Give People Hope
Everybody needs hope. Nearly every person we encounter today is facing a difficult, if not desperate situation.
Jesus was a new voice, a relatively unknown man, until the miracles began. Once people began to be healed and delivered, word spread and the crowds multiplied.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. (Mark 1:32-33 ESV)
As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I have been entrusted the power and privilege to carry on the ministry that Jesus began. Jesus deputized me to “lay hands on the sick, raise the dead, proclaim the good news of salvation,” etc.
The world seems to be more desperate than ever in history. That’s why I must be a beacon of hope.
Freely I have received, now I must freely give.
Today you and I will have several opportunities to give people hope. Instead of passing by those opportunities, let’s be like the Good Samaritan, who considered it his responsibility to help someone in need.
Father,
Use me today to bring hope to somebody.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Three Warnings for Leaders
Although leadership has its privileges, it comes with a unique set of challenges.
Within a period of just a few hours the Apostle Paul faced three challenges that provide warnings to spiritual leaders today.
When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. (Acts 28:3-6 ESV)
Three Warnings for Leaders:
1. Leaders will suffer personal wounds, but they don’t have to prove fatal.
Paul was bitten by a viper. And leaders will occasionally get bitten, too. But Paul shook off the viper, showing us the importance of allowing faith to triumph over the attacks of the enemy.
Leader- your current disappointment does not have to be the death of you. Rise up! Shake off the viper (a picture of the devil), and let that test be turned into a testimony!
2. Leaders will be misunderstood and poorly spoken of.
Paul, having been bitten by the viper, was then assumed to be a criminal getting his just dues of punishment. People make judgments based on limited perspective, and their conclusions are often wrong or incomplete.
Leader- the sooner you stop defending yourself the more effective you will be. Sure, there are a few “speak-first, think-later” people whose words seem to hinder your leadership; but time is the proving ground of wisdom. Stay the course. Time will tell the truth.
3. Leaders will be elevated to pedestals and lured by pride.
The same people who once assumed Paul to be a criminal now concluded that he was a god! People will see the anointing of the Holy Spirit at work in a leader, then see them as super-humans!
Leader- you’re not as bad as your worst critic says you are, but neither are you as good as your greatest fan proclaims. Guard your heart against the seeds of pride that can so easily be planted in your soul. It’s a set up. Only God deserves the glory for the mighty works He does through you.
Leadership has wonderful privileges, but comes with a unique set of challenges.
Father,
Let me be found a faithful leader in Your kingdom! And may every leader reading these words walk with wisdom and discernment, so that we can influence people toward Jesus, despite the schemes of the enemy.
Amen.
Five Characteristics of a Reasonable Believer
And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (Acts 17:2 ESV)
Unreasonable people weary me. Unreasonable Christians concern me.
Christianity is not merely a “feeling” religion, it is a dynamic relationship that engages my mind and will, as much as my emotions.
Although my faith in Christ is a spiritual reality, its implications and applications touch spirit, soul, and body.
Paul came to the city of Thessalonica and reasoned with the people regarding Jesus Christ. His approach, although candid, was always courteous.
Have you ever had someone tell you correct information, but they did it with a snide attitude? It makes you want to dismiss their information, altogether – despite its accuracy.
I wonder how many people have been offended by the messengers of Christ, and have, as a result, refused the message itself.
A tremendous resource to me is a Christian apologist by the name of Ravi Zacharias. His ministry (RZIM.org) exists to “help the thinker believe, and to help the believer think.” What a brilliant concept!
As believers, we should be able to reasonably articulate and defend the basics of our beliefs. Although we may not consider ourselves theologians, the world is depending on us to know and share the truth.
What are the characteristics of a reasonable believer?
1. A reasonable believer thinks his way through his beliefs, not merely feeling his way through them.
2. A reasonable believer respects the people who disagree with her, and challenges their positions without condescending their person.
3. A reasonable believer is willing to be proven wrong. The quest is for truth, not winning an argument.
4. A reasonable person knows what he knows and is aware that he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. Humility is a mark of a reasonable believer.
5. A reasonable believer is submitted to the absolute truth of God’s Word, not merely to a doctrine, tradition, or preference.
Father,
Help me to be a respected, reasonable man, so that your truth can be revealed to me, and through me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Privilege of Sharing the Message of Jesus
“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. (Acts 13:26 ESV)
I was reminded yesterday of a significant assignment I have been entrusted – to share the message of Jesus with other people.
It is easy to get in a routine of “receiving” from God, while inadvertently forgetting to “give” away what I have freely received!
Having been sent out by the church, Paul and Barnabas found themselves in Antioch of Pisidia (modern day Southern Turkey) in a synagogue, declaring the message of Jesus Christ.
In his message, Paul boldly declares, “to us has been sent the message of this salvation.”
God gave Israel first priority to receive salvation through Jesus. Paul’s practice in his missionary journeys was to go first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Beyond that, God gave Israel the privilege to be the first to share that message of salvation to the world. Peter stood boldly on the Day of Pentecost and declared to the nations of the world that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Today, I have been given these same privileges! The message of Jesus Christ has been given TO me, so that I can receive every benefit of salvation, healing, deliverance, and victory!
But this message has also been entrusted by God to be conveyed THROUGH me to everyone I touch.
How beautiful are the feet of those who BRING good news.
Father,
Having received the salvation of Jesus Christ, I am honored to share that message with the world. Freely I have received, now I freely give.
Grant me wisdom, opportunity, and boldness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Are You Refreshed Today?
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, (Acts 3:19-20 ESV)
We all need times of refreshing! Financial concerns, health issues, relational tensions, job stresses – these things can weigh us down and leave us drained of energy and enthusiasm for life.
Beyond these natural issues, there is a spiritual realm that must also be considered. How is your relationship with the Lord?
Peter and John had just witnessed (and participated in) a miracle – a lame man was now dancing and leaping with joy from being healed! But some were skeptical.
Peter addressed the skeptics and encouraged them to experience the kind of refreshing that can only come through Jesus Christ.
The keys to being refreshed, according to Peter, are repentance and the presence of God.
Repentance liberates the soul. It’s the deliberate act of not allowing yourself to get away with sin. It involves confession both to God and appropriate people, as well as a conscious turning away to a life of right-living.
The presence of God becomes a reality as we seek Him sincerely through prayer and worship. Spending quality time in God’s presence provides us with joy and strength!
Are you refreshed today?
Perhaps an inventory of your heart may reveal areas that need to be confessed. Or maybe you need some time with Jesus. He is never far away, and always accessible.
Father,
Today I pray for times of refreshing from the presence of God!
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Dale Jenkins 