August Devotionals
August 28, 2007
Motivations to Call
by Os Hillman, August 28, 2007
..."Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." - Mark 10:49
Do you recall the circumstances when God first called you into relationship with
Him? Were you in need of something? Were you in a crisis situation? Every day God
calls someone into relationship with Him through different circumstances. More
often than not, the circumstances relate to a need in their life that only God can
meet.
Bartimaeus had the need to see again. He was a poor blind beggar, who had heard
about Jesus and the miracles He had done. The crowds rebuked him for seeking
Jesus, yet he continued to cry out. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but
he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'...Throwing his cloak
aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus" (Mk. 10:48,50). That day,
Bartimaeus saw for the first time. But more than that, he saw with spiritual eyes for
the first time.
Each workday, we rub shoulders with someone who has not met this Jesus we know
personally. God uses needs to draw us to Himself. What need has He placed in a
coworker that only Christ can meet? Perhaps you are the instrument He wants to
use to introduce that person to Himself. It requires availability and a willingness to
look for people with needs, then point them to Christ to meet their needs. Pray for
divine appointments today.
August 18, 2007
The Response of Faith
by Os Hillman, August 18, 2007
..."Everything is all right".... - 2 Kings 4:26
The prophet Elisha often would travel through the town of Shunem, and in that town
was a well-to-do couple who extended hospitality to him. At first, they simply offered
Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to
stay and study, they built a room for him above their house so that each time he
came through town, he had a place to stay. He was so appreciative of their kindness
that one day he asked the wife what he could do for her. His servant Gehazi later
informed Elisha that the woman was barren and her husband was old. " 'About this
time next year,' Elisha said, 'you will hold a son in your arms' " (2 Kings 4:16). A
year later the son arrived.
One day the father was working in the field, and the son became ill and died. The
woman ran to meet Elisha to inform him. When Elisha asked what was wrong, she
did not panic and react in fear. Her response to Elisha seemed almost unnatural.
"Everything is all right," she said. Elisha went to the boy and raised him from the
dead. It was a glorious miracle. (See Second Kings 4.)
Faith looks at situations through God's eyes, not the eyes of our limited
understanding. This woman did not panic, for she knew something more than the
current circumstance. Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like
devastating circumstances may be God's plan to bring glory to Himself by
demonstrating His power. When Jesus appeared on the water to the disciples in the
middle of the night, they exclaimed, "It's a ghost!" (see Mt. 14:26) First appearances
can bring great fear upon us even to the point of paralyzing us. Find the Lord in your
circumstance today. Exercise your faith today and trust Him for His outcome in the
situation.
August 17, 2007
Mixing Faith With Commerce
by Os Hillman, August 17, 2007
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil." - 2 Kings 4:2b
Her husband had died. There was no way to fulfill her debts. Her creditors decided to
take her two sons as slaves for payment of the obligations that still remained. She
pleaded for assistance with the only man of God she knew.
"Is there anything in your house?" Elisha asked.
"Nothing at all," she said, "except a little oil."
Elisha then instructed her to go and collect all the empty jars that her neighbors
might possess. "Ask for as many as you can," he instructed.
When the jars were collected, he instructed her to pour what little oil she had into
the jars. The oil was more than enough to fill the jars. In fact, there was more oil
than jars to fill. "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on
what is left" (2 Kings 4:7b).
God often mixes faith with the tangible. The widow believed she had no resources to
meet her need. God said she had more than enough resources. She did not see the
one jar of oil as a resource. It did not become a resource until it was mixed with
faith. Her need was met when her faith was mixed with the practical step of going
into the workplace to sell what she had in order to receive her needed income. In
fact, there was so much income she was able to pay her debts and live on the money
derived from the sale.
Quite often we forget that God works through commerce to provide for our needs. It
is wrong to place total trust in commerce without faith in God. God often requires
simple obedience to an act that seems ridiculous to the logical mind. It is this faith
mixed with the practical that God honors.
Do you have a problem that is perplexing to you? Do you see no way of meeting your
need? God may have already given you the skills and talents to meet your need.
However, He may be waiting for you to mix them with faith. Ask God to show you
the steps necessary to solve your problem. Be willing to take the next step.
August 16, 2007
Rejected for Christ
by Os Hillman, August 16, 2007
And they took offense at Him.... - Matthew 13:57
Jesus taught in the synagogue in the community He grew up in. He was raised as a
local carpenter's son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy's life. But
something changed as He became older. "Where did this man get this wisdom and
these miraculous powers?" Those in the community could not reconcile God's work
in someone they thought they knew simply as the carpenter's son. God brings every
person who is committed to Him out of their normal routine into a new revelation of
Himself that impacts others.
Is the move of God so evident in your life that it invites scrutiny from friends or
coworkers? Jesus confronted the issues of His day without fear of being rejected. A
life of obedience will be an affront to the systems of this world. When God begins His
deeper work in you, it will be a stumbling block to those around you. When you are
rejected for Christ, consider that Christ is affirming His call on your life and you are
becoming a threat to the kingdom of darkness. How many of satan's workers do you
suppose have been assigned to thwart God's activity in your life? Those who sit in a
pew from week to week and never speak the name of Christ in the workplace
require few opponents because they represent no threat to the kingdom of darkness.
How are you impacting the kingdom of darkness? God has called you and me to
impact the lives around us for His Kingdom. Your words may be an affront to those
around you; do not fear this. God will use your words and life to draw others to
Himself. You are His ambassador in the workplace. He has placed you there for this
time to extend life to those who live in darkness.
August 15, 2007
Blameless
by Os Hillman, August 15, 2007
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good
thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. - Psalm 84:11
If you were running for political office, what approach would your opponent take
against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign, would there be any
ammunition for him to use? Think how you would feel if the director of the opposing
campaign came to you afterwards and said, "Sir, we tried to find something negative
to play up in our campaign against you, but we couldn't."
What does it really mean to be a person who is blameless before God? Being
blameless before God does not mean we are perfect. No human being is perfect. It
means that we so fully trust in God that we are willing to make things right when we
fail. We are willing to humble ourselves continually before the throne of God. "...
Blessed is the man who trusts in You" (Psalm 84:12). God has a specific plan for the
people who fully trust in Him. He promises to be their shield, to bestow honor on
them. He will not withhold any good thing from them. What a promise! What
motivation to be all that we can be in God.
Imagine living a life that God views as blameless, which allows Him to withhold no
good thing. Pray that God would make you and me that kind of person.
August 14, 2007
Things I Cannot Understand
by Os Hillman, August 14, 2007
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. -
Job 42:3b
If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God's love, it was Job.
He lost his family, his health, and his wealth-all at the same time. His friends came
to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of
his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as "blameless and
upright" (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged
God's right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He
questioned God's motives.
God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a
series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God
to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the
motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his
Creator and realized his total depravity. "Surely I spoke of things I did not
understand, things too wonderful for me to know."
Have you ever questioned God's activity in your life? Have you questioned His love
for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers
the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the
only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be
understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time
when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace
Him in the hard times and the good.
August 13, 2007
The Faithfulness of God
by Os Hillman, August 13, 2007
The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord
upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. - Psalm 145:13b-14
Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you
could depend on that person to do what he said. You learned that his word was
completely trustworthy. If he said he would call you, he would. If he said he'd be
somewhere at a certain time, he'd be there. In fact, if he was late, you began to
wonder if he had an accident because it was so contrary to his nature. It's great to
have friends who are faithful.
God is faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise in His Word. Sometimes we
think God isn't faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have.
Sometimes we think He is not faithful because of a crisis event that seems to say
God isn't faithful. We must remember that God is more concerned about
accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the
desires of our heart. Sometimes this results in hardship.
The Bible is full of accounts of God's faithfulness that was often accompanied by
hardship. He brought Joseph out of slavery to be greatly used in a nation. He
delivered the people from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave
Abraham the son of promise late in his life. He delivered David from his enemies
and made him a king. In story upon story, we learn of God's faithfulness.
Are you a faithful man or woman? The workplace needs faithful men and women.
Take an inventory of your life today and ask God if you have been faithful with what
He has entrusted to you.
August 12, 2007
Business as Ministry
by Os Hillman, August 12, 2007
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
The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life is to reflect Christ in and
through our lives. It is an attitude that says our work is to have an overriding
"ministry" objective to it. Our work is our worship to God. These two words even
originate from the same Hebrew word, avodah.
Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885 but grew up in New Zealand. Born to
Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw
began working in a hardware merchant company as a traveling sales representative
when he was 19. Later he had the idea for a mail-order catalogue business that sold
everything imaginable including underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm
equipment, all at bargain-basement prices. His concept proved successful and his
business later merged with the Farmer's Union Trading Company. He became
general manager and held that position for 50 years.
But this is not the most significant thing that can be said about Robert Laidlaw. He
understood that his work life was a tool to affect others for Jesus Christ. He began
giving ten percent of his income early in his business life. Later, however, he
entered this into his journal: "September 1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to
change my earlier graduated scale, and start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my
earnings." This he continued for the next 60 years. [John Woodbridge, ed., More
Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 351.]
The result of that commitment was countless numbers affected for Jesus Christ
through the resources he gave to mission groups and other worthy Christian causes.
He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote a small book that gave a thoughtful
answer to basic questions about life and faith. It was titled The Reason. Many
hundreds of thousands came to faith in Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He
publicly spoke to many of his faith in Christ and became very involved in the
Soldier's and Airmen's Association when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw
understood what it meant to view business with an overriding ministry objective.
Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If so, you will be able to see your
work life as an extension of His life in you. Let the Lord live in and through your
work life today.
August 11, 2007
Reflecting His Glory
by Os Hillman, August 11, 2007
They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men
may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. - Psalm
145:11-12
How do you measure your effectiveness in God, or should you even be thinking like
this? The early Church turned the world upside down in that first century. What
made them so effective? Was it their theology? Was it great preaching? Was it due
to one man's influence apart from Jesus?
The Scriptures are clear as to what made the early Church effective. It is at the core
of God's heart, and it is quite simple. God desires to reflect His nature and power
through every individual. When this happens, the world is automatically changed
because those who reflect His glory affect the world.
We serve a jealous God. He is a God who will not share His glory with anyone. God
sets up situations in order to demonstrate His power through them. He has done this
since the day He created man. His desire is to reflect His glory through you and me,
so that all men may know of His mighty acts and the glorious splendor of His
Kingdom.
The apostle Paul understood this principle: "My message and my preaching were not
with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so
that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor. 2:4-5).
If you do not see His glory being reflected through your life, then you need to ask
why. He has promised to do so if we will walk in obedience to His commands.
August 10, 2007
Waiting on God
by Os Hillman, August 10, 2007
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the
Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! - Isaiah 30:18
Have you ever noticed that God is not in a hurry? It took 40 years for Moses to
receive his commission to lead the people out of Egypt. It took 17 years of
preparation before Joseph was delivered from slavery and imprisonment. It took 20
years before Jacob was released from Laban's control. Abraham and Sarah were in
their old age when they finally received the son of promise, Isaac. So why isn't God
in a hurry?
God called each of these servants to accomplish a certain task in His Kingdom, yet
He was in no hurry to bring their mission into fulfillment. First, He accomplished
what He wanted in them. We are often more focused on outcome than the process
that He is accomplishing in our lives each day. When we experience His presence
daily, one day we wake up and realize that God has done something special in and
through our lives. However, the accomplishment is no longer what excites us.
Instead, what excites us is knowing Him. Through those times, we become more
acquainted with His love, grace, and power in our lives. When this happens, we are
no longer focused on the outcome because the outcome is a result of our walk with
Him. It is not the goal of our walk, but the by-product. Hence, when Joseph came to
power in Egypt, he probably couldn't have cared less. He had come to a place of
complete surrender so that he was not anxious about tomorrow or his circumstances.
This is the lesson for us. We must wait for God's timing and embrace wherever we
are in the process. When we find contentment in that place, we begin to experience
God in ways we never thought possible.
August 9, 2007
Being a Shelter for Those in Need
by Os Hillman, August 7, 2007
Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like
streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. -
Isaiah 32:2
Have you ever walked in a dry, hot climate for an extended time? The sun beats
down, sweat begins to pour off your brow, and your throat and mouth are parched
with thirst. A little shade, a slight breeze, or a cool drink becomes the greatest thing
one could value at the moment.
When you and I walk with Christ in the workplace, we become that kind of oasis for
non-Christians. However, they may not recognize it at the time. Let's face it, the
workplace is pretty tough, especially when Christ is not in the center of it.
When a person becomes aware of their need of Christ through you or me, we have
become a shelter from the wind. We become their refuge from the storms of life.
Someone once said that you and I might be the only Bible someone ever reads, so we
need to be something worth reading. Are you available to be that shelter for a non-
believing friend? If so, then you may open the eyes of someone who has been blind
his whole life. What an incredible blessing to know you were the instrument God
used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God.
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who
hear will listen (Isaiah 32:3).
August 8, 2007
Embracing the Mess
by Os Hillman, August 8, 2007
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox
comes an abundant harvest. - Proverbs 14:4
My wife and I run together through a new home subdivision. Often we see the street
filled with red clay from the land as bulldozers clear it to lay a foundation. The job
site is littered with lumber, all sorts of trash from workers, and is generally a mess.
The house looks ugly; it has all its insides exposed as it is being pieced together, yet
this process is necessary to get to the finished product. When completed, the home is
beautiful. The landscaping looks like it came out of a home-design magazine.
Everything is clean and perfect in order for the new homeowner to move in.
Our walk with God is much the same process. Often we must go through a messy
period of our lives in which all aspects of it are in disarray. It is in these times that
God builds a new structure. He might remove some structural timbers in our lives
and replace them with new ones. He might even add on another room. And unless
this process takes place, we will never see the end product. The goal is more
Christlikeness. In order to achieve this in us, He requires a period of removing all
that is not of Him. It can be a painful process.
It would be impossible to keep oxen in a barn without having to clean up the mess
from time to time. It just comes with the territory, but the result of the oxen is an
abundant harvest. God may be allowing a mess in order to ensure a fruitful harvest
in your life. Learn from Him so that you might experience the fulfillment of His
purposes for you in these times.
August 7, 2007
The Causes of Failure
by Os Hillman, August 7, 2007
You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it. - Joshua 7:13b
The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once
they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and
Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the
enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory.
They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that
should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was
devastated. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the
Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?" (Josh. 7:7a)
In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had
set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle.
However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire
nation for one man's sin.
Whenever we act without God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God
to thwart our plans. God's word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his
enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.
Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no
unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort:
unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits,
dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises.
These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God
wants to bless, but cannot because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His
name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.
Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and
clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure
the blessing of God today.
August 6, 2007
"May I Pray for You?"
by Os Hillman, August 6, 2007
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6
I walked into the office. The secretary seemed physically struggling with her
breathing and her countenance was different than normal.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Allergies," she replied. "Sometimes it gets so bad I can hardly breathe."
"May I pray for you?" I asked.
"Oh, I don't want to take up His time with something as menial as me. I'd rather
not waste it on me. You should pray for someone much less fortunate than me. My
mother always taught us to pray at the dinner table for those less fortunate than
us," she replied. The woman was touched that I would offer to pray for her.
The next day I told her my prayer group was praying for her. She could not believe
that I would do such a thing for her.
It is interesting what happens when you offer to pray for someone. Offering to pray
for someone can be the most genuine and loving thing you can do for another
person. It can be the one means of getting a conversation on a spiritual plane that
cuts across religious stigmas and gets to the root of the problem-the person's real
need. It immediately reveals your own values and sets the stage for future
encounters. All it takes is a little holy boldness to step through the door when the
opportunity seems to present itself.
Is there anything too small to pray about? Do we, in fact, bother God when we make
any request that is not dealing with only the poor in Calcutta? Paul clearly tells us in
this passage that prayer is talking with God. It is having such a relationship with
Him that we can bring anything to His attention.
We've all heard the housewife's prayer for a parking spot or other such seemingly
trivial prayer requests, but are they trivial to God? If God is our closest and most
intimate friend, then it becomes very natural to talk to Him as you would a friend
who might be sitting next to you in the car. Yes, God desires to have such close
communion with you and me that we can pray about anything-even a parking spot.
As you enter the workplace today, ask a co-worker if you can pray for him about
something. You may be surprised at what doors will open as a result.
August 5, 2007
IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD,
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RICHES OF GOD.
( EPHESIANS 1:7 *NIV )
Now speaking of Jesus' blood is an important way
of speaking of Christ's death. For His death points to two
wonderful truths, forgiveness for, and the redemption from
our past sins.
In the Old Testament redemption was the price paid to
gain freedom for a slave. You will find that written in the
Book of ( LEVITICUS 25:47-54. ) Jesus' paid the price to
release us from slavery to sin, thus granting us Eternal
Life.
Now forgiveness was granted in the Old Testament on
the basis of the shedding of an animals' blood. A young
lamb without blemish was usually used for this. Now it
is written: FOR THE LIFE OF A CREATURE IS IN THE
BLOOD AND I HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU TO MAKE
ATONEMENT FOR YOURSELVES ON THE ALTAR; IT
IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKES ATONEMENT FOR ONES
LIFE. ( LEVITICUS 17:11 )
Therefore, WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST,
A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR DEFECT, Jesus
became the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our
old sinful ways! ( 1 PETER 1:19 )
Now that does not mean that we no longer must repent
of our sins. For we must continue to: REPENT, THEN,
AND TURN TO GOD, SO THAT OUR SINS MAY BE WIPED
OUT, THAT TIMES OF REFRESHING MAY COME FROM
THE LORD. Amen ( ACTS 3:19 )
August 4, 2007
I WILL CRY OUT TO GOD MOST HIGH, TO GOD WHO
PERFORMS ALL THINGS FOR ME. HE SHALL SEND FROM
HEAVEN AND SAVE ME.
( PSALM 57:2-3 *NKJV )
A member of our God's Minute family sent me the following
story. I hope that it will Minister to you as it has Ministered to
me. Now, the short story.
_________________________
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him,
and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed
forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his
few possessions. However one day, after scavenging for food,
he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke
rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened -everything was
lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you
do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound
of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to
be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at
work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God!
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has
a positive answer for it.
August 3, 2007
I WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD: HE TURNED TO ME
AND HEARD MY CRY.
( PSALM 40:1 *NIV )
Patience has become a lost art in this World of ours today.
We have come to expect instant answers and results with
everything, even including our prayers as an example. Now
another example is when we watch evil men commit crimes
or cheat others, and seem to get away with it.
Therefore we are to practice patience, knowing that God is
in Control, and God's justice will be served! So, BROTHERS,
AS AN EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE IN THE FACE OF
SUFFERING, TAKE THE PROPHETS WHO SPOKE IN THE
NAME OF THE LORD. AS YOU KNOW, WE CONSIDER
BLESSED THOSE WHO HAVE PERSEVERED. YOU HAVE
HEARD OF JOB'S PERSEVERANCE AND HAVE SEEN
WHAT THE LORD FINALLY BROUGHT ABOUT. THE LORD
IS FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY. ( JAMES 5:10-12 )
So, REST IN THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR
HIM; DO NOT FRET BECAUSE OF HIM WHO PROSPERS IN
HIS WAY, BECAUSE OF THE MAN WHO BRINGS WICKED
SCHEMES TO PASS. FOR EVILDOERS SHALL BE CUT OFF;
BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD, THEY SHALL
INHERIT THE EARTH. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE THE
WICKED SHALL BE NO MORE. ( PSALM 37:7 & 9-10 )
Therefore my friend, WAIT FOR THE LORD; BE STRONG
AND TAKE HEART AND WAIT FOR THE LORD. Amen.
( PSALM 27:14 )
August 2, 2007
The Door of Full Surrender
by Os Hillman, August 2, 2007
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- Job 23:10
I was recently sitting with the leader of a workplace organization as he described a
question he poses to workplace believers. "What if there were two doors to choose
from; behind one door was the complete will of God for your life and behind the
other door was how life could be according to your own preference. Which door would
you choose?" The struggle for most lies in the desire to follow God completely and
the fear of what might be behind the door of full surrender. Most of us desire to
follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost. We do not really believe that God
loves us to the degree that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as
He wills in us.
If we desire to fully walk with Christ, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent
and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to
Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity. The Bible is
clear that humans do not achieve greatness without having their sinful will broken.
This process is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit
change. The Bible calls it circumcision. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal.
If God has plans to greatly use you in the lives of others, you can expect your trials
to be even greater than those of others. Why? Because, like Joseph who went
through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such
responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your
complete faithfulness to the call. He has much invested in you on behalf of others.
He may want to speak through your life to a greater degree than through another.
The events of your life would become the frame for the message He wants to speak
through you.
Do not fear the path that God may lead you on. Embrace it. For God may bring you
down a path in your life to ensure the reward of your inheritance. "For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them
all" (2 Cor. 4:17)
August 1, 2007
Being a Vessel to Bless Others
by Os Hillman, August 1, 2007
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to
poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed. - Proverbs 11:24-25
One of the reasons God entrusts money to us is to bless other Christians by meeting
their needs. God uses the transfer of money within the Body of Christ to build unity
among Christians. Sometimes we withhold money that God has designated for
someone else. He wants to bless through us, but His will cannot be accomplished
through us if we are disobedient.
This was the case for a business owner who tells of the time when God told him to
forego a company bonus one year. God directed him to share his year-end bonus with
an employee to show his appreciation for him. He wrestled with God for three full
days before obeying the Lord on the matter. When he finally met with the employee
to give him his check, the man said he had been praying about a financial need he
had three days earlier. He had decided to borrow the money to meet his need. The
amount of money he borrowed was the exact amount the business owner gave him.
God had already planned to provide for the employee through the business owner,
but because he was hesitant, he almost missed the opportunity to be an instrument
of God in this man's life. Even so, he could have prevented the man from having to
borrow money. It was an important lesson for the business owner.
How many people do we let down because we feel the "harvest" God provides is all
ours? In America, the pressure is always on to move up the ladder of material
accumulation. Jesus warned us about this. If our focus is on accumulation, we will
not look for opportunities to be God's vessels of financial blessing to others. Ask the
Lord if you have an open hand when it comes to finances.
Motivations to Call
by Os Hillman, August 28, 2007
..."Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." - Mark 10:49
Do you recall the circumstances when God first called you into relationship with
Him? Were you in need of something? Were you in a crisis situation? Every day God
calls someone into relationship with Him through different circumstances. More
often than not, the circumstances relate to a need in their life that only God can
meet.
Bartimaeus had the need to see again. He was a poor blind beggar, who had heard
about Jesus and the miracles He had done. The crowds rebuked him for seeking
Jesus, yet he continued to cry out. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but
he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'...Throwing his cloak
aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus" (Mk. 10:48,50). That day,
Bartimaeus saw for the first time. But more than that, he saw with spiritual eyes for
the first time.
Each workday, we rub shoulders with someone who has not met this Jesus we know
personally. God uses needs to draw us to Himself. What need has He placed in a
coworker that only Christ can meet? Perhaps you are the instrument He wants to
use to introduce that person to Himself. It requires availability and a willingness to
look for people with needs, then point them to Christ to meet their needs. Pray for
divine appointments today.
August 18, 2007
The Response of Faith
by Os Hillman, August 18, 2007
..."Everything is all right".... - 2 Kings 4:26
The prophet Elisha often would travel through the town of Shunem, and in that town
was a well-to-do couple who extended hospitality to him. At first, they simply offered
Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to
stay and study, they built a room for him above their house so that each time he
came through town, he had a place to stay. He was so appreciative of their kindness
that one day he asked the wife what he could do for her. His servant Gehazi later
informed Elisha that the woman was barren and her husband was old. " 'About this
time next year,' Elisha said, 'you will hold a son in your arms' " (2 Kings 4:16). A
year later the son arrived.
One day the father was working in the field, and the son became ill and died. The
woman ran to meet Elisha to inform him. When Elisha asked what was wrong, she
did not panic and react in fear. Her response to Elisha seemed almost unnatural.
"Everything is all right," she said. Elisha went to the boy and raised him from the
dead. It was a glorious miracle. (See Second Kings 4.)
Faith looks at situations through God's eyes, not the eyes of our limited
understanding. This woman did not panic, for she knew something more than the
current circumstance. Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like
devastating circumstances may be God's plan to bring glory to Himself by
demonstrating His power. When Jesus appeared on the water to the disciples in the
middle of the night, they exclaimed, "It's a ghost!" (see Mt. 14:26) First appearances
can bring great fear upon us even to the point of paralyzing us. Find the Lord in your
circumstance today. Exercise your faith today and trust Him for His outcome in the
situation.
August 17, 2007
Mixing Faith With Commerce
by Os Hillman, August 17, 2007
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil." - 2 Kings 4:2b
Her husband had died. There was no way to fulfill her debts. Her creditors decided to
take her two sons as slaves for payment of the obligations that still remained. She
pleaded for assistance with the only man of God she knew.
"Is there anything in your house?" Elisha asked.
"Nothing at all," she said, "except a little oil."
Elisha then instructed her to go and collect all the empty jars that her neighbors
might possess. "Ask for as many as you can," he instructed.
When the jars were collected, he instructed her to pour what little oil she had into
the jars. The oil was more than enough to fill the jars. In fact, there was more oil
than jars to fill. "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on
what is left" (2 Kings 4:7b).
God often mixes faith with the tangible. The widow believed she had no resources to
meet her need. God said she had more than enough resources. She did not see the
one jar of oil as a resource. It did not become a resource until it was mixed with
faith. Her need was met when her faith was mixed with the practical step of going
into the workplace to sell what she had in order to receive her needed income. In
fact, there was so much income she was able to pay her debts and live on the money
derived from the sale.
Quite often we forget that God works through commerce to provide for our needs. It
is wrong to place total trust in commerce without faith in God. God often requires
simple obedience to an act that seems ridiculous to the logical mind. It is this faith
mixed with the practical that God honors.
Do you have a problem that is perplexing to you? Do you see no way of meeting your
need? God may have already given you the skills and talents to meet your need.
However, He may be waiting for you to mix them with faith. Ask God to show you
the steps necessary to solve your problem. Be willing to take the next step.
August 16, 2007
Rejected for Christ
by Os Hillman, August 16, 2007
And they took offense at Him.... - Matthew 13:57
Jesus taught in the synagogue in the community He grew up in. He was raised as a
local carpenter's son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy's life. But
something changed as He became older. "Where did this man get this wisdom and
these miraculous powers?" Those in the community could not reconcile God's work
in someone they thought they knew simply as the carpenter's son. God brings every
person who is committed to Him out of their normal routine into a new revelation of
Himself that impacts others.
Is the move of God so evident in your life that it invites scrutiny from friends or
coworkers? Jesus confronted the issues of His day without fear of being rejected. A
life of obedience will be an affront to the systems of this world. When God begins His
deeper work in you, it will be a stumbling block to those around you. When you are
rejected for Christ, consider that Christ is affirming His call on your life and you are
becoming a threat to the kingdom of darkness. How many of satan's workers do you
suppose have been assigned to thwart God's activity in your life? Those who sit in a
pew from week to week and never speak the name of Christ in the workplace
require few opponents because they represent no threat to the kingdom of darkness.
How are you impacting the kingdom of darkness? God has called you and me to
impact the lives around us for His Kingdom. Your words may be an affront to those
around you; do not fear this. God will use your words and life to draw others to
Himself. You are His ambassador in the workplace. He has placed you there for this
time to extend life to those who live in darkness.
August 15, 2007
Blameless
by Os Hillman, August 15, 2007
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good
thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. - Psalm 84:11
If you were running for political office, what approach would your opponent take
against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign, would there be any
ammunition for him to use? Think how you would feel if the director of the opposing
campaign came to you afterwards and said, "Sir, we tried to find something negative
to play up in our campaign against you, but we couldn't."
What does it really mean to be a person who is blameless before God? Being
blameless before God does not mean we are perfect. No human being is perfect. It
means that we so fully trust in God that we are willing to make things right when we
fail. We are willing to humble ourselves continually before the throne of God. "...
Blessed is the man who trusts in You" (Psalm 84:12). God has a specific plan for the
people who fully trust in Him. He promises to be their shield, to bestow honor on
them. He will not withhold any good thing from them. What a promise! What
motivation to be all that we can be in God.
Imagine living a life that God views as blameless, which allows Him to withhold no
good thing. Pray that God would make you and me that kind of person.
August 14, 2007
Things I Cannot Understand
by Os Hillman, August 14, 2007
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. -
Job 42:3b
If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God's love, it was Job.
He lost his family, his health, and his wealth-all at the same time. His friends came
to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of
his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as "blameless and
upright" (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged
God's right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He
questioned God's motives.
God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a
series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God
to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the
motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his
Creator and realized his total depravity. "Surely I spoke of things I did not
understand, things too wonderful for me to know."
Have you ever questioned God's activity in your life? Have you questioned His love
for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers
the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the
only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be
understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time
when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace
Him in the hard times and the good.
August 13, 2007
The Faithfulness of God
by Os Hillman, August 13, 2007
The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord
upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. - Psalm 145:13b-14
Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you
could depend on that person to do what he said. You learned that his word was
completely trustworthy. If he said he would call you, he would. If he said he'd be
somewhere at a certain time, he'd be there. In fact, if he was late, you began to
wonder if he had an accident because it was so contrary to his nature. It's great to
have friends who are faithful.
God is faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise in His Word. Sometimes we
think God isn't faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have.
Sometimes we think He is not faithful because of a crisis event that seems to say
God isn't faithful. We must remember that God is more concerned about
accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the
desires of our heart. Sometimes this results in hardship.
The Bible is full of accounts of God's faithfulness that was often accompanied by
hardship. He brought Joseph out of slavery to be greatly used in a nation. He
delivered the people from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave
Abraham the son of promise late in his life. He delivered David from his enemies
and made him a king. In story upon story, we learn of God's faithfulness.
Are you a faithful man or woman? The workplace needs faithful men and women.
Take an inventory of your life today and ask God if you have been faithful with what
He has entrusted to you.
August 12, 2007
Business as Ministry
by Os Hillman, August 12, 2007
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
The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life is to reflect Christ in and
through our lives. It is an attitude that says our work is to have an overriding
"ministry" objective to it. Our work is our worship to God. These two words even
originate from the same Hebrew word, avodah.
Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885 but grew up in New Zealand. Born to
Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw
began working in a hardware merchant company as a traveling sales representative
when he was 19. Later he had the idea for a mail-order catalogue business that sold
everything imaginable including underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm
equipment, all at bargain-basement prices. His concept proved successful and his
business later merged with the Farmer's Union Trading Company. He became
general manager and held that position for 50 years.
But this is not the most significant thing that can be said about Robert Laidlaw. He
understood that his work life was a tool to affect others for Jesus Christ. He began
giving ten percent of his income early in his business life. Later, however, he
entered this into his journal: "September 1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to
change my earlier graduated scale, and start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my
earnings." This he continued for the next 60 years. [John Woodbridge, ed., More
Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 351.]
The result of that commitment was countless numbers affected for Jesus Christ
through the resources he gave to mission groups and other worthy Christian causes.
He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote a small book that gave a thoughtful
answer to basic questions about life and faith. It was titled The Reason. Many
hundreds of thousands came to faith in Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He
publicly spoke to many of his faith in Christ and became very involved in the
Soldier's and Airmen's Association when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw
understood what it meant to view business with an overriding ministry objective.
Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If so, you will be able to see your
work life as an extension of His life in you. Let the Lord live in and through your
work life today.
August 11, 2007
Reflecting His Glory
by Os Hillman, August 11, 2007
They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men
may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. - Psalm
145:11-12
How do you measure your effectiveness in God, or should you even be thinking like
this? The early Church turned the world upside down in that first century. What
made them so effective? Was it their theology? Was it great preaching? Was it due
to one man's influence apart from Jesus?
The Scriptures are clear as to what made the early Church effective. It is at the core
of God's heart, and it is quite simple. God desires to reflect His nature and power
through every individual. When this happens, the world is automatically changed
because those who reflect His glory affect the world.
We serve a jealous God. He is a God who will not share His glory with anyone. God
sets up situations in order to demonstrate His power through them. He has done this
since the day He created man. His desire is to reflect His glory through you and me,
so that all men may know of His mighty acts and the glorious splendor of His
Kingdom.
The apostle Paul understood this principle: "My message and my preaching were not
with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so
that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor. 2:4-5).
If you do not see His glory being reflected through your life, then you need to ask
why. He has promised to do so if we will walk in obedience to His commands.
August 10, 2007
Waiting on God
by Os Hillman, August 10, 2007
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the
Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! - Isaiah 30:18
Have you ever noticed that God is not in a hurry? It took 40 years for Moses to
receive his commission to lead the people out of Egypt. It took 17 years of
preparation before Joseph was delivered from slavery and imprisonment. It took 20
years before Jacob was released from Laban's control. Abraham and Sarah were in
their old age when they finally received the son of promise, Isaac. So why isn't God
in a hurry?
God called each of these servants to accomplish a certain task in His Kingdom, yet
He was in no hurry to bring their mission into fulfillment. First, He accomplished
what He wanted in them. We are often more focused on outcome than the process
that He is accomplishing in our lives each day. When we experience His presence
daily, one day we wake up and realize that God has done something special in and
through our lives. However, the accomplishment is no longer what excites us.
Instead, what excites us is knowing Him. Through those times, we become more
acquainted with His love, grace, and power in our lives. When this happens, we are
no longer focused on the outcome because the outcome is a result of our walk with
Him. It is not the goal of our walk, but the by-product. Hence, when Joseph came to
power in Egypt, he probably couldn't have cared less. He had come to a place of
complete surrender so that he was not anxious about tomorrow or his circumstances.
This is the lesson for us. We must wait for God's timing and embrace wherever we
are in the process. When we find contentment in that place, we begin to experience
God in ways we never thought possible.
August 9, 2007
Being a Shelter for Those in Need
by Os Hillman, August 7, 2007
Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like
streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. -
Isaiah 32:2
Have you ever walked in a dry, hot climate for an extended time? The sun beats
down, sweat begins to pour off your brow, and your throat and mouth are parched
with thirst. A little shade, a slight breeze, or a cool drink becomes the greatest thing
one could value at the moment.
When you and I walk with Christ in the workplace, we become that kind of oasis for
non-Christians. However, they may not recognize it at the time. Let's face it, the
workplace is pretty tough, especially when Christ is not in the center of it.
When a person becomes aware of their need of Christ through you or me, we have
become a shelter from the wind. We become their refuge from the storms of life.
Someone once said that you and I might be the only Bible someone ever reads, so we
need to be something worth reading. Are you available to be that shelter for a non-
believing friend? If so, then you may open the eyes of someone who has been blind
his whole life. What an incredible blessing to know you were the instrument God
used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God.
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who
hear will listen (Isaiah 32:3).
August 8, 2007
Embracing the Mess
by Os Hillman, August 8, 2007
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox
comes an abundant harvest. - Proverbs 14:4
My wife and I run together through a new home subdivision. Often we see the street
filled with red clay from the land as bulldozers clear it to lay a foundation. The job
site is littered with lumber, all sorts of trash from workers, and is generally a mess.
The house looks ugly; it has all its insides exposed as it is being pieced together, yet
this process is necessary to get to the finished product. When completed, the home is
beautiful. The landscaping looks like it came out of a home-design magazine.
Everything is clean and perfect in order for the new homeowner to move in.
Our walk with God is much the same process. Often we must go through a messy
period of our lives in which all aspects of it are in disarray. It is in these times that
God builds a new structure. He might remove some structural timbers in our lives
and replace them with new ones. He might even add on another room. And unless
this process takes place, we will never see the end product. The goal is more
Christlikeness. In order to achieve this in us, He requires a period of removing all
that is not of Him. It can be a painful process.
It would be impossible to keep oxen in a barn without having to clean up the mess
from time to time. It just comes with the territory, but the result of the oxen is an
abundant harvest. God may be allowing a mess in order to ensure a fruitful harvest
in your life. Learn from Him so that you might experience the fulfillment of His
purposes for you in these times.
August 7, 2007
The Causes of Failure
by Os Hillman, August 7, 2007
You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it. - Joshua 7:13b
The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once
they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and
Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the
enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory.
They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that
should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was
devastated. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the
Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?" (Josh. 7:7a)
In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had
set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle.
However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire
nation for one man's sin.
Whenever we act without God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God
to thwart our plans. God's word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his
enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.
Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no
unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort:
unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits,
dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises.
These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God
wants to bless, but cannot because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His
name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.
Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and
clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure
the blessing of God today.
August 6, 2007
"May I Pray for You?"
by Os Hillman, August 6, 2007
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6
I walked into the office. The secretary seemed physically struggling with her
breathing and her countenance was different than normal.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Allergies," she replied. "Sometimes it gets so bad I can hardly breathe."
"May I pray for you?" I asked.
"Oh, I don't want to take up His time with something as menial as me. I'd rather
not waste it on me. You should pray for someone much less fortunate than me. My
mother always taught us to pray at the dinner table for those less fortunate than
us," she replied. The woman was touched that I would offer to pray for her.
The next day I told her my prayer group was praying for her. She could not believe
that I would do such a thing for her.
It is interesting what happens when you offer to pray for someone. Offering to pray
for someone can be the most genuine and loving thing you can do for another
person. It can be the one means of getting a conversation on a spiritual plane that
cuts across religious stigmas and gets to the root of the problem-the person's real
need. It immediately reveals your own values and sets the stage for future
encounters. All it takes is a little holy boldness to step through the door when the
opportunity seems to present itself.
Is there anything too small to pray about? Do we, in fact, bother God when we make
any request that is not dealing with only the poor in Calcutta? Paul clearly tells us in
this passage that prayer is talking with God. It is having such a relationship with
Him that we can bring anything to His attention.
We've all heard the housewife's prayer for a parking spot or other such seemingly
trivial prayer requests, but are they trivial to God? If God is our closest and most
intimate friend, then it becomes very natural to talk to Him as you would a friend
who might be sitting next to you in the car. Yes, God desires to have such close
communion with you and me that we can pray about anything-even a parking spot.
As you enter the workplace today, ask a co-worker if you can pray for him about
something. You may be surprised at what doors will open as a result.
August 5, 2007
IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD,
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RICHES OF GOD.
( EPHESIANS 1:7 *NIV )
Now speaking of Jesus' blood is an important way
of speaking of Christ's death. For His death points to two
wonderful truths, forgiveness for, and the redemption from
our past sins.
In the Old Testament redemption was the price paid to
gain freedom for a slave. You will find that written in the
Book of ( LEVITICUS 25:47-54. ) Jesus' paid the price to
release us from slavery to sin, thus granting us Eternal
Life.
Now forgiveness was granted in the Old Testament on
the basis of the shedding of an animals' blood. A young
lamb without blemish was usually used for this. Now it
is written: FOR THE LIFE OF A CREATURE IS IN THE
BLOOD AND I HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU TO MAKE
ATONEMENT FOR YOURSELVES ON THE ALTAR; IT
IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKES ATONEMENT FOR ONES
LIFE. ( LEVITICUS 17:11 )
Therefore, WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST,
A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR DEFECT, Jesus
became the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our
old sinful ways! ( 1 PETER 1:19 )
Now that does not mean that we no longer must repent
of our sins. For we must continue to: REPENT, THEN,
AND TURN TO GOD, SO THAT OUR SINS MAY BE WIPED
OUT, THAT TIMES OF REFRESHING MAY COME FROM
THE LORD. Amen ( ACTS 3:19 )
August 4, 2007
I WILL CRY OUT TO GOD MOST HIGH, TO GOD WHO
PERFORMS ALL THINGS FOR ME. HE SHALL SEND FROM
HEAVEN AND SAVE ME.
( PSALM 57:2-3 *NKJV )
A member of our God's Minute family sent me the following
story. I hope that it will Minister to you as it has Ministered to
me. Now, the short story.
_________________________
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him,
and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed
forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his
few possessions. However one day, after scavenging for food,
he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke
rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened -everything was
lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you
do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound
of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to
be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at
work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God!
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has
a positive answer for it.
August 3, 2007
I WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD: HE TURNED TO ME
AND HEARD MY CRY.
( PSALM 40:1 *NIV )
Patience has become a lost art in this World of ours today.
We have come to expect instant answers and results with
everything, even including our prayers as an example. Now
another example is when we watch evil men commit crimes
or cheat others, and seem to get away with it.
Therefore we are to practice patience, knowing that God is
in Control, and God's justice will be served! So, BROTHERS,
AS AN EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE IN THE FACE OF
SUFFERING, TAKE THE PROPHETS WHO SPOKE IN THE
NAME OF THE LORD. AS YOU KNOW, WE CONSIDER
BLESSED THOSE WHO HAVE PERSEVERED. YOU HAVE
HEARD OF JOB'S PERSEVERANCE AND HAVE SEEN
WHAT THE LORD FINALLY BROUGHT ABOUT. THE LORD
IS FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY. ( JAMES 5:10-12 )
So, REST IN THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR
HIM; DO NOT FRET BECAUSE OF HIM WHO PROSPERS IN
HIS WAY, BECAUSE OF THE MAN WHO BRINGS WICKED
SCHEMES TO PASS. FOR EVILDOERS SHALL BE CUT OFF;
BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD, THEY SHALL
INHERIT THE EARTH. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE THE
WICKED SHALL BE NO MORE. ( PSALM 37:7 & 9-10 )
Therefore my friend, WAIT FOR THE LORD; BE STRONG
AND TAKE HEART AND WAIT FOR THE LORD. Amen.
( PSALM 27:14 )
August 2, 2007
The Door of Full Surrender
by Os Hillman, August 2, 2007
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- Job 23:10
I was recently sitting with the leader of a workplace organization as he described a
question he poses to workplace believers. "What if there were two doors to choose
from; behind one door was the complete will of God for your life and behind the
other door was how life could be according to your own preference. Which door would
you choose?" The struggle for most lies in the desire to follow God completely and
the fear of what might be behind the door of full surrender. Most of us desire to
follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost. We do not really believe that God
loves us to the degree that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as
He wills in us.
If we desire to fully walk with Christ, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent
and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to
Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity. The Bible is
clear that humans do not achieve greatness without having their sinful will broken.
This process is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit
change. The Bible calls it circumcision. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal.
If God has plans to greatly use you in the lives of others, you can expect your trials
to be even greater than those of others. Why? Because, like Joseph who went
through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such
responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your
complete faithfulness to the call. He has much invested in you on behalf of others.
He may want to speak through your life to a greater degree than through another.
The events of your life would become the frame for the message He wants to speak
through you.
Do not fear the path that God may lead you on. Embrace it. For God may bring you
down a path in your life to ensure the reward of your inheritance. "For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them
all" (2 Cor. 4:17)
August 1, 2007
Being a Vessel to Bless Others
by Os Hillman, August 1, 2007
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to
poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed. - Proverbs 11:24-25
One of the reasons God entrusts money to us is to bless other Christians by meeting
their needs. God uses the transfer of money within the Body of Christ to build unity
among Christians. Sometimes we withhold money that God has designated for
someone else. He wants to bless through us, but His will cannot be accomplished
through us if we are disobedient.
This was the case for a business owner who tells of the time when God told him to
forego a company bonus one year. God directed him to share his year-end bonus with
an employee to show his appreciation for him. He wrestled with God for three full
days before obeying the Lord on the matter. When he finally met with the employee
to give him his check, the man said he had been praying about a financial need he
had three days earlier. He had decided to borrow the money to meet his need. The
amount of money he borrowed was the exact amount the business owner gave him.
God had already planned to provide for the employee through the business owner,
but because he was hesitant, he almost missed the opportunity to be an instrument
of God in this man's life. Even so, he could have prevented the man from having to
borrow money. It was an important lesson for the business owner.
How many people do we let down because we feel the "harvest" God provides is all
ours? In America, the pressure is always on to move up the ladder of material
accumulation. Jesus warned us about this. If our focus is on accumulation, we will
not look for opportunities to be God's vessels of financial blessing to others. Ask the
Lord if you have an open hand when it comes to finances.