And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Mark 8:36-37 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mrk.8.36-37.NLT
Is anything worth more than your soul?
Have we been taught the right answers to answer with our words when we are in Christian circles – but show with our actions throughout the day amongst the world what we really value?
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.23.11-12.NLT
I serve each week in a variety of ways. Serving is very important, because it is the activity of the body of Christ manifest in this world through me and you. It took Christ coming to earth and walking it out as a visible example to others for the way, the truth, and the life to become visible to blind eyes. In the same way, our lives are to be signs shining brightly, pointing to Him by loving and serving others.
But the act of serving isn’t the part that determines whether or not I’m participating in His greatness. You see, if I’m doing works to earn favor or reward, then I’m little more than a hired hand. And when the perceived cost outweighs the benefit, I’m going to run away from the trials and the struggle to try to find something else that has a better return for my time and effort. You see, in that perspective, it is still all about me and what I’m going to get. And this perspective is dangerous because we are laying claim to our works and expecting a payment in return. This is pride.
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Luke 16:10 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.16.10.ESV
It’s the little stuff. It’s always the little stuff.
http://bible.com/116/1pe.2.19-20.nlt
For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
About a year ago, I prayed that the Lord would give me more patience and that we would learn how to better manage His blessings wisely. Yes, I realize that those of you who are spiritually mature are probably laughing right now – and I realize that those selling prosperity gospel would tell me to not give up because my breakthrough is just up ahead.
Our life seems to be a revolving door of things breaking, of unexpected expenses, and of circumstances that push us to our limits. But we are also giving more than we’ve ever been able to give, serving more than we’ve ever been able to serve, paying off debts, and learning to praise the Lord when something breaks because He has something better in mind.
How do I make the right choice?
Our day is filled with decisions, one after the other. Opportunities to choose, to make decisions, is as constant as the breaths we take to remain alive. And some decisions we make can have life altering consequences and either lead to life or to death. This is true of both physical life and spiritual life.
So the freedom to choose comes with a risk, because of the resulting consequences, and our decisions are important. How then do we make the right decision?
1) Pray for wisdom and guidance
2) Listen to instruction and guidance
3) Choose to follow and obey
http://bible.com/116/mat.6.21.nlt
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Observation
Our minds and our emotions can work to fool us about the state of our heart.
Our minds can tell us, I’m attending church each week and hearing the Word of God, I’m in fellowship weekly in a Bible Study group, I’m reading the scriptures daily in my morning devotionals, and I’m thinking about the lessons being taught and appreciating them. But if we are not applying these lessons in our lives, if we do not see Christ alive in our lives, surrendering to Him and serving others – are we just practicing Gnosticism and doing mental gymnastics to avoid truly accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and authority over our lives?
And having an emotional response to the gospel can have a similar misleading impression of the true state of our hearts. If we continue in the same sin and open rebellion over and over, only finding ourselves convicted and emotional when confessing our sins to the Lord, seeking forgiveness but not seeking His will in our lives – are we simply remorseful but not repentant and obedient to God?
http://bible.com/116/mat.6.7-8.nlt
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
http://bible.com/116/1jn.1.8-10.nlt
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
Observation
Why am I praying? Am I praying because I think that I know what I need and I’m telling God what I need?
Really?
Really?
Do I even hear what I am saying if that is my perspective?
http://bible.com/116/mat.5.14-16.nlt
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.
Life Application Devotional
Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth-don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world.
Observation
We are on vacation this week with family. We are talking a break from our normal work and circles of people. We get to play games with our daughter, all kinds of new games. But she’s 4 and a half now, so no more peek-a-boo. It’s all new games as she grows and learns new things each year, the vacations change little by little. And it’s very different from the precise schedule of our busy week of life at home.
http://bible.com/116/psa.33.18.nlt
But the Lord watches over those who fear Him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
Observation
He watches over me. Just think about that for a moment. Hear it like a child.
The Lord watches over me.
Let’s step outside of the familiar religious attitude of listening with our minds, and let’s hear this message with our young, new hearts.
The Lord watches over me.
Yes, everything I do. Even every word I say. Even every thought that enters my mind. The Lord watches over me.
Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/hab.2.18.nlt
What good is an idol carved by man,
or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk!
Life Application Devotional
Idolatry may seem like a sin that modern people need not fear. But idolatry is not just bowing down to idols; it is trusting in what one has made, and therefore, in one’s own power as creator and sustainer. If we say we worship God but put our trust in bank accounts, homes, businesses, and organizations, then we are idolaters. Do you trust God more than you trust what your hands have made?
Observation
Where do we put our trust? What do we desire?
Harold J. Ballinger 