APRIL DEVOS
March 28, 2008
Resolving the Ownership Issue
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 28 2008
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established
it upon the waters." - Psalm 24:1-2
As Christian workplace believers, God calls us to view Him as the owner of everything. We are to be stewards of all that He
entrusts to us. This is one of the hardest of all commandments to follow for the Christian workplace believer because, if we
work hard at business, we receive all the benefits of that work. It appears as though all that we have achieved was through
our hand. Yet God says that it is by His hand that we are able to make wealth (see Deut. 8). He is the source of that ability. As
soon as we become owners and not managers, we fall into trouble with God.
Joseph understood that he was a steward of all the resources of Egypt. God promoted him to affect an entire region of the
world. Joseph had more power, prestige, and wealth than any 30-year-old who ever lived before him. The temptation for him
in this newfound role in life must have been great. Many a man has not been able to handle material success. Many of God's
choicest servants began well in their calling and service to God only to fail at the end. Consider Hezekiah, the great king
who achieved many great things but failed to acknowledge God's blessing at the end of his reign. His reign was cut short
due to pride. Gideon's fate was similar. Success can lead to pride if we are not careful.
"Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to
survive is prosperity" [Oswald Chambers].
Ask the Lord today if you are living as a steward or an owner. Put whatever skills and resources you possess on His altar.
Then you can expect God to do great things through you.
March 27, 2008
Treasures in Darkness
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 27 2008
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of
Israel, who summons you by name." - Isaiah 45:3
"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to
death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this
area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed
those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture.
What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in
secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from
accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am
the Lord...who summons you by name."
You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will
never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to
meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head
is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every
opportunity to demonstrate this to us.
Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this
darkness. Let Him summon you by name.
March 26, 2008
Living a Life of Conviction
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 26 2008
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but
also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a
Everyone lives a life of conviction. Whatever we give our greatest time, our greatest energies, and our greatest resources
to is a good indication of where our convictions lie. Some live a life of conviction about sports. Some live a life of conviction
around pleasure. Still others live a life of conviction about very little that matters at all.
Whenever God chooses to do a deep work in a life, a strong conviction is born of the Holy Spirit. Conversions in the early
Church resulted in changed lives that held to a deep, life-transforming conviction regarding what they believed and how
they lived out that belief. Paul explains that the gospel they received came not just in words, but also in power, with the Holy
Spirit and with deep conviction.
In order to impact the workplace for Jesus Christ, each of us must be reflecting a faith that is demonstrated through deeply
held convictions. Are you living a life of deep conviction that spurs you on to reflect the power of Christ in your life and the
lives of others? Paul was willing to suffer great persecution for his faith in a living God. God calls each of us to a life that is
supernatural, not simply a good, moral life. The early Church understood the role the Holy Spirit played in demonstrating this
power of the gospel. It was this deep work that resulted in living the gospel with great conviction. If you are not living the
gospel with great conviction, ask the Holy Spirit to so fill your life today that the power of His Spirit is truly reflected in your
life so that you may impact others in your workplace.
March 25, 2008
Making Adjustments
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 25 2008
..."Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." - John 21:6
A former client of mine was the marketing director of a large food brokerage company and told me a story about one of their
client grocery stores located in the upper Midwest. It seems that the store could not understand why at a certain time every
winter sales plummeted. They studied their product line and interviewed customers. They did everything possible to
uncover the mystery. Finally, someone made a remarkable discovery that changed everything.
It seemed that whenever it was really cold outside, the manager raised the temperature in the store. When customers came
into the store it was too warm for them, so they removed their coats and placed them in their shopping carts. This meant less
room for food and resulted in reduced sales overall. They lowered the temperature of the store, and as a result, the sales
climbed back to the levels they were accustomed to. Their adjustment resulted in restoring sales levels.
Jesus stood on the shoreline and watched Peter and a few of the disciples fish. Jesus yelled from the shoreline asking if
they had caught anything. They had not. He then suggested they cast their line on the other side of the boat. Without
knowing the person who was addressing them, they took His advice. They began catching so many fish they could not bring
them in.
Adjusting our lives to God is the first thing that has to happen in order to begin experiencing Him in our daily lives. For
some, it is simply following the advice of those above us. For others, it may require a major change in our job situation. Still,
for others it could mean making changes in relationships. Whatever the case, you can be sure that until we adjust our lives
to God we will not receive His full blessing. Ask Him today where you need to adjust to Him.
March 20, 2008
The Anguish of Faith
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 20 2008
"Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit." - Psalm 143:7b
Of all the biblical characters, David gives us a glimpse of a man who walked with God with great emotion in victory and in
defeat. David never lost a battle throughout his many years of serving as king of Israel. In many of the Psalms, David often
lamented about the difficult places where God had placed him. He talked of his enemies and the need for God to deliver him.
He talked of God's everlasting love for him. How do you suppose David came to this understanding after years of being
sought after by King Saul who wanted to take his life? His years of turmoil within his family gave him many reasons to lose all
hope in a loving God.
David often began his Psalms in a place of discouragement and loss of hope. But he never ended one Psalm in defeat. He
always came to a place of victory in God by the end of the Psalm. David always placed his life in God's hands, knowing He
would care for him.
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You
I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God;
may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:8-10).
It is okay to feel discouragement. It is part of the process of grieving and working through those times of pain. But God
wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did.
Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you.
March 19, 2008
The Fallacy of Full-Time Christian Work
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 19 2008
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an
inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23-24
"I didn't know you were in full-time Christian work," said my close friend as we were driving. "I didn't realize that," she went
on. I responded, "Every person who has followed the will of God in their life is in full-time Christian work." God calls some to
the mission field, others to be accountants, and others to be advertising executives, and still others to be construction
workers. God never made a distinction between sacred and secular. In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the root word
having the same meaning of "work" and "worship." God sees our work as worship.
We have incorrectly elevated the role of the Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving
in a more secular environment. Yet the call to the secular workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His
people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from
society.
I learned this lesson personally when I sought to go into "full-time" service as a pastor in my late twenties, only to have God
thrust me back into the business world unwillingly. This turned out to be the best thing He could have done for me, because
it was never His will for me to be a pastor. He knew I was more suited for the workplace.
We are all in missions. Some are called to foreign lands. Some are called to the jungles of the workplace. Wherever you are
called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him
through you today and see your vocation as worship to His glory.
March 18, 2008
Discerning the Work of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 18 2008
"Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and
the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me." - Nehemiah 6:14
Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Nehemiah held a position in the Persian Empire
that would be comparable to Chief of Staff in our government. Nehemiah wept over the destruction of the city wall and
repented for the sins of his generation and the generations before him that had led to the fall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah
responded to the news by seeking approval from his superior to take time off to rebuild the wall. Tobiah and Sanballat met
Nehemiah's action with resistance, as did Noadiah the prophetess and other prophets. These were the religious and political
leaders of his day. They became distractions to his work and opposed him.
Whenever God does a new work, it is often met with resistance by those in the established religious community, and
sometimes among those from whom we would expect support. Jesus met the same resistance when He began His public
ministry. This same phenomenon happens today. When God begins a new work that cannot be easily explained based upon
prior experiences, many make the mistake of assuming it not to be of God. The very people who should embrace and
encourage the work become the source of skepticism and opposition. God tells us that His ways are not our ways. He does
things in ways beyond our limited understanding.
Before you are tempted to criticize or oppose something that looks different from your past experience, ask God for wisdom
and discernment. Examine why you might be tempted to oppose it. The Lord cannot be put in a box. He delights in doing
things in ways that may not fit our former paradigms.
March 17, 2008
A Refiner's Fire
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, March 17 2008
"For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap." - Malachi 3:2b
The Lord has a specific manner of preparing His people for useful service. God desires to turn His children from rough, hard-
edged stones into gems of gold and silver.
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will
have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the
Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years" (Malachi 3:3-4).
The refiner's fire can only accomplish its purposes when the heat is turned up to extraordinary temperatures. It breaks down
the metal in order for it to become moldable and shapeable. Only when the temperatures reach this level can the work be
fully accomplished. So it is in our lives.
Until the Lord completes His refining process, the offerings we make are not made in righteousness and cannot be
acceptable. Thank God that Jesus is our righteousness and that there is no righteousness apart from Him. Still, the Lord
continues to purge all that is not of His righteousness out of our lives. This comes through trials that bring each of us to the
end of ourselves in order that He may only reflect that which is Himself.
When God takes you through the refiner's fire, be encouraged because it is His overriding commitment to turn you from a
rough, hard-edged stone to a precious metal. He will do this through certain events in your workplace, your relationships,
and other circumstances in your life. Our job is to avoid trying to blow out the fire.
March 16, 2008
Death and Birth of a Vision
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, March 16 2008
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it
produces many seeds. - John 12:24 Almost every significant thing God births He allows to die before the vision is fulfilled in
His own way. ? Abraham had a vision of being the father of a great nation (birth). Sarah was barren and became too old to
have children (death). God gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. He became the father of a great nation
(fulfillment). ? Joseph had a vision that he would be a great leader and that many would bow down to him (birth). Joseph's
brothers sold him to some merchants and he became a slave. Later he was falsely condemned to spend his years in prison
(death). God allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker and later the king, whereupon, he was made a
ruler in the land (fulfillment). ? Moses had a vision of leading his people out of the bondage of Egypt (birth). Pharaoh as well
as his own people drove Moses out of Egypt after Moses' first attempt to relieve their bondage (death). God gave Moses
signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh to free the people and bring them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land
(fulfillment). ? The disciples had a vision of establishing the Kingdom of God with Jesus (birth). The very ones He came to
save killed Jesus, and the disciples saw Him buried in a tomb (death). God raised Jesus from the dead, and the disciples
performed great miracles until the gospel had spread through all the world (fulfillment). ? A grain of wheat has a "vision" of
reproducing itself and many more grains of wheat (birth). The grain dies in the ground (death). A harvest springs up out of
the very process of "death" in the ground (fulfillment). Has God given you a vision that is yet unfulfilled? If that vision is
born of God, He will raise it up in His own way. Do not try to raise the vision in your own strength. Like Moses, who tried to
fulfill the vision of freeing the Hebrews by killing the Egyptian, it will only fail. But wait on your heavenly Father to fulfill the
vision. Then you will know that it was His vision when He fulfills it in the way only He can do.
March 15, 2008
Following Only the Father's Commands
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 15 2008
"Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His
Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'" - John 5:19
Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going
to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time
were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or
stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life
appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.
How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly
Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in.
Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do
it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this
activity?"
"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I
take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" These
are the daily challenges for the world we now live in. We are an activity-based society that often encourages more and more
activity, often in the name of Christian virtue.
Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not
always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone. Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to
spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to
cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more
fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
March 14, 2008
The First Requirement of Ministry
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 14 2008
"The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord." - Joel 1:9b
The first requirement for being used by God in the life of others is to mourn on their behalf. We must identify with their pain
and suffering. Each of us must be broken for others first.
In order to be fully used by God in the workplace, we need to understand what breaks God's heart. When we understand
what breaks God's heart, we are able to mourn on behalf of a grieving person, or a nation we are called to serve. What
breaks God's heart? When we begin to answer this question, we begin the first step to becoming instruments of change for
those things that are important to God. Perhaps it is an overemphasis in our own talent and abilities, or lack of complete
trust in Jesus. Perhaps it is the lack of respect for human life that leads to the killing of innocent babies. Perhaps it is the
deceit and pride that often rule the workplace of commerce. Or perhaps it is the strife and divisions among His own Body
that grieve Him most. When we begin to mourn over our own sins in these areas, God begins to use us as instruments of
righteousness to affect these things. It was only when God let me see my own sins in the workplace and how they broke His
heart that I began to be an instrument for His purposes.
Today, ask God to show you what things in your world are breaking His heart. Then see how He might want you to be the
priest to affect for Him. The first step is identification with what breaks God's heart.
March 13, 2008
Obeying the Spirit of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 13 2008
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road - the desert road - that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.'" -
Acts 8:26
Philip was conducting what we might today call a revival meeting. God was blessing the meeting, and many were being
healed and delivered from demonic influence. Here is the scene:
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous
signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and
cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:5-8).
And yet, in the midst of this great event, the Holy Spirit spoke to Philip and told him to remove himself and go to a completely
different area to speak to one individual. Philip was so sensitive to the directive of the Holy Spirit that he left what would be
deemed a successful event to go speak to another - an Ethiopian eunuch. The result of his obedience was that Philip led the
eunuch to faith in Christ and baptized him. The Lord then took Philip away supernaturally to another region many miles away.
God's ways of determining where we invest our time and energy often have little to do with results. The danger for each of
us is to determine that we are in the center of God's will simply by the success or failure of the events we are involved in.
Our plumb line for determining success can be only one thing: obedience. Philip responded in obedience to the direction of
the Holy Spirit.
Are you listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Has God prompted you to speak, go, or come alongside another? Ask God
today to help you hear the Holy Spirit's voice so that you might be used mightily in your workplace.
March 12, 2008
Understanding the Source of Anger
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 12 2008
"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." - Proverbs 29:11
The workplace can be a pressure-packed world. The demands that are often put on us can bring out things that we never
knew were there. Sometimes we begin to think that the source of that pressure is to blame for our response to the pressure.
It could be an event, a spouse, a boss, a client, a child, or even a driver who cuts us off in traffic.
I recall responding to a close friend one time, "If you had not done that, I would never have responded that way." Later I
learned that this response had little truth to it. We all choose to get angry. No one else is to blame for our anger.
"The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the
way I am" [Dr. Sam Peeples].
This simple quote has had a profound impact on how I view my anger now. Anger only reveals what is inside of me. I can't
blame anyone but me for my response to a situation. I have learned that anger is only the symptom of something else that is
going on inside of me. This quote now resides on my refrigerator door as a daily reminder of the truth about my response to
life's situations.
It has been said that anger is like the warning panel on the dash of your car. It is the light that tells us something is going on
under the hood and we need to find out what is the source of the problem. I discovered that the source of anger is often
unmet expectations or personal rights. We believe we are entitled to a particular outcome to a situation. When this doesn't
happen, it triggers something in us. At the core of this is fear, often a fear of failure or rejection, fear of what others think,
fear of the unknown.
If you struggle with anger, ask God to reveal the source of that anger. Ask Him to heal you of any fears that may be the root
of your anger. Ask God to help you take responsibility for your response to difficult situations.
March 11, 2008
Jesus Said; "THERE IS NOTHING THAT ENTERS A MAN
FROM THE OUTSIDE WHICH CAN DEFILE HIM; BUT THE
THINGS WHICH COME OUT OF HIM, THOSE ARE THE
THINGS THAT DEFILE HIM."
( MARK 7:15 *NKJV )
As Christians we must be careful of the words we speak,
and keep them soft and sweet, because sometimes we can
defile ourselves with our words. For if we are not careful:
OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEED BLESSING AND
CURSING. MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT
TO BE SO. ( JAMES 3:10 ) Therefore: LET YOUR SPEECH
ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT,
THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU OUGHT TO ANSWER
EACH OTHER. ( COLOSSIANS 4:6 )
So Beloved, speak only words of kindness, and: SPEAK
EVIL TO NO ONE, TO BE PEACEABLE, GENTLE,
SHOWING ALL HUMILITY TO ALL MEN. ( TITUS 3:2 )
FINALLY, ALL OF YOU BE OF ONE MIND, HAVING
COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER; LOVE AS
BROTHERS, BE TENDERHEARTED, BE COURTEOUS;
NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL OR REVILING FOR
REVILING, BUT ON THE CONTRARY BLESSING,
KNOWING THAT YOU WERE CALLED TO THIS, THAT
YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING. Amen.
( 1 PETER 3:8-9 )
March 10, 2008
GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO
LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
( JOHN 15:13 *NKJV )
Dear Scott,
As you know a good friend is worth more than gold, for they
will stick by you through good times or bad. For, A MAN
WHO HAS FRIENDS MUST HIMSELF BE FRIENDLY, BUT
THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A
BROTHER. ( PROVERBS 18:24 )
Jesus Christ is such a friend, for He has said, "YOU ARE
MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU.
NO LONGER DO I CALL YOU SERVANTS, FOR A SERVANT
DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HIS MASTER IS DOING; BUT I
HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR ALL THINGS THAT I
HEARD FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO
YOU." ( JOHN 15:15-16 )
Therefore It seems very appropriate, at this time, to share
this poem with you, about our dearest friend, Jesus Christ.
The Dearest Friend!
I have a Friend in Jesus,
He's ever walking near
To share my every burden
And take away my fear.
It's in His precious name I pray
To our God above;
It's through His sacred teachings that
I learned the way to love.
God did not put me on this earth
To walk life's path alone;
He sent His Son to be my Guide,
The dearest Friend I've known.
No other One could be so true,
He bore the cross for me;
Because He died for my sins
I must ever faithful be.
If you are lonely on life's way
And feel that no one cares,
You have a Friend in Jesus
If you will kneel in prayer.
Poet, Kay Hoffman
March 9, 2008
Confidence in Numbers
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, March 09 2008
"David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, 'I have sinned greatly in
what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg You, take away the guilt of Your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'" - 2 Samuel
24:10
It just seems to be human nature. As we grow in wealth and ability, our confidence moves from complete trust in the Lord to
trust in our resources. King David decided one day that he needed to know how many fighting men he had in his army. This
was a grievous sin in the nation of Israel. God always made it clear to the nation that He, not their army, was their source. It
was against the law of God to number the troops. David's general, Joab, knew the serious nature of such an action.
But Joab replied to the king, "May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord
the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?" (2 Samuel 24:3)
Joab knew that David was treading in dangerous waters when he brought up the idea to him. But David had it in his mind that
this is what he was going to do. And he did. The result: God judged David for this sin by smiting the nation with a plague that
resulted in the loss of 70,000 lives.
Recently, I was having lunch with a former stockbroker who lost everything in the 1987 stock crash in the United States. He
made an interesting comment. "You cannot know how to fully trust the Lord in the financial area until you really have to.
When I lost everything, I was forced to trust Him when I knew I could not pay my next bill unless God provided. This was the
time I learned to trust God. I never had to trust God before I lost my money because I had plenty. We don't willingly enter this
level of trust with God."
Ask God today to keep you from trusting in your own resources. Ask Him how to balance trust and blessing from Him this day.
March 8, 2008
Faith Versus Presumption
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 08 2008
"So she said to Abram, 'The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a
family through her.' Abram agreed to what Sarai said." - Genesis 16:2
Presumption is based on our own reasoning. Abraham and Sarah fell into presumption when they got too old to have
children. God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah - a son who would fulfill His promise to birth a nation. But Abraham
and Sarah were past the normal age for childbearing. So, they concluded that God needed help to work out His plan.
Many workplace believers make the same mistake every day. We make assumptions about what we believe God is doing and
wants us to do. However, before we really have full assurance that God has spoken to us on the matter and revealed His
perfect action plan, we move forward with our steps to get it done. How do we protect ourselves from presumption? The
Proverbs tell us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14 KJV). Submitting our decisions to others for
confirmation protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart. This process will protect us from presumption and
encourage us to move in faith. The next time you believe God is directing you toward a specific action, consult with your
spouse first, then some close, spiritual friends who will take the time to prayerfully consider your request. If you don't have
consensus, wait until you do before you move forward. God will move through this process to His desired will for the matter.
March 7, 2008
Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 07 2008
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
In the thirteenth century a man named William Wallace became the instrument of freedom from England's tyranny over
Scotland. A very wicked king ruled England. A tragedy in the life of William Wallace launched him into living for this cause.
Initially his cause was revenge, but soon his cause turned to something bigger than himself - freedom for a nation. When he
challenged the commoners to fight for this freedom, they responded that the enemy was too great and that they might die on
the battlefield. They also refused to fight for the nobles, the knights and leaders who had a vested interest in gaining more
land for themselves versus a pure cause of freedom. Wallace's response: "Yes, we might die. We will all die sooner or later.
But we will die for a cause worth dying for. So that our children and their children might live in freedom." This story was
popularized in the movie Brave Heart (Sherman Oaks, California: Paramount Pictures, 1995).
Today we find many Christian workplace believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as
"business as usual" than a life demonstrating God's power. Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard
of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence. While this takes place, millions upon millions
die without the saving grace of Christ. Many other Christians die never experiencing the freedom in Christ that His blood
paid for. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves - a life that is dependent on His grace and
power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed
that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life. This power is available to you and me to live for a cause
greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today. And consider yourself dead already to the
consequences of what that might mean for you.
March 6, 2008
The Depth and Width of Your Calling
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 06 2008
"If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you
patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer." - 2 Corinthians 1:6
"God must love you a lot! He doesn't allow someone to go through the kinds of adversity you have experienced unless He
has a special calling on your life." Those were the words said to me by two different mentors at two different times within a
three-year period. Later I would learn another related truth from a respected man of God - a man who lives in another
country, a man whom God uses throughout the globe. "The depth and width of your faith experiences are directly
proportional to your calling." What were these men of God saying?
They were describing a process of preparation that God takes each of His leaders through when He plans to use them in
significant ways. A "faith experience" is an event or "spiritual marker" in your life about which you can say, "That is where I
saw God personally moving in my life." It is an unmistakable event in which God showed Himself personally to you. It was the
burning bush for Moses; the crossing of the Red Sea or the Jordan River for the nation of Israel; Jacob's encounter with the
angel. It was the feeding of the 5,000 for the disciples. It was the time when you saw God face to face in your life.
If God has plans of using you in the lives of many others, you can expect that He is going to allow certain faith experiences
to come into your life in order to build a foundation that will be solid. That foundation is what you will be able to look back on
to keep you faithful to Him in the times of testing. Each of us must have personal faith experiences in which we experience
God personally so that we can move in faith to whatever He may call us. Do you need a personal faith experience right now
in your life? Pray that God will reveal Himself to you. He delights in doing that.
March 5, 2008
Striving Versus Abiding
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 05 2008
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1a
What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the
builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand
guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves" (Psalm 127:
1-2).
God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling
for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on
obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of
us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.
One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It
was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.
We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally
from a healthy tree.
Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and
obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to
help us walk in this freedom and rest.
March 4, 2008
Knowledge + Action = Faith
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 04 2008
"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them,
because those who heard did not combine it with faith." - Hebrews 4:2
The people of Israel were called out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. God said they would be brought out of 400 years of
slavery so that they might worship Him. God desired to bring them into a place of milk and honey - the Promised Land. Yet
that generation never entered into the Promised Land. Why? They never took what they knew in their head and transferred it
to their heart. Finally, it never resulted in actions that were based on what they believed.
When I was a new Christian I heard an illustration of what belief and faith looked like when combined. If you were a trapeze
artist and were skilled at walking across tightropes over high places, you might even be willing to walk across Niagara Falls.
In fact, I would have confidence that you could because I had seen your abilities as a trapeze artist. However, if you asked
me if you could push me in a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls, you would be challenging me to put my beliefs into action.
This requires faith, participation, and risk, which, until now, was based only on mental assent.
The writer of Hebrews is telling us that if we believe God but do not enter in to those promises, we are like the man who
chooses not to get into the wheelbarrow. If we don't act on our beliefs, then we remain in the desert like the people of Israel
who never received God's promises. They did not combine what they knew in their head with a faith that was put into action.
Has God spoken to you about an area in your life that requires a step of faith? Let God provide the courage, as He does the
knowledge, to act in faith on what you believe.
March 3, 2008
Forgiveness Ensures Freedom
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, March 03 2008
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews
12:15
In business and life the opportunity to harbor bitterness for a wrong suffered is great. We are given plenty of opportunities
to grow bitter from relationships that bring hurt and pain. The writer of the Hebrews passage above admonishes us not to
miss the grace of God so that we won't take up bitterness as a response to life's pain. He cautions us against this because
he knows that a bitter root grows and grows until it eventually defiles many others through a wake of bitterness. If bitterness
is allowed to take root, we become imprisoned to it. God's grace will no longer have as great an effect in our lives. We
become ineffective, insensitive, and spiritually dead. We can even become physically ill from it. God does not live in
bitterness. He lives in grace. He has provided grace for every person to walk in.
One day I was challenged to deal with an individual who hurt me terribly. I was faced with a decision. Would I choose
bitterness, or would I choose grace? Oh, how my natural tendency was to choose bitterness. But God provided the courage
to choose grace. With that grace came freedom - a freedom to love and even accept the person who was the source of such
pain.
This is the real place where Christ's power is most revealed. We cannot live without His supernatural grace. Are you in need
of grace today? It is there for the receiving. It will take courage to accept it and walk in it. This will be your step to freedom.
March 2, 2008
AND JESUS SAID: "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, UNLESS YOU
CHANGE AND BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN, YOU WILL
NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
( MATTHEW 18:3 *NIV )
I have never seen the verse above described better then
through the actions of a three-year-old child in the message
below. This message was sent to me a few days ago by one
of our subscribers. It asks us this important question.
"Do You Know Bailey's Jesus?" In the following message I
could feel the love and it brings tears to my eyes ever time
that I read it. I hope that it will move you as well, and that
you will enjoy it as much as I do.....
"Bailey's Jesus!"
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of
someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of
knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our
redemption and the love of our Savior.
Every year we attend a local church pageant which tells the
story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is
a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast
members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge
auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in
pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing
in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in
my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old
granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized
throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if
she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to
the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His
mother's arms.
Later when Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps
from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into
Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey
began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's
Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every
fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name
and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually
pass out.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a
child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the
blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!",
afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. This
was so much fun.
Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved
and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of
Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the
crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed.
"Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we
had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just
pretending," but she shouted "They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"
She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People
around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!".
Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a
most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross
down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were
yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and
beaten. Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it,"
she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these
people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream.
"Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we
all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and
killed as those first century disciples had.
Now going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine
for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK.
Jesus is going to be OK.
These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at
me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and
burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone
rolled away. A super bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close
to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus!
He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!" " It's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event,
but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall
never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection
through the eyes of an innocent child.
Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to
be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the
soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt
Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away
surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from
us and ran toward Him, wrapping herself around His legs, holding
on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He
patted her to go away. She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to
Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go
of her Jesus.
I think God in heaven stopped what ever was going on that day
and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You
see what I meant when I said; "LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN
COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR THE
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."
Amen! ( MATTHEW 19:14 )
March 1, 2008
Developing Our Heart for God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 01 2008
"I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword." - Zechariah 9:13b
In the third and fourth centuries followers of Socratic teaching and other Greek scholars began to influence the Church in
ways that were different from the Hebraic roots of the early Church. The Greek influence appeals more to the intellect,
whereas the early-Church Hebraic model appealed to the heart. The Greek influence resulted in more emphasis on oratory
skills and cognitive knowledge of God. Over the many centuries, this influence has shown itself in a more programmatic
approach to the gospel rather than a process of living out our faith. So why is it important for us to understand this?
I realized in my own life that I was a product of this Greek system. My walk with Christ focused more on what I knew rather
than on an intimate and powerful walk with God. Knowledge without power to express the life within is of little value. The
more programmatic the focus, the less emphasis we place on building deep and caring relationships that result in changed
lives. Our early Church fathers knew there was a cost to living out the Word of God, not simply giving mental assent to it.
Are you walking with God today in an intimate fellowship? Or, are you only involved in programs and activities designed to
do good things? Reflect on Proverbs 23:12: "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." We must
listen and respond with the heart. Whatever service we give to God should be a result of our relationship with our heavenly
Father, not an end unto itself.
Resolving the Ownership Issue
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 28 2008
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established
it upon the waters." - Psalm 24:1-2
As Christian workplace believers, God calls us to view Him as the owner of everything. We are to be stewards of all that He
entrusts to us. This is one of the hardest of all commandments to follow for the Christian workplace believer because, if we
work hard at business, we receive all the benefits of that work. It appears as though all that we have achieved was through
our hand. Yet God says that it is by His hand that we are able to make wealth (see Deut. 8). He is the source of that ability. As
soon as we become owners and not managers, we fall into trouble with God.
Joseph understood that he was a steward of all the resources of Egypt. God promoted him to affect an entire region of the
world. Joseph had more power, prestige, and wealth than any 30-year-old who ever lived before him. The temptation for him
in this newfound role in life must have been great. Many a man has not been able to handle material success. Many of God's
choicest servants began well in their calling and service to God only to fail at the end. Consider Hezekiah, the great king
who achieved many great things but failed to acknowledge God's blessing at the end of his reign. His reign was cut short
due to pride. Gideon's fate was similar. Success can lead to pride if we are not careful.
"Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to
survive is prosperity" [Oswald Chambers].
Ask the Lord today if you are living as a steward or an owner. Put whatever skills and resources you possess on His altar.
Then you can expect God to do great things through you.
March 27, 2008
Treasures in Darkness
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 27 2008
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of
Israel, who summons you by name." - Isaiah 45:3
"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to
death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this
area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed
those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture.
What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in
secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from
accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am
the Lord...who summons you by name."
You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will
never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to
meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head
is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every
opportunity to demonstrate this to us.
Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this
darkness. Let Him summon you by name.
March 26, 2008
Living a Life of Conviction
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 26 2008
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but
also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a
Everyone lives a life of conviction. Whatever we give our greatest time, our greatest energies, and our greatest resources
to is a good indication of where our convictions lie. Some live a life of conviction about sports. Some live a life of conviction
around pleasure. Still others live a life of conviction about very little that matters at all.
Whenever God chooses to do a deep work in a life, a strong conviction is born of the Holy Spirit. Conversions in the early
Church resulted in changed lives that held to a deep, life-transforming conviction regarding what they believed and how
they lived out that belief. Paul explains that the gospel they received came not just in words, but also in power, with the Holy
Spirit and with deep conviction.
In order to impact the workplace for Jesus Christ, each of us must be reflecting a faith that is demonstrated through deeply
held convictions. Are you living a life of deep conviction that spurs you on to reflect the power of Christ in your life and the
lives of others? Paul was willing to suffer great persecution for his faith in a living God. God calls each of us to a life that is
supernatural, not simply a good, moral life. The early Church understood the role the Holy Spirit played in demonstrating this
power of the gospel. It was this deep work that resulted in living the gospel with great conviction. If you are not living the
gospel with great conviction, ask the Holy Spirit to so fill your life today that the power of His Spirit is truly reflected in your
life so that you may impact others in your workplace.
March 25, 2008
Making Adjustments
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 25 2008
..."Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." - John 21:6
A former client of mine was the marketing director of a large food brokerage company and told me a story about one of their
client grocery stores located in the upper Midwest. It seems that the store could not understand why at a certain time every
winter sales plummeted. They studied their product line and interviewed customers. They did everything possible to
uncover the mystery. Finally, someone made a remarkable discovery that changed everything.
It seemed that whenever it was really cold outside, the manager raised the temperature in the store. When customers came
into the store it was too warm for them, so they removed their coats and placed them in their shopping carts. This meant less
room for food and resulted in reduced sales overall. They lowered the temperature of the store, and as a result, the sales
climbed back to the levels they were accustomed to. Their adjustment resulted in restoring sales levels.
Jesus stood on the shoreline and watched Peter and a few of the disciples fish. Jesus yelled from the shoreline asking if
they had caught anything. They had not. He then suggested they cast their line on the other side of the boat. Without
knowing the person who was addressing them, they took His advice. They began catching so many fish they could not bring
them in.
Adjusting our lives to God is the first thing that has to happen in order to begin experiencing Him in our daily lives. For
some, it is simply following the advice of those above us. For others, it may require a major change in our job situation. Still,
for others it could mean making changes in relationships. Whatever the case, you can be sure that until we adjust our lives
to God we will not receive His full blessing. Ask Him today where you need to adjust to Him.
March 20, 2008
The Anguish of Faith
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 20 2008
"Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit." - Psalm 143:7b
Of all the biblical characters, David gives us a glimpse of a man who walked with God with great emotion in victory and in
defeat. David never lost a battle throughout his many years of serving as king of Israel. In many of the Psalms, David often
lamented about the difficult places where God had placed him. He talked of his enemies and the need for God to deliver him.
He talked of God's everlasting love for him. How do you suppose David came to this understanding after years of being
sought after by King Saul who wanted to take his life? His years of turmoil within his family gave him many reasons to lose all
hope in a loving God.
David often began his Psalms in a place of discouragement and loss of hope. But he never ended one Psalm in defeat. He
always came to a place of victory in God by the end of the Psalm. David always placed his life in God's hands, knowing He
would care for him.
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You
I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God;
may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:8-10).
It is okay to feel discouragement. It is part of the process of grieving and working through those times of pain. But God
wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did.
Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you.
March 19, 2008
The Fallacy of Full-Time Christian Work
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 19 2008
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an
inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23-24
"I didn't know you were in full-time Christian work," said my close friend as we were driving. "I didn't realize that," she went
on. I responded, "Every person who has followed the will of God in their life is in full-time Christian work." God calls some to
the mission field, others to be accountants, and others to be advertising executives, and still others to be construction
workers. God never made a distinction between sacred and secular. In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the root word
having the same meaning of "work" and "worship." God sees our work as worship.
We have incorrectly elevated the role of the Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving
in a more secular environment. Yet the call to the secular workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His
people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from
society.
I learned this lesson personally when I sought to go into "full-time" service as a pastor in my late twenties, only to have God
thrust me back into the business world unwillingly. This turned out to be the best thing He could have done for me, because
it was never His will for me to be a pastor. He knew I was more suited for the workplace.
We are all in missions. Some are called to foreign lands. Some are called to the jungles of the workplace. Wherever you are
called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him
through you today and see your vocation as worship to His glory.
March 18, 2008
Discerning the Work of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 18 2008
"Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and
the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me." - Nehemiah 6:14
Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Nehemiah held a position in the Persian Empire
that would be comparable to Chief of Staff in our government. Nehemiah wept over the destruction of the city wall and
repented for the sins of his generation and the generations before him that had led to the fall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah
responded to the news by seeking approval from his superior to take time off to rebuild the wall. Tobiah and Sanballat met
Nehemiah's action with resistance, as did Noadiah the prophetess and other prophets. These were the religious and political
leaders of his day. They became distractions to his work and opposed him.
Whenever God does a new work, it is often met with resistance by those in the established religious community, and
sometimes among those from whom we would expect support. Jesus met the same resistance when He began His public
ministry. This same phenomenon happens today. When God begins a new work that cannot be easily explained based upon
prior experiences, many make the mistake of assuming it not to be of God. The very people who should embrace and
encourage the work become the source of skepticism and opposition. God tells us that His ways are not our ways. He does
things in ways beyond our limited understanding.
Before you are tempted to criticize or oppose something that looks different from your past experience, ask God for wisdom
and discernment. Examine why you might be tempted to oppose it. The Lord cannot be put in a box. He delights in doing
things in ways that may not fit our former paradigms.
March 17, 2008
A Refiner's Fire
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, March 17 2008
"For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap." - Malachi 3:2b
The Lord has a specific manner of preparing His people for useful service. God desires to turn His children from rough, hard-
edged stones into gems of gold and silver.
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will
have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the
Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years" (Malachi 3:3-4).
The refiner's fire can only accomplish its purposes when the heat is turned up to extraordinary temperatures. It breaks down
the metal in order for it to become moldable and shapeable. Only when the temperatures reach this level can the work be
fully accomplished. So it is in our lives.
Until the Lord completes His refining process, the offerings we make are not made in righteousness and cannot be
acceptable. Thank God that Jesus is our righteousness and that there is no righteousness apart from Him. Still, the Lord
continues to purge all that is not of His righteousness out of our lives. This comes through trials that bring each of us to the
end of ourselves in order that He may only reflect that which is Himself.
When God takes you through the refiner's fire, be encouraged because it is His overriding commitment to turn you from a
rough, hard-edged stone to a precious metal. He will do this through certain events in your workplace, your relationships,
and other circumstances in your life. Our job is to avoid trying to blow out the fire.
March 16, 2008
Death and Birth of a Vision
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, March 16 2008
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it
produces many seeds. - John 12:24 Almost every significant thing God births He allows to die before the vision is fulfilled in
His own way. ? Abraham had a vision of being the father of a great nation (birth). Sarah was barren and became too old to
have children (death). God gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. He became the father of a great nation
(fulfillment). ? Joseph had a vision that he would be a great leader and that many would bow down to him (birth). Joseph's
brothers sold him to some merchants and he became a slave. Later he was falsely condemned to spend his years in prison
(death). God allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker and later the king, whereupon, he was made a
ruler in the land (fulfillment). ? Moses had a vision of leading his people out of the bondage of Egypt (birth). Pharaoh as well
as his own people drove Moses out of Egypt after Moses' first attempt to relieve their bondage (death). God gave Moses
signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh to free the people and bring them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land
(fulfillment). ? The disciples had a vision of establishing the Kingdom of God with Jesus (birth). The very ones He came to
save killed Jesus, and the disciples saw Him buried in a tomb (death). God raised Jesus from the dead, and the disciples
performed great miracles until the gospel had spread through all the world (fulfillment). ? A grain of wheat has a "vision" of
reproducing itself and many more grains of wheat (birth). The grain dies in the ground (death). A harvest springs up out of
the very process of "death" in the ground (fulfillment). Has God given you a vision that is yet unfulfilled? If that vision is
born of God, He will raise it up in His own way. Do not try to raise the vision in your own strength. Like Moses, who tried to
fulfill the vision of freeing the Hebrews by killing the Egyptian, it will only fail. But wait on your heavenly Father to fulfill the
vision. Then you will know that it was His vision when He fulfills it in the way only He can do.
March 15, 2008
Following Only the Father's Commands
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 15 2008
"Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His
Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'" - John 5:19
Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going
to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time
were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or
stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life
appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.
How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly
Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in.
Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do
it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this
activity?"
"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I
take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" These
are the daily challenges for the world we now live in. We are an activity-based society that often encourages more and more
activity, often in the name of Christian virtue.
Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not
always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone. Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to
spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to
cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more
fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
March 14, 2008
The First Requirement of Ministry
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 14 2008
"The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord." - Joel 1:9b
The first requirement for being used by God in the life of others is to mourn on their behalf. We must identify with their pain
and suffering. Each of us must be broken for others first.
In order to be fully used by God in the workplace, we need to understand what breaks God's heart. When we understand
what breaks God's heart, we are able to mourn on behalf of a grieving person, or a nation we are called to serve. What
breaks God's heart? When we begin to answer this question, we begin the first step to becoming instruments of change for
those things that are important to God. Perhaps it is an overemphasis in our own talent and abilities, or lack of complete
trust in Jesus. Perhaps it is the lack of respect for human life that leads to the killing of innocent babies. Perhaps it is the
deceit and pride that often rule the workplace of commerce. Or perhaps it is the strife and divisions among His own Body
that grieve Him most. When we begin to mourn over our own sins in these areas, God begins to use us as instruments of
righteousness to affect these things. It was only when God let me see my own sins in the workplace and how they broke His
heart that I began to be an instrument for His purposes.
Today, ask God to show you what things in your world are breaking His heart. Then see how He might want you to be the
priest to affect for Him. The first step is identification with what breaks God's heart.
March 13, 2008
Obeying the Spirit of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 13 2008
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road - the desert road - that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.'" -
Acts 8:26
Philip was conducting what we might today call a revival meeting. God was blessing the meeting, and many were being
healed and delivered from demonic influence. Here is the scene:
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous
signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and
cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:5-8).
And yet, in the midst of this great event, the Holy Spirit spoke to Philip and told him to remove himself and go to a completely
different area to speak to one individual. Philip was so sensitive to the directive of the Holy Spirit that he left what would be
deemed a successful event to go speak to another - an Ethiopian eunuch. The result of his obedience was that Philip led the
eunuch to faith in Christ and baptized him. The Lord then took Philip away supernaturally to another region many miles away.
God's ways of determining where we invest our time and energy often have little to do with results. The danger for each of
us is to determine that we are in the center of God's will simply by the success or failure of the events we are involved in.
Our plumb line for determining success can be only one thing: obedience. Philip responded in obedience to the direction of
the Holy Spirit.
Are you listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Has God prompted you to speak, go, or come alongside another? Ask God
today to help you hear the Holy Spirit's voice so that you might be used mightily in your workplace.
March 12, 2008
Understanding the Source of Anger
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 12 2008
"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." - Proverbs 29:11
The workplace can be a pressure-packed world. The demands that are often put on us can bring out things that we never
knew were there. Sometimes we begin to think that the source of that pressure is to blame for our response to the pressure.
It could be an event, a spouse, a boss, a client, a child, or even a driver who cuts us off in traffic.
I recall responding to a close friend one time, "If you had not done that, I would never have responded that way." Later I
learned that this response had little truth to it. We all choose to get angry. No one else is to blame for our anger.
"The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the
way I am" [Dr. Sam Peeples].
This simple quote has had a profound impact on how I view my anger now. Anger only reveals what is inside of me. I can't
blame anyone but me for my response to a situation. I have learned that anger is only the symptom of something else that is
going on inside of me. This quote now resides on my refrigerator door as a daily reminder of the truth about my response to
life's situations.
It has been said that anger is like the warning panel on the dash of your car. It is the light that tells us something is going on
under the hood and we need to find out what is the source of the problem. I discovered that the source of anger is often
unmet expectations or personal rights. We believe we are entitled to a particular outcome to a situation. When this doesn't
happen, it triggers something in us. At the core of this is fear, often a fear of failure or rejection, fear of what others think,
fear of the unknown.
If you struggle with anger, ask God to reveal the source of that anger. Ask Him to heal you of any fears that may be the root
of your anger. Ask God to help you take responsibility for your response to difficult situations.
March 11, 2008
Jesus Said; "THERE IS NOTHING THAT ENTERS A MAN
FROM THE OUTSIDE WHICH CAN DEFILE HIM; BUT THE
THINGS WHICH COME OUT OF HIM, THOSE ARE THE
THINGS THAT DEFILE HIM."
( MARK 7:15 *NKJV )
As Christians we must be careful of the words we speak,
and keep them soft and sweet, because sometimes we can
defile ourselves with our words. For if we are not careful:
OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEED BLESSING AND
CURSING. MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT
TO BE SO. ( JAMES 3:10 ) Therefore: LET YOUR SPEECH
ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT,
THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU OUGHT TO ANSWER
EACH OTHER. ( COLOSSIANS 4:6 )
So Beloved, speak only words of kindness, and: SPEAK
EVIL TO NO ONE, TO BE PEACEABLE, GENTLE,
SHOWING ALL HUMILITY TO ALL MEN. ( TITUS 3:2 )
FINALLY, ALL OF YOU BE OF ONE MIND, HAVING
COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER; LOVE AS
BROTHERS, BE TENDERHEARTED, BE COURTEOUS;
NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL OR REVILING FOR
REVILING, BUT ON THE CONTRARY BLESSING,
KNOWING THAT YOU WERE CALLED TO THIS, THAT
YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING. Amen.
( 1 PETER 3:8-9 )
March 10, 2008
GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO
LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
( JOHN 15:13 *NKJV )
Dear Scott,
As you know a good friend is worth more than gold, for they
will stick by you through good times or bad. For, A MAN
WHO HAS FRIENDS MUST HIMSELF BE FRIENDLY, BUT
THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A
BROTHER. ( PROVERBS 18:24 )
Jesus Christ is such a friend, for He has said, "YOU ARE
MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU.
NO LONGER DO I CALL YOU SERVANTS, FOR A SERVANT
DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HIS MASTER IS DOING; BUT I
HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR ALL THINGS THAT I
HEARD FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO
YOU." ( JOHN 15:15-16 )
Therefore It seems very appropriate, at this time, to share
this poem with you, about our dearest friend, Jesus Christ.
The Dearest Friend!
I have a Friend in Jesus,
He's ever walking near
To share my every burden
And take away my fear.
It's in His precious name I pray
To our God above;
It's through His sacred teachings that
I learned the way to love.
God did not put me on this earth
To walk life's path alone;
He sent His Son to be my Guide,
The dearest Friend I've known.
No other One could be so true,
He bore the cross for me;
Because He died for my sins
I must ever faithful be.
If you are lonely on life's way
And feel that no one cares,
You have a Friend in Jesus
If you will kneel in prayer.
Poet, Kay Hoffman
March 9, 2008
Confidence in Numbers
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Sunday, March 09 2008
"David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, 'I have sinned greatly in
what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg You, take away the guilt of Your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'" - 2 Samuel
24:10
It just seems to be human nature. As we grow in wealth and ability, our confidence moves from complete trust in the Lord to
trust in our resources. King David decided one day that he needed to know how many fighting men he had in his army. This
was a grievous sin in the nation of Israel. God always made it clear to the nation that He, not their army, was their source. It
was against the law of God to number the troops. David's general, Joab, knew the serious nature of such an action.
But Joab replied to the king, "May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord
the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?" (2 Samuel 24:3)
Joab knew that David was treading in dangerous waters when he brought up the idea to him. But David had it in his mind that
this is what he was going to do. And he did. The result: God judged David for this sin by smiting the nation with a plague that
resulted in the loss of 70,000 lives.
Recently, I was having lunch with a former stockbroker who lost everything in the 1987 stock crash in the United States. He
made an interesting comment. "You cannot know how to fully trust the Lord in the financial area until you really have to.
When I lost everything, I was forced to trust Him when I knew I could not pay my next bill unless God provided. This was the
time I learned to trust God. I never had to trust God before I lost my money because I had plenty. We don't willingly enter this
level of trust with God."
Ask God today to keep you from trusting in your own resources. Ask Him how to balance trust and blessing from Him this day.
March 8, 2008
Faith Versus Presumption
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 08 2008
"So she said to Abram, 'The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a
family through her.' Abram agreed to what Sarai said." - Genesis 16:2
Presumption is based on our own reasoning. Abraham and Sarah fell into presumption when they got too old to have
children. God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah - a son who would fulfill His promise to birth a nation. But Abraham
and Sarah were past the normal age for childbearing. So, they concluded that God needed help to work out His plan.
Many workplace believers make the same mistake every day. We make assumptions about what we believe God is doing and
wants us to do. However, before we really have full assurance that God has spoken to us on the matter and revealed His
perfect action plan, we move forward with our steps to get it done. How do we protect ourselves from presumption? The
Proverbs tell us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14 KJV). Submitting our decisions to others for
confirmation protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart. This process will protect us from presumption and
encourage us to move in faith. The next time you believe God is directing you toward a specific action, consult with your
spouse first, then some close, spiritual friends who will take the time to prayerfully consider your request. If you don't have
consensus, wait until you do before you move forward. God will move through this process to His desired will for the matter.
March 7, 2008
Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Friday, March 07 2008
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
In the thirteenth century a man named William Wallace became the instrument of freedom from England's tyranny over
Scotland. A very wicked king ruled England. A tragedy in the life of William Wallace launched him into living for this cause.
Initially his cause was revenge, but soon his cause turned to something bigger than himself - freedom for a nation. When he
challenged the commoners to fight for this freedom, they responded that the enemy was too great and that they might die on
the battlefield. They also refused to fight for the nobles, the knights and leaders who had a vested interest in gaining more
land for themselves versus a pure cause of freedom. Wallace's response: "Yes, we might die. We will all die sooner or later.
But we will die for a cause worth dying for. So that our children and their children might live in freedom." This story was
popularized in the movie Brave Heart (Sherman Oaks, California: Paramount Pictures, 1995).
Today we find many Christian workplace believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as
"business as usual" than a life demonstrating God's power. Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard
of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence. While this takes place, millions upon millions
die without the saving grace of Christ. Many other Christians die never experiencing the freedom in Christ that His blood
paid for. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves - a life that is dependent on His grace and
power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed
that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life. This power is available to you and me to live for a cause
greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today. And consider yourself dead already to the
consequences of what that might mean for you.
March 6, 2008
The Depth and Width of Your Calling
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, March 06 2008
"If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you
patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer." - 2 Corinthians 1:6
"God must love you a lot! He doesn't allow someone to go through the kinds of adversity you have experienced unless He
has a special calling on your life." Those were the words said to me by two different mentors at two different times within a
three-year period. Later I would learn another related truth from a respected man of God - a man who lives in another
country, a man whom God uses throughout the globe. "The depth and width of your faith experiences are directly
proportional to your calling." What were these men of God saying?
They were describing a process of preparation that God takes each of His leaders through when He plans to use them in
significant ways. A "faith experience" is an event or "spiritual marker" in your life about which you can say, "That is where I
saw God personally moving in my life." It is an unmistakable event in which God showed Himself personally to you. It was the
burning bush for Moses; the crossing of the Red Sea or the Jordan River for the nation of Israel; Jacob's encounter with the
angel. It was the feeding of the 5,000 for the disciples. It was the time when you saw God face to face in your life.
If God has plans of using you in the lives of many others, you can expect that He is going to allow certain faith experiences
to come into your life in order to build a foundation that will be solid. That foundation is what you will be able to look back on
to keep you faithful to Him in the times of testing. Each of us must have personal faith experiences in which we experience
God personally so that we can move in faith to whatever He may call us. Do you need a personal faith experience right now
in your life? Pray that God will reveal Himself to you. He delights in doing that.
March 5, 2008
Striving Versus Abiding
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 05 2008
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1a
What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the
builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand
guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves" (Psalm 127:
1-2).
God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling
for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on
obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of
us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.
One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It
was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.
We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally
from a healthy tree.
Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and
obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to
help us walk in this freedom and rest.
March 4, 2008
Knowledge + Action = Faith
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 04 2008
"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them,
because those who heard did not combine it with faith." - Hebrews 4:2
The people of Israel were called out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. God said they would be brought out of 400 years of
slavery so that they might worship Him. God desired to bring them into a place of milk and honey - the Promised Land. Yet
that generation never entered into the Promised Land. Why? They never took what they knew in their head and transferred it
to their heart. Finally, it never resulted in actions that were based on what they believed.
When I was a new Christian I heard an illustration of what belief and faith looked like when combined. If you were a trapeze
artist and were skilled at walking across tightropes over high places, you might even be willing to walk across Niagara Falls.
In fact, I would have confidence that you could because I had seen your abilities as a trapeze artist. However, if you asked
me if you could push me in a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls, you would be challenging me to put my beliefs into action.
This requires faith, participation, and risk, which, until now, was based only on mental assent.
The writer of Hebrews is telling us that if we believe God but do not enter in to those promises, we are like the man who
chooses not to get into the wheelbarrow. If we don't act on our beliefs, then we remain in the desert like the people of Israel
who never received God's promises. They did not combine what they knew in their head with a faith that was put into action.
Has God spoken to you about an area in your life that requires a step of faith? Let God provide the courage, as He does the
knowledge, to act in faith on what you believe.
March 3, 2008
Forgiveness Ensures Freedom
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, March 03 2008
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews
12:15
In business and life the opportunity to harbor bitterness for a wrong suffered is great. We are given plenty of opportunities
to grow bitter from relationships that bring hurt and pain. The writer of the Hebrews passage above admonishes us not to
miss the grace of God so that we won't take up bitterness as a response to life's pain. He cautions us against this because
he knows that a bitter root grows and grows until it eventually defiles many others through a wake of bitterness. If bitterness
is allowed to take root, we become imprisoned to it. God's grace will no longer have as great an effect in our lives. We
become ineffective, insensitive, and spiritually dead. We can even become physically ill from it. God does not live in
bitterness. He lives in grace. He has provided grace for every person to walk in.
One day I was challenged to deal with an individual who hurt me terribly. I was faced with a decision. Would I choose
bitterness, or would I choose grace? Oh, how my natural tendency was to choose bitterness. But God provided the courage
to choose grace. With that grace came freedom - a freedom to love and even accept the person who was the source of such
pain.
This is the real place where Christ's power is most revealed. We cannot live without His supernatural grace. Are you in need
of grace today? It is there for the receiving. It will take courage to accept it and walk in it. This will be your step to freedom.
March 2, 2008
AND JESUS SAID: "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, UNLESS YOU
CHANGE AND BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN, YOU WILL
NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
( MATTHEW 18:3 *NIV )
I have never seen the verse above described better then
through the actions of a three-year-old child in the message
below. This message was sent to me a few days ago by one
of our subscribers. It asks us this important question.
"Do You Know Bailey's Jesus?" In the following message I
could feel the love and it brings tears to my eyes ever time
that I read it. I hope that it will move you as well, and that
you will enjoy it as much as I do.....
"Bailey's Jesus!"
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of
someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of
knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our
redemption and the love of our Savior.
Every year we attend a local church pageant which tells the
story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is
a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast
members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge
auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in
pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing
in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in
my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old
granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized
throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if
she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to
the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His
mother's arms.
Later when Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps
from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into
Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey
began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's
Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every
fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name
and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually
pass out.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a
child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the
blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!",
afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. This
was so much fun.
Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved
and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of
Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the
crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed.
"Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we
had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just
pretending," but she shouted "They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"
She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People
around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!".
Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a
most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross
down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were
yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and
beaten. Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it,"
she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these
people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream.
"Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we
all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and
killed as those first century disciples had.
Now going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine
for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK.
Jesus is going to be OK.
These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at
me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and
burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone
rolled away. A super bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close
to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus!
He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!" " It's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event,
but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall
never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection
through the eyes of an innocent child.
Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to
be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the
soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt
Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away
surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from
us and ran toward Him, wrapping herself around His legs, holding
on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He
patted her to go away. She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to
Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go
of her Jesus.
I think God in heaven stopped what ever was going on that day
and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You
see what I meant when I said; "LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN
COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR THE
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."
Amen! ( MATTHEW 19:14 )
March 1, 2008
Developing Our Heart for God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, March 01 2008
"I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword." - Zechariah 9:13b
In the third and fourth centuries followers of Socratic teaching and other Greek scholars began to influence the Church in
ways that were different from the Hebraic roots of the early Church. The Greek influence appeals more to the intellect,
whereas the early-Church Hebraic model appealed to the heart. The Greek influence resulted in more emphasis on oratory
skills and cognitive knowledge of God. Over the many centuries, this influence has shown itself in a more programmatic
approach to the gospel rather than a process of living out our faith. So why is it important for us to understand this?
I realized in my own life that I was a product of this Greek system. My walk with Christ focused more on what I knew rather
than on an intimate and powerful walk with God. Knowledge without power to express the life within is of little value. The
more programmatic the focus, the less emphasis we place on building deep and caring relationships that result in changed
lives. Our early Church fathers knew there was a cost to living out the Word of God, not simply giving mental assent to it.
Are you walking with God today in an intimate fellowship? Or, are you only involved in programs and activities designed to
do good things? Reflect on Proverbs 23:12: "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." We must
listen and respond with the heart. Whatever service we give to God should be a result of our relationship with our heavenly
Father, not an end unto itself.