’s look at some more promises of God. First, the promise that he gave his disciples in Mark 6:7. “And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” So, what did the disciples do with that promise? On one occasion in Mark 9, they responded to it weakly. Basically, Jesus approached some arguing teachers of religious law with a large crowd. After he asked what all of the arguing was about, a man responded: “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed with an evil spirit that won’t let him talk…So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it” (Mark 9:17-18). Never Compromise a Promise! This Christmas season, I encourage you to ask yourself, “What do I really want?”. Maybe it is the salvation of a family member, the healing of a loved one, hope, life, grace, love, peace, or protection. We know it is surely possible with Jesus. Our Savior left us a promise like that of which he gave his disciples: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed” (Mark 16:17-18). How will you respond this Christmas season and always? On Your Way to the Promised LandBut Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?”
Then the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. ~Exodus 4:1-2 But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” ~Exodus 4:10,12 I know that is a lot of scripture to take in at one time, but I believe it is important in understanding this devotional. You see, as great of a person as Moses was, he didn't get anywhere without a greater strength. In fact, towards the end of his life, God kept him from entering the Promised Land because of his disobedience. The Israelites didn't make it to their Promised Land by means of their own strength; it was the strength of God. As Thanksgiving is still fresh within our minds, remember the strength that brought you through______. That’s right, you fill in the blank. Maybe it was a disease that God healed you from. Maybe it was an accomplishment that you could have never reached on your own. Better yet, maybe there’s something in your life right now that you must trust God with handling. Be encouraged, for we know that the same strength that brought you through then will help you now. The road isn't always smooth, but our God is stronger. Thank him for all he has done and trust him with your future. After all, you, like the Israelites, have a Promised Land awaiting you. Dreaming About Tomorrow Without Hampering TodayHave you ever gotten side-tracked? You know those moments when you need to be working on an assignment due tomorrow, but you are planning for a project due next week instead? I do. Why do we choose one over the other? It all depends on the priority and thought-process we have at the time. Dreaming about the future is a wonderful treasure that God has blessed us with, but we must be careful to avoid being hampered today.
You see, on a more spiritual note, God wants to use you today. Sure, the career you will have in a few years will have the same truth, but it is important that today isn’t down-played because of a future hope and plan. First of all, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Secondly, God desires us to live each and every day to our fullest potential for his glory. I am reminded of Matthew 8:21-22. Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me NOW. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Jesus isn’t saying that we just ignore our loved ones! The true meaning behind the words of this disciple is quite contemplated. No matter what the disciple really meant by “bury my father,” Jesus wanted this individual to commit to him NOW. Not even our families should take God's place in our hearts. As you walk through God’s platform for you today, remember his strong desire to use you. Dream big! Plan God-driven desires for your future. Pray for what lies ahead. However, you must not become so overwhelmed with tomorrow that you hamper your journey today. What Can I Do To Seek God Today?Jesus sought God. He is mentioned throughout the New Testament for his decisions of going to a quiet place and praying to God. In fact, Luke 6:12 says, “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.” It is important to understand, however, what Jesus did after this long time of seeking God in prayer. He chose the twelve disciples that would be with him throughout his journey. Even Jesus, the perfect and powerful Son of God, needed time to pray. After all, choosing twelve disciples isn’t easy.
Maybe you aren’t choosing disciples, but you do have some type of decision waiting for you. God’s word is clear with this truth: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus not only said this verse; he lived it. Since Jesus is our ultimate example, shouldn’t we do the same? I challenge you to ask yourself the question I recently have: What Can I Do To Seek God Today? It may be praying, reading the Bible, or taking the opportunities that God gives you to speak life into another. If you aren’t willing to seek God, then your decisions aren’t likely to end well. When we don’t seek God, we fall into temptation, act in regretful ways, and forget that we have a purpose on this earth that is greater than ourselves. You might not know the what, but you know who holds your future. Let me leave you with these two verses of hope as you strive to daily seek God: Azariah the prophet said under God’s spirit, “…Whenever you seek him [God], you will find him…” (2 Chronicles 15:2). Hundreds of years later, Jesus reassures God’s promise, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. KEEP ON SEEKING, AND YOU WILL FIND. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 emphasis mine). No Such Thing as Pick and ChooseI don’t think he was lost. His map was just fine, and confusion wasn’t clouding his mind. The problem was his obedience, for many decisions we make in life come down to this: All or Nothing. If you haven’t discovered the Bible character that I am speaking about, his name is Jonah. God tells Jonah these words: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh…” (Jonah 1:2). The man must not have thought Nineveh to be as “great” of a place as God did. I believe this because he went in the opposite direction! Fighting in a great sea storm, Jonah was facing the consequences of his disobedience. Because it was his fault that the dangerous storm in the sea was occurring, the people on the ship with Jonah threw him overboard! Then, as you’ve probably heard, a gigantic fish swallowed him. Jonah prayed to God inside the fish, and eventually he went to Nineveh. Think of all the trouble he could have avoided by obeying.
I was reminded of this Biblical account as I thought about the topic for this devotional. God spoke to me about this topic through a personal experience. At Wahama, we have a free after-school meal program that provides students with something to eat before their practices. I recently went into the cafeteria after school to get a bottle of water before basketball conditioning. The water was all that I wanted; however, the teachers make it look like you must take a meal too. So I did…only to throw it away. You see, following God is not going in your direction. It is going in His direction. When we follow God, we don’t get to pick and choose what part of it we will keep and what part we will throw away. The Bible talks about making your yes be yes and your no be no. We are either completely committed or not committed at all. I hope you don’t expect to tell your teachers or bosses that you will come to work on the days that you feel like it. Good luck trying to keep the starting position on the team when you only show up occasionally. Life doesn’t work that way, and neither does God. Being a follower of God is the BIGGEST commitment that you will EVER make. I am not saying that we will be perfect, but it is either All or Nothing—no exceptions! Accepting Nothing Less“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you” (Matthew 7:6). You have pearls. They represent your talents, gifts, abilities, personality, unique character, and experiences. Walking day by day, you must be careful to whom you give your pearls. The question, however, is who…what…when…where…why? God’s best for you is better than anything you've ever imagined. It isn't based on your abilities; rather, it is dependent on the power of God. People struggle every single day to recognize the best God has for them—whether it is a job that they thought they should have had, a relationship they believed would never end, or an opportunity that they saw with great potential. This brings me to the pigs. During the time of this bible story, pigs were considered unclean animals. I feel like God is wanting me to tell you that you are so special. Your pearls are valuable, and he doesn't want them to be thrown carelessly away to unholiness. God understands the impact it will have on you, and his leading and goal is for you to avoid anything but his holiness and life. Be joyous, for God’s best for you is a job that you will shine from, a relationship in which you will grow, and opportunities that will blow your mind! God’s best for you doesn't always seem better than your plans, but his best is good because he sees things differently than you do. When you see a trial, he sees an opportunity. When you doubt there’s purpose, he reminds you it’s still there. Even when you are in a place in your life where the progress cannot be seen, you must believe that it is happening. Life isn't easy, but it is a powerful journey when placed into the hands of God. When it doesn't go your way, know it’s going God’s way. Never allow your perspective to be complacent with anything less than God’s best for you. Discovering the Power of God through Prayer
Pray Earnestly I don’t know the best way to open something so serious to the life of a follower of God. The power of prayer is greatly believed in, yet I believe that we live in a world today where prayer is one of the most underestimated parts of life. Elijah, however, didn’t think lowly of something so great. Jesus’ brother James writes, “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17). I don't know about you, but I want to pray with such faith. As a first step, I looked up—more like typed—the word “earnest” into the dictionary. This is what I found: “serious in intention, purpose, or effort, sincerely zealous” (dictionary.com). James also tells us that, “Then, when he [Elijah] prayed again, the sky sent down rain…” (V. 18). Praying is Loving Jim George, a Christian author, says, “One of the greatest acts of love you can give them is to pray for them.” Another power of prayer is the love that it shows. Why does prayer, out of all things, show outstanding love? Because you are taking the time to call a meeting with God, the all-powerful creator, for another persons’ goodwill and benefit. If you are looking for ways to love family and friends in Godly ways, pray for them! Prayers of a Follower “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (V.16). Never think that your prayers are going nowhere. They aren't just leaving your mind and heart and escaping into the atmosphere. Praying is powerful, and God’s word specifically states that righteous people, the followers of Jesus, have that close and necessary relationship. Believe that what you say will happen. Max Lucado says, “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Accepting the Advice of Jethro
This week contains some of the most stressful and busy days that I’ve had in a long time. Perhaps you feel the same way. Or maybe this week has been easy so far, but each of us have had our share of busyness and being overwhelmed. The central part of this devotional is this statement: “You can only do so much, before you do too much.” I am by no means supporting laziness; rather, I am encouraging you to understand that Goldilocks played this game too. Too little is not enough, too much is more than enough, and just right is—well, just right. How can we prevent ourselves from doing too much? Is it possible to spend less time on something that’s done and spend those extra minutes on something else? Absolutely. Below is only one of many Biblical strategies to overcoming this situation: “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (Exodus 18:19 NLT). Beginning in the morning and lasting until evening, Moses sat and listened to one dispute after another. At the time, the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land. It was Moses’ father-in-law named Jethro that told Moses the quote at the beginning of this paragraph. It didn’t take him long to realize Moses was doing too much. In fact, his first question to Moses was this: “What are you really accomplishing here?” (V. 14). You see, Moses needed help from someone who was less burdened and had less to do. Following Jethro’s advice, Moses appointed leaders to settle disputes among different groups of people. This lowered the stress of Moses and equaled it out. That way, the work was being done without one man doing too much and wearing themselves out. |
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