My Weakness Will Shape My Witness to the World

In Philippians 1:12 I read, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.” (NLT)

My witness to the world will come out of my weaknesses, not my strengths.

A lot of people have it backwards: They think the world is impressed by Christians’ prosperity. That doesn’t impress the world. They see that everywhere! What impresses non-believers is how I as a believer handle adversity, not prosperity.

My suffering, not my success, gives me credibility. My faithfulness, not my fame, earns respect.

The apostle Paul was a pro at using his pain as a witness. He wrote from a prison dungeon in Rome, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News” (Philippians 1:12 NLT).

Paul used his pain to model the message God had given him. While he was chained in prison, he wrote letters to the church that became part of the New Testament.

Paul said, “In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God” (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT). That includes how I handle pain, failure, defeat, problems, mistakes, sin, and all of the bad things that happen in my life.

It doesn’t take God’s power to handle good; anybody can handle good. It takes God’s power to patiently endure.

The world doesn’t have a good answer for how to endure. But as a follower of Christ I need to patiently endure suffering, hardship, and trouble of every kind as it’s a way to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus.

My deepest ministry will come out of my deepest hurt, and my deepest life message will come out of my deepest pain.

In every area of your life where I’ve had pain, I have a testimony. How will I use it to help bring others from despair to fullness of life in Christ?

In summary, everything that happens to me can help to spread the Good News. My witness to the world will come out of my weaknesses, and not my strengths. What impresses non-believers is how I, as a believer handle adversity, not prosperity. My suffering, not my success will give me credibility. My faithfulness, not my fame, will help earn respect. Paul used his pain to model the message God had given him. In everything I do, I am to show that I am a true minister of God, in how I handle pain, failure, defeat, problems, mistakes, sin, and all of the bad things that happen in my life. It takes God’s power to patiently endure. The world doesn’t have a good answer for how to endure. But as a follower of Christ I need to patiently endure suffering, hardship, and trouble of every kind as it’s a way to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus. My deepest ministry will come out of my deepest hurt, and my deepest life message will come out of my deepest pain. So consider how I will use it to help bring others from despair to fullness of life in Christ.

God uses everything for his good. I may not always know why, but he will take it to build me and use it to model to the world what he can do. No matter what happens, My Father and Jesus will always be there to see me through it. God wants to use me to help bring about this kingdom and I am grateful for this. Father I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask this through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.

Stop Quarrels with Humility and Grace

In James 4:6-7 I read, “‘God is against the proud, but he gives his grace to the humble.’ So give yourselves completely to God.” (NCV)

Because of the COVID-19 quarantine, many families have the opportunity to spend more time together. But that also means there is an increased chance they will get on each other’s nerves. Let’s be honest, even when we love someone dearly, constant, close proximity can lead to friction. And it’s often because of pride.

In my own life, there are times when I’ve been so prideful that I couldn’t compromise on something, even though I knew I should have. There have also been times when I was in an argument where I knew I was wrong but just couldn’t admit it. I am full of pride, and that’s why I have conflict in my life.

“‘God is against the proud, but he gives his grace to the humble.’ So give yourselves completely to God” (James 4:6-7 NCV).

God declares war on pride, ego, arrogance, and selfishness. Any time pride rears its head I’m on the opposite side of God.

God doesn’t look at pride and just say, “Oh, that’s a little petty.” He openly opposes people who are prideful. God declares war on ego.

You may have already noticed this, but God has a unique way of engineering circumstances that deflate your ego. It’s dangerous to be in opposition to God. When I’m on a collision course with the Creator of the universe, I’m going to lose.

If pride causes quarrels, then that means the opposite is true, too. Humility can stop quarrels. The cure for quarrels is humility. Every time I’m humble, I will get along better with others.

James 4 says God gives grace to the humble. Grace is the power to change. If you want to stop the fighting in your life, then you need grace. And there’s only one way to get grace: Be humble. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

So I need to humble myself, and then give myself completely to God.

Giving myself completely to God means I’ve surrendered everything to him, including my pride. Humble myself so that I can experience freedom from quarreling and conflict.

In summary, God is against the proud, but he will give grace to the humble. So it’s best to give myself completely to God. Any constant or close proximity to others can lead to friction. And it’s often because of pride on my part. There are times when I’ve been so prideful that I couldn’t compromise or times when I was in an argument where I knew I was wrong but just couldn’t admit it. Naturally I am full of pride, and that’s why I have conflict in my life. God declares war on pride, ego, arrogance, and selfishness. Any time pride rears its head in my life, I’ll be on the opposite side of God. God doesn’t look at pride and just say, “Oh, that’s a little petty.” He openly opposes people who are prideful. God has a unique way of engineering circumstances that deflate your ego. So it’s dangerous to be in opposition to God. So if pride causes quarrels, then that means the opposite is true, that humility can stop quarrels. James 4 says God gives grace to the humble and grace is the power to change. There’s only one way to get grace and it's to be humble. God will resist the proud but give grace to the humble. So I need to humble myself, and then give myself completely to God. Giving myself completely means I’ve surrendered everything to him, including my pride. 

Father you have re-emphasised the benefits of being humble. I want to live my life with integrity, humility and generosity. I ask for help from the Holy Spirit to remind me of this as I face everything in life. I ask you today for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I will trust in you to provide my future job role. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Only God Can Meet All My Needs

In James 4:2 I read, “You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.” (NLT)

One of the biggest causes of quarreling is that I expect people to fill needs in my life that only God can fulfill. This is often most obvious in marriage, but it’s true in every relationship. I find people I can trust and who know me well. So I start looking to them to keep me emotionally and spiritually fulfilled.

It’s common for people to get married and think their spouse should and will meet all their needs. After all, you complete each other, right? But that’s just unrealistic, unfair, and only setting you up for massive frustration? My spouse, best friend or co-workers are not God. None of them know me like God does. None of them can provide for me like he can. They are broken human beings, just like me!

It’s time to change my expectations so my frustration doesn’t lead to more conflict and quarreling in relationships.

So, what should I do instead of looking to someone else to fulfill every emotional, spiritual, and physical need I have? I should pray about it.

“You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it” (James 4:2 NLT).

When I expect others to meet my needs instead of God, it leads to frustration. And frustration leads to quarreling. If I’m not praying and asking God to provide for my needs, then I’m going to spend more time quarreling. If I’m not praying about it, I’m fighting over it. I don’t have because I haven’t asked God for it!

When I have a need, go to God first. He already knows what I need, and he’s ready to give it to me. I just have to ask.

In summary, I don't have what I want because I’m not asking God for it. One of the biggest causes of quarreling is that I expect others to fill needs in my life that only God can fulfill. I look to them to keep me emotionally and spiritually fulfilled. My spouse, best friend or co-workers are not God. None of them know me like God does. None of them can provide for me like he can. They are broken, just like me! So change my expectations so my frustration doesn’t lead to more conflict and quarreling. Instead of looking to someone else to fulfill every emotional, spiritual, and physical need. I should pray about it. If I’m not praying about it, I’m likely fighting over it. I don’t have because I haven’t asked God for it! So when I have a need, I should go to God first. He already knows what I need, and he’s ready to give it to me. I just have to ask.

Thank you Father for this reminder. You are the only one who can provide for my deepest needs. I should look to you and not others to fulfill it. Praying about it will help me clarify what I want, bring my thoughts more in alignment with you and allow you to work in my life. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with you. Help me to accomplish some technical tasks that are continuing to happen. I pray and put my trust in you for my future job opportunities. I ask these things through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Plan for Tomorrow but Live for Today

In Matthew 6:34 I read, “Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)

The good thing about the future is that it doesn’t hit me all at once. If I had my entire life thrown at me at one time, it would no doubt be overwhelming. So God gives it to me in bite-size, 24-hour segments.

Since God gives me only one day at a time, that’s how he expects me to approach my life. Live one day at a time, and make it count.

Jesus taught: “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34 NLT).

Jesus is saying to stop borrowing trouble. If there’s something happening next week, why am I messing up today by worrying about it?

Worry can’t change the past. It can’t control the future. Worry only makes me miserable today.

God gives me all the grace I need but just enough for today, every day. He doesn’t stockpile all that power in your life and give it to you for the next week or month. He says to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” He wants me to take life one day at a time.

When I don’t know what the future holds, I can still take life one day at a time. That’s all I’m meant to do!

When everything is uncertain and I don’t know how to make wise decisions for the future, then just take care of today. God doesn’t want me to worry about tomorrow, but he also doesn’t want me to presume about it, either. It’s important to plan, pray, and trust God for the future. But God still expects me to put my energy into making today count.

A great way to do this, especially during the pandemic, is to reduce my media intake. Focus instead on the things God loves and cares about, like your spiritual growth and caring for people who need help right now. That’s how I’ll make the day count.

“Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow” (Proverbs 27:1 The Message). When everything else in life seems unclear, this is about as clear as you can get.

Plan for tomorrow but live for today. God will give me everything I need to be obedient in both.

In summary, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. If I had my entire life thrown at me at one time, it would be overwhelming. So God gives it to me in 24-hour segments. That’s how he expects me to approach my life. Live one day at a time, and make it count. Jesus is saying to stop borrowing trouble. If there’s something happening next week, why am I messing up today by worrying about it? Worry on my part can’t change the past and It can’t control the future. Worry only makes me miserable today. God gives me all the grace I need but just enough for today. He says to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Take life one day at a time. When I don’t know what the future holds, life one day at a time. That’s all I’m meant to do! It’s important to plan, pray, and trust God for the future. But God still expects me to put my energy into making today count. Focus instead on the things God loves and cares about, like my spiritual growth and caring for people who need help. That’s how I’ll make the day count. Plan for tomorrow but live for today. God will give me everything I need to be obedient in both.

One thing that I can’t control, that has been causing some stress in my life, is knowing that my current job will be ending soon and I don’t have anything lined up when it does. This is taking a certain amount of energy. As I have learned in this study/devotional, I should pray and plan for the future but live for today. Father with the help of your Holy Spirit I will do this and also trust in you for my future. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this in your son Jesus’ name, amen.

Who Controls My Future?

In Romans 8:28 it says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)

One of the greatest fears I’ll face in this life, is the fear of the future. I fear for the future of my family, friends, job, community, and everything else in between.

It’s natural. I’m not in control. But that realization should drive me to trust God more deeply.

I might not be in control of my future, but God is. He created the whole universe. If he wanted to, the Lord could just snap it out of existence in a moment. Yet he is working towards his plan in history. He is moving history to a climax, a destiny. One day Jesus Christ will come back to Earth. Nothing will stop that.

Just as God is working in history to move events toward a particular moment, he works in my life for a purpose, as long as I let him.

The Bible says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

God’s Word doesn’t say that everything is good. It also doesn’t say that God causes everything. He doesn’t cause war. He doesn’t cause cancer. He doesn’t cause rape, abuse, or molestation. He doesn’t cause evil. People do that. God gives people the freedom to choose. Evil is the price of that freedom.

But the Bible does say that God causes everything to work together for good. He can take the dumb, evil, and bad decisions I’ve made in life and use them for good if I’ll trust him. Romans 8:28 isn’t a promise for everyone, though. It’s for “those who love God.” It’s for those who trust God and say, “Here, Lord, take all the broken pieces of my life and put them together.”

This is why, when I read the headlines each day, I don’t worry. Sure, there are a lot of problems in the world today, but God is still in control. God is still moving history to a climax. And God is still moving his people toward his best for them. One day God will work everything out for his purpose.

Because God is in control, I can trust him with everything, including the good, the bad, and the ugly of my life.

In summary, God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose, One of the greatest fears I’ll face in this life, is the fear of the future. It’s natural because I’m not in control. While I might not be in control of my future, God is. He is working towards his plan in history, moving it to a climax. One day Jesus Christ will come back. As long as I let him God works in my life for a purpose. God’s Word doesn’t say that everything is good. It also doesn’t say that God causes everything. God gives people the freedom to choose and evil is the price of that freedom. God will cause everything to work together for good. He can take the dumb, evil, and bad decisions I’ve made in life and use them for good if I’ll trust him.One day God will work everything out for his purpose. Because God is in control, I can trust him with everything.

Father as I reflect, it’s comforting to know that you are in control and that I can trust you for my own good and well being. In the past you have taken things and worked them for my good. Even though I don’t know what the future holds, you do and in my commitment to you, you will do your will through me. Given this I will put my trust in you for my next job role. I pray also for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask this through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.