June 29 – Necessary Prayers (1 Samuel 12:19-25)

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.”(1 Samuel 12:23)

IN WORD:
You have wondered if your prayers are effective. You have felt, at times, as though you were trying to persuade a reluctant God to intervene in a situation that He’d prefer to leave alone. Deep in your heart, it sometimes seems as though your prayers and your God are moving in opposite directions. You’ve let your feelings result in inactivity.
It is safe to assume that you’ve followed this pattern, at least occasionally, because virtually all Christians have. No genuine believer is convinced that he or she is adequate in prayer. We have a nagging feeling that we could and should pray more. Part of the reason that we don’t is that we’re not entirely convinced that our prayers are necessary.
The picture in Samuel is of a God who has made prayer an integral part of His activity in this world. We are not commanded to convince a reluctant God to do what He is loathe to do; we are commanded to be a catalyst for His intervention. Not only is it acceptable to make our appeals to Him, it is required. God gives us the impression that His activity in the affairs of men is somehow contingent on the prayers of intercessors. If we don’t pray, He doesn’t act. In His divine arrangement with this planet, our prayers are essential. It is His plan for us to ask; when we don’t, we violate His plan.

IN DEED:
Has the Holy Spirit prompted you to pray for someone? You must follow through on it. His prompting was not superfluous; He is efficient with His directions, and He would not have led you unless your prayers were an essential aspect of His intervention. We must continue in our prayer assignments until God’s work is done. When His Spirit assures us that our prayers are complete, we may move on to others — but not before. His plan may hinge on your pleadings. Plead however — and whenever — He leads.

“Pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.”
-William Booth-

June 28 – Wisdom in Waiting (Psalm 106:1-23)

“They soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel.”(Psalm 106:13)

IN WORD:
You’ve asked God for direction. It has not yet come. You feel as if you must act. Surely God must want you to go with your best instincts. If He did not, He surely would have answered by now. His silence can mean nothing other than to go ahead and do what you think is best, right?
Psalm 106 recounts the history of Israel’s rebellion. One aspect of their disobedience was following the urge to act when God had not yet given counsel. They forgot His goodness. Had they remembered, they would have waited; but human nature finds waiting to be difficult. When clear memories of God’s benefits are absent, we feel we must seek our own benefit. The people of Israel forgot that God was their defender, provider, protector, deliverer, and all-purpose miracle worker. So which direction did they pursue? “They gave in to their craving” (v. 14).
The impulse to act quickly always leads us to our own human devices. On what else can we base our decisions when we have not waited for God’s direction? We have no other recourse. We choose to do what we think is best, and we are left then with the limitations of our thinking. God rarely works in a rush. Forming Jesus within us — the renewal of our minds — takes time.

IN DEED:
There is virtually no way to discern God’s will without waiting quietly. Self-generated desires must be quelled. God must be asked. We must listen. The Word must take root in our hearts. The counsel of others in the body of Christ must be sought. The options must be weighed. In time, one course of action will stand clear. The voice of God will whisper in your ear: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
How much do you trust the wisdom of God? Enough to wait until after it’s “too late”? God won’t heed our deadlines, but He is never too late. His direction will come, His way will be clear, and His timing will be perfect.

“He never comes to those who do not wait.”
-Frederick William Faber-

June 27 – Wisdom in Community (Proverbs 15:22)

“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”(Proverbs 12:15)

IN WORD:
How do the wise know their decisions are sound? How do fools know theirs are not? Neither question can be answered by looking within. The human heart is not reliable in matters of wisdom. We hope our perspectives are based on reality, but there are always distortions, always perceptual filters through which we receive our information. The way that seems right to us may — or may not — be right.
The history of Israel is filled with 2 contrasting approaches to life. In Deuteronomy, God and Moses repeatedly urge the people to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. In Judges, everyone did what was right in his or her own eyes. Thereafter, Scripture clearly points out that godly kings did right in God’s eyes. Ungodly kings did right in their own eyes. But nearly all thought they were doing right.
Our period of history is one in which most people do right in their own eyes. Ethics are considered by most to be relative. People live their lives as ships with no anchor. Each has his own god. We are urged by popular spiritual leaders to look within for the answers, for deep in the human heart we will find our own true calling and follow our own course. Nothing could be more un-biblical. Fools aren’t aware of their foolishness. How can we know what is right? By feeling? By following momentary or self-derived desires? Is there any objective standard by which wisdom is measured?

IN DEED:
There is, of course. The Bible gives us solid wisdom on which to base our lives. But while it is absolute, its interpretation can vary widely. That’s where advice comes in. Never underestimate the body of Christ. He has crafted us to live in community. Wisdom usually comes not to godly individuals but to godly fellowships.
Are you seeking direction? Know your heart, but do not trust it entirely. Measure out by biblical wisdom and the counsel of those who follow it well.

“Seek the advice of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations.” -Thomas A Kempis-

June 26 – Spiritual Diversity (1 Corinthians 12:1-20)

“There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”(1 Corinthians 12:6)

IN WORD:
The gifts of the Spirit are a glorious treasure. They are evidence that God has grafted us into His plan and made us His co-workers. Think of that! Partners with the eternal God! No achievement or recognition in our labor can compete with that. There is no higher honor for the work of our hands.
Such an amazing reality only comes to life in those who have the mind of Christ — those who are spiritually minded and filled with the Spirit of God. It is all the more amazing, then, when human nature distorts this blessing and makes it a fleshly point of contention. But how often this happens! The gifts of the Spirit become our occasion to judge the work of grace in others. If God has given us the gift of mercy, we have contempt for those who demonstrate a lack of it. If God has given someone a burden for a specific social problem, how easy it is for that person to assume all others should have the same burden. How common it is for us to think of our own gifts as spiritual and those who lack them as un-spiritual. Our giftedness and convictions are a true measure of spiritual maturity only in our own minds — never in Scripture.

IN DEED:
Church unity is often disrupted by the assumption that all causes are to be equally defended by all believers. Or that all ministries are to be equally served by all members of the body of Christ. We forget that our God loves variety. We forget that He has not distributed His gifts with absolute equity. Does that seem unfair? No, He will judge in fairness. Everyone is accountable for the resources he or she has been entrusted with. No more, no less. The distribution is determined by the wisdom of God.
Spiritual maturity is not found in having all gifts or defending all causes. It is found in accepting the diversity of God’s people and working within it.

“Spiritual gifts are no proof of spirituality.”
-Samuel Chadwick-

June 25 – Too Many Identities (Romans 8:28-30)

“Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.”(Romans 8:29)

IN WORD:
Many young people find their identity in a pro athlete or team, while others idolize and emulate a rock star or movie star. Adults are more subtle, but we, too, will identify ourselves by our careers, our family roles, our hobbies, or trends set by our favorite celebrities. It is human nature to pick an appealing image — any image — and then try to live up to it. We enthusiastically become like the people or ideals on which we set our affections. When we want to, we conform easily. Our desired image becomes a part of us.
When we become Christians, we may have found that we continually struggle to become Christlike. Why? If our affections are set on Him as they once were on the trends and icons of our culture, wouldn’t a godly transformation be a natural process for us? Perhaps that is just the problem. Perhaps our affections are not entirely Christ-ward. We easily let our love grow stale, losing the excitement that newness and discovery naturally brought us at first. Other images — cultural trends and newfound interests — become the object of our infatuation, while Jesus subtly and imperceptibly passes from our adoration to our obligation.
When this happens, we find godliness more of a struggle. It is hard to let ourselves become conformed to the image of Jesus when we hold another image in higher esteem. Other passions pull us in other directions, often making conflicting — or at least superfluous — demands on our character. Godly character cannot thrive in such a context. Our spirits will not fit into two molds simultaneously.

IN DEED:
Is your growth toward godliness a difficult struggle? Examine your desires. How do you envision yourself? How would you like others to perceive you? What image do you aim for? If you find any image other than Jesus shaping your soul, abandon it. It will hinder your growth. Find your identity entirely in Him.

“We cannot help conforming ourselves to what we love.”
-St. Francis de Sales-

June 24 – Self-Control (2 Timothy 1:7)

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”(Proverbs 25:28)

IN WORD:
The contemporary church is plagued with problems of self-discipline. Sinful behaviors have infiltrated our congregations possibly at unprecedented levels. One reason self-control is such a problem for so many Christians is that it feels like a work of the flesh. We are told to live Spirit-filled lives, so we become passive. We have incorrectly assumed that any effort on our part is “works,” a product of the flesh and a symptom of legalism. We end up with a faith without works, and as we find out, that kind of faith is dead.
Self-control is perhaps the most confusing of all the fruit of the Spirit. How can it involve the self and the Spirit at the same time? If it’s self-control, how can it be Spirit-control? It can’t. But, contrary to popular teaching, the Bible never tells us to be controlled by the Spirit, at least not in the sense that we lose our personality and will. We are to be born of the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, inspired by the Spirit, and sealed by the Spirit. But we are not controlled by the Spirit. The Spirit enables us to have self-control.
A lack of self-control will cause us to neglect necessary disciplines like prayer, Bible study, contemplation, evangelism, and more. It will also cause us to indulge even godly desires in inappropriate ways. A lack of discipline distorts work, sexuality, entertainment, nutrition, and stewardship of time and money. If our lives were compared to an ancient city, self-indulgence would be the weakness in our walls. Erosion will eventually cause our protection to collapse and allow our enemies to raid.

IN DEED:
A life of godly discipline is useful to God. He can accomplish much with it, because it can steward his vast resources appropriately. The uncontrolled life squanders God’s treasures — spiritual and material — and invites attack. At all costs, let the Spirit empower you to learn self-control. It is the key to managing all other fruitfulness.

“If you would learn self-mastery, begin by yielding yourself to the One Great Master.” -Johann Friedrich Lobstein-

June 23 – Gentleness (Philippians 4:4-5)

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
(Philippians 4:5)

IN WORD:
David was gentle toward his rebellious son (2 Samuel 18:5). Jesus came into this world with a spirit of gentleness (Matthew 11:29; 21:5). Paul had a tender attitude toward the churches he had founded (2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:7). Throughout Scripture, we are instructed to put on gentleness as though it’s a required garment. Why? Because God has been gentle with us. It’s who He is, and we are to be like Him.
We may not envision God as being gentle. We read of His anger toward humanity before the ark was built; of His command for Israel to ruthlessly conquer the Canaanites; of His judgments on Israel in the prophets; and of His harsh condemnation of our sin when He laid our iniquity on a bloodied, beaten Jesus. But all of this points to His absolute, uncompromising, holy purity. His heart is thoroughly gentle. When our confession and humility allow for His gentleness, He always chooses it over His judgment.
Have you felt His gentle touch? When you received mercy rather than condemnation, it was there. Every day when He feeds you, clothes you, and surrounds you with air to breathe, you feel His tender provision. If there is anyone out there who loves you as you are, you have seen a reflection of His gentle nature. In Jesus, we know a gentle God.

IN DEED:
If the fruit of the Spirit are God’s display of His character through the church to a searching world, then gentleness is one of the most needed elements of that display. The world does not know of this gentle God — it portrays Him as either viciously judgmental or blandly irrelevant. It has not seen enough examples of righteous, patient, redemptive gentleness. Be one of those examples. Find a hurting person and demonstrate God’s gentle touch.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” -St. Francis de Sales-

June 22 – Faithfulness (Psalm 89:1-8)

“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”(Psalm 89:8)

IN WORD:
If you were to do a biblical word study on “faithfulness,” you would find something mildly surprising: The vast majority of biblical references to faithfulness are about God, not about us. God’s faithfulness is an established fact in Scripture; man’s is not. We are encouraged to be faithful, but we are always found wanting. God, however, is constant. His faithfulness reaches to the skies (see Psalm 36:5; 57:10; 108:4), and His love and faithfulness are semantically paired so often that they are clearly intertwined. His love is unchanging; there is nothing fickle about it — not even from generation to generation (Psalm 100:5). True faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2). It can do no other.
This is why faithfulness MUST be a fruit of the Spirit. It cannot be of the flesh. Humanity measures faithfulness in terms of months and years; God measures it in terms of eternity. We cannot maintain such commitment unless the power to do so is given from above. It simply is not within us to be covenant keepers for long. Nearly every biblical covenant originates in heaven and is maintained unilaterally by the covenant-keeping God. His faithfulness alone is everlasting.

IN DEED:
If you needed any sense of security about your salvation, there it is. God keeps you because He is faithful. He knows the fickleness of those He pursues, and He pursues us nonetheless. He knew how unstable we were before He committed to keep us.
But we cannot remain unstable, not if we’re filled with His Spirit. The flesh is weak, but we no longer live according to the flesh. Never use the excuse, “I’m only human.” You’re a human with the Spirit of the living God dwelling within. Faithfulness is possible for us when we are wholly dependent on Him. His faithfulness surrounds His throne. Enthrone Him in your heart, and it will surround you, too.

“The faithful person lives constantly with God.”
-Clement of Alexandria-

June 21 – Goodness (Psalm 23)

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6)

IN WORD:
For something to be worthwhile in our age, it must be amazing, outstanding, remarkable, or awesome. We are so overwhelmed with superlatives that we must keep coming up with more attention-grabbing adjectives with each new season of advertising. But God often advertises Himself in refreshing simplicity. He is good. Through and through, pure and simple, He is good. His attitude toward us is good, His will toward us is good, and His works on our behalf are good. We are unaccustomed to pure forms in our world — everything is tainted with corruption — but with God, no superlative is necessary. From any angle we look at Him, we see goodness.
There’s a remarkable transformation for us in His goodness. God blesses so that His people will become “blessers.” He gives so that we will give. He loves so that we will love. He forgives so that we will forgive. His demeanor toward us is to be reflected in our demeanor toward others. It isn’t just a responsibility to fulfill; it’s a natural reaction. When we’ve been treated so well, it’s natural to treat others well. His goodness takes root in us; we become good, like Him.

IN DEED:
Most of us are busy trying to impress others with a remarkable personality, amazing skills, or our outstanding achievements. God’s Spirit in us, however, will not make us flashy. He will make us good.
If others do not see in us a simple, uncorrupted goodness, they do not see the Spirit of God. We forget that behind every miracle, behind every teaching, behind every revelation and prophecy, there is the good will of God. Goodness underlies everything He does. He is a beneficent Creator, and a beneficent Creator births beneficent children. Do you bear His goodness? Demonstrate it to someone today. Show your world what God is like.

“Goodness is something so simple: always live for others, never to seek one’s own advantage.” -Dag Hammarskjold-

June 20 – Kindness (Colossians 3:12)

“A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.”(Proverbs 11:17)

IN WORD:
Kindness is defined as an attitude or action that benefits others. It is directed toward others, enjoyed by others, and edifying for others. Cruelty, too, is defined as something directed toward others. But this proverb doesn’t focus on the effect of kindness (or lack thereof) on others. It skips the basic definitions and goes straight to the side effects. It focuses on the results on oneself.
Just as patience ironically promotes those who are most reluctant to promote themselves, so kindness builds up those who are most interested in building up others. Cruel people try to give themselves a boost by harming others, but the strategy backfires. Harming others will eventually cause trouble for the cruel person. Likewise, kindness will eventually be returned to the kind. People who help others also help themselves, and so does God.
But we must be careful how we define kindness. True kindness will prompt a person to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). No one would question Jesus’ kindness, but it could be a very confrontational kindness toward those who distorted truth and righteousness. A wise person will accept that: “Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head,” wrote David (Psalm 141:5). Kindness is an intentional effort to pursue what is good for another person.

IN DEED:
Have people been unkind to you? There’s a chance that the reason lies within yourself — not that you are unworthy of the kindness of others, but perhaps you have not made an effort to be kind. A person reaps what he sows, and if one has sown kindness, he will reap it as well.
Perhaps others take your kindness for granted. God will not. An unbiblical saying asserts that God helps those who help themselves. Biblical truth says that God helps those who help others. Do you qualify? Then they, and you, will benefit.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -Mother Teresa-