Category Archives: Christianity

December 15 – Best Boss Ever

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Colossians; Philemon

Do you like your job? Your answer to that question might depend on the work itself, whether it’s challenging or rewarding. It might have to do with the hours you put in, your coworkers, your boss, your salary and benefits.

In my 37 years in public education I can say there were times I loved my job, other times. not so much. For me, my outlook had a lot to do with who the superintendent and/or principal was at the time.

And there’s the rub. I was working for the wrong boss.

Colossians 3:23-24:

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

I always prepared my best lesson to teach the day I knew my principal was going to observe me. But what about the other days, when God was doing the observation?

You, too, might put your best foot forward when your boss is within earshot. What about when the boss is away?

Here’s a suggestion. Do your job as though your Heavenly Boss had clipboard in hand, looking over your shoulder. The difference between this Boss and any human boss I’ve ever had is that God loves us absolutely. He wants us to do well at our jobs so that we represent Him in a positive light. He wants us to be successful so that people will recognize Him in our lives. He wants us to demonstrate His joy, His love, His honesty to our coworkers every day.

I believe that if we go to our jobs every day knowing that we are working for the Lord, we’ll have a better attitude, we’ll enjoy the days more, we’ll do our best work, which might be noticed by our earthly bosses and coworkers, and probably make our jobs so much better.

God gives us the ability to be the workers He wants us to be. He truly is the best boss EVER!

December 14 – Get Out There

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Acts 27-28

These chapters are the final accounts of Paul’s missionary journies. The man had endured beatings and stonings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, opposition, and rejection. But he also saw many people come to believe in Jesus, he started and supported churches, and he talked to world leaders about the Lord.

Paul had been radically changed after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He lived the rest of his life with the singular goal of sharing the Gospel with everyone he met.

In Bible study yesterday, we talked about Jesus’ commission to us to go into the world and tell people about Him. Our world that consists of people in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, states, countries, and beyond. We are to be as passionate as Paul was to share the only Truth that matters.

May God find us faithful as we get out there and talk about Jesus.

May God find me faithful.

December 13 – You Are Out Of Your Mind

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Acts 24-26

Paul is defending himself against the lies accusing him of crimes. He went from one courtroom to another and spoke before High Priests, governors, and kings. He was imprisoned for two years. But his story never changed. Paul stayed true to his faith in Jesus.

After repeating his defenses before Festus, the governor shouted, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.”

Scripture tells us spiritual truth is foolishness to those who don’t know God. It sounds crazy to believe some virgin girl gave birth after being impregnated by God. It sounds ridiculous to believe anyone could grow up without ever doing anything wrong, or live after dying on a cross. It’s foolish to believe all those men over thousands of years could write God’s Truth, and that scribes could copy it without compromising that Truth. It sounds wrong to say Jesus is the only Truth, or that He’s coming again.

I feel like God is asking me if people have reason to think I’m out of my mind. Or do I keep what I know is true to myself? Paul talked about his faith over and over again, and didn’t care what people thought of him because of it.

God, I pray that I will be faithful to share Your Truth today, regardless of what anyone thinks of me. May I share Jesus with love, and confidence, and passion like Paul did. And may people be drawn to You because of my testimony.

 

December 12 – A Clear Conscience

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Acts 20:4-23:35

Paul said something to the Council in Jerusalem that got my attention. Paul, as Saul, had persecuted the church. He was responsible for the imprisonment of hundreds of men and women who were guilty of nothing more than believing in Jesus. He was present when Stephen was stoned to death, even approving of the murder.

But in 23:1 he said, “Brethern, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”

Seriously? Paul could say he wasn’t overcome with guilt about his past? Shouldn’t what he’d done give him sleepless nights over feelings of regret?

This week I have struggled with memories of how I treated my parents, both of whom now live with Jesus. Did mom know how much I appreciated the white suit she had made for me for homecoming? Did she forgive me for unkind words I’d said to her in my youth? Why did I choose to go to that jewelry party at my coworker’s house instead of welcoming Dad the night he drove 60 miles to surprise me? Mom had died. He was alone and lonely. And I didn’t stay. Why didn’t I hug my nephew the last time I saw him? Our eyes connected, but we didn’t hug. And he died a few days later. Did he know how much I loved him?

Friends, I have a guilty conscience. I see the faces of friends I betrayed, the looks of people who received the biting words I said, the hurt I caused. And I am sitting here weeping with regret.

I didn’t commit the sins Paul did. Yet he could say he had a perfectly good conscience before God. HOW?

I am reminded that I am forgiven. Jesus took the guilt upon Himself. I can stand before Him with a good conscience because when God looks at me He sees Jesus’ perfection. He’s forgiven me of all those things I did and didn’t do, and He’s forgotten them. I am guilt-free as far as He’s concerned.

So when I struggle with guilt, like I have these past days, I need to recognize that it’s not coming from my Savior. It’s Satan’s attempt to make me a slave to my past.

God, forgive me for falling for that. Thank you for forgiving me. I am a sinner. I am guilty of unspeakable sins. And I can feel pretty bad about them. Help me to remember that Jesus died so that those sins can be washed away, never to be remembered by You ever again. Help me to rejoice in my salvation, to never live another minute regretting what I can’t change. And give me the power to not repeat the sins I’ve committed. I don’t want to miss the joy of living with a perfectly good conscience before the God who gave it to me.

December 11 – It’s My Right

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Romans 14-16

I believe our generation really could use a dose of Paul these days. We are always hearing about our “rights” as Americans, and about the anger that results if someone believes their rights have been denied them. We’ve become a nation of entitled people whose only concern is their personal rights.

How many government buildings no longer display the Ten Commandments or a nativity scene because some said they had a right not to see those things? What about the school that stopped displaying the American flag, or the one that no longer plays the National Anthem, because someone said they had a right not to honor this nation? We hear about a person’s “right” to health care, an education, a living wage, to make decisions about their bodies.

Off soapbox.

Paul talks about a person’s “right” to eat certain food. What about drinking alcohol, wear what they want to wear, love who they want to love? (14:13ff)

The NASB titles chapter 15, “Self-denial On Behalf Of Others.” And that’s what I think we need to hear today. Once again I am reminded that my right to do something doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t set that right aside if it will encourage someone to come to the Savior. My rights will never outweigh a person’s eternal soul. And I never want my rights to be a stumbling block to an unbeliever.

December 10 – Coming To An End

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Romans 11-13

Many Christians look to Jerusalem for signs of the times. It’s reported that God is moving in the hearts of Jews there so that many are coming to accept Jesus as their Messiah. There is great rejoicing in the Church, as there should be.

Some see that as a sign that the last Gentile is close to believing, and that “all Israel will be saved” (11:26) before Christ returns. And “all Israel” must mean the physical Jewish nation.

That confuses me, because Paul also just got done talking about the branches on the olive tree. When a branch is grafted in, it becomes a part of the tree. Even natural branches, when grafted, become part of the tree again. It’s one tree.

In 10:12 Paul tells us there is no difference between Jews and Greeks, that salvation is the same for both. In 2:11 he says God shows no partiality between Jews and Gentile.

I’m sitting here trying to get a handle on it, when I feel God say, What does it matter? If I choose to favor a people, I will. It has nothing to do with you, Connie. YOU follow me. YOU share the Gospel with people in your life. YOU do your part, and I’ll do mine… perfectly.

So I will not get into a debate over the part the physical nation of Israel plays in the big scheme of things. It doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that I am doing what God is asking of me. If it’s true that at some point a last Gentile will come to know Jesus before He returns, I’d love to be the person who introduces him or her to the Savior.

December 9 – Pray For Me

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Romans 8-10

Most of us have had occasion to ask a fellow believer to pray for us. I’ve asked you to pray for me once in a while myself. I really do try to remember to pray whenever I’m asked, and I’m sure you do, too.

But have you ever asked someone to pray for you, but can’t put your request into words? Your sorrow runs deep, or your burden crushes your spirit, or the reality of your problem is too overwhelming.

Maybe you don’t even know how to pray about it yourself. How do you put the unspeakable into words?

Paul is reminding us today we don’t have to. After talking to us about what hope looks like, he says in Romans 8:26-27:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Sometimes, when I’m in the depths of despair, my only prayer is, “Holy Spirit, pray for me.” And he does.

I don’t have to always put together a complete sentence to tell God what’s on my heart. He searches my heart.

Sometimes I don’t even know what to pray for, what answer I’m looking for. The Spirit intercedes for me.

I love the thought that when the Holy Spirit brings my name before the throne, it is with groanings too deep for words. He doesn’t just say, “God bless Connie.” He pours out His Holy heart to the Father for me.

Do you know what the next verse says?

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Paul said that after assuring us that the Spirit of God Himself has our backs, that He prays for us, His children. Does it calm your spirit, lift you up, give you peace in a storm knowing that the Holy Spirit is actually praying for you?

It does me.

Dear Holy Spirit of God, thank you for praying for me. Thank you for searching my heart, for interceding for me, for knowing what I need better than I do. Thank you for going to the Father on my behalf, and working out even my toughest days, for my good. May God be glorified. Please continue to pray for me, Dear Spirit.

 

December 8 – Let’s Be Honest

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Romans 4-7

Paul is talking about sin in these chapters and, somehow, the more he talks the more questions I had. On one hand, he teaches that we who are united with Christ are no longer slaves to sin, we are freed from sin, and sin cannot master us. Instead we become slaves to righteousness.

On the other hand, he confesses that he is “not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” (7:15) He tells us sin actually dwells in him “for the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” (7:19)

Then he goes so far as to say this war within him between good and evil is making him a “prisoner of the law of sin.” So which is it, Paul? A slave to sin or a slave to righteousness?

Yes.

Thank you for making that clear, Paul. I mean that sincerely.

Sometimes we Christians believe that as those redeemed by the blood, we cannot sin. Then we do. So we beat ourselves up, or give up.

Sometimes we Christians find it hard to share our struggles and failures, our sins, with others because somehow we think other Christians are doing it right. I certainly don’t want them to think I’m the only one who isn’t.

I’m so glad Paul was honest. God’s gift of grace does not come with a bubble we live in where Satan’s arrows can’t penetrate. We are at war. And Satan is a powerful enemy. He knows exactly which temptations to throw my way, when to throw them, and how often. He’s never one and done.

And sometimes I am as weak as Paul was. I end up doing the thing I hate. And, if left unconfessed, I can become a slave to that sin.

But I can also have victory! God promises that. And I’ve experienced it over and over. There is forgiveness when we ask. There is strength when we walk close to our Lord. There is power over sin through the precious blood of Jesus.

Let’s be honest. Christians sin. The difference between us and the unredeemed is what we do with that sin. My prayer is that we all, including me, will be quick to confess, repent, and flee from the temptation. We don’t have to let that sin continue to the point where it controls us.

And may I suggest that we learn to be as honest as Paul was concerning his struggles. Someone might identify with your testimony, and be encouraged to claim their own victory over a sin in their life. May we be sensitive to God’s prompting to share with just the right people at just the right time.

I’m thinking if we are honest, we can help each other. I know Paul helped me today with his honesty.

December 7 – It’s A Gift

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Acts 20:1-3; Romans 1-3

What is good enough? I know some pretty amazing, generous, loving, honest people who care about the environment, give to the SPCA, volunteer at homeless shelters, and are great neighbors and friends. I know people who never say a bad word about anyone, who are kind and supportive. They are hard-working, family-centered, salt-of-the-earth kind of people. You probably know them, too.

Maybe you are one of them yourself.

So how do you handle Romans 3:23 in regards to really good people? Oh sure, no one is perfect, you might say with a wink. But the people I described don’t commit those blatant, awful sins that everyone recognizes. Their goodness must outweigh their goof-ups.

We are going to read Romans 6:23 tomorrow. And folks, that verse applies to the goof-ups, too.

Many of us memorized Romans 3:23 as children. But verse 24 completes the thought in a really wonderful way:

being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Does that make your heart sing? You are a sinner. You deserve the death penalty your sin requires. But here stands Jesus holding a gift with your name on it. Redemption. Forgiveness. He doesn’t tell you to clean yourself up first, or give money to the poor, or quit drinking before He’ll give you the gift. He bought and paid for your salvation while you were still a sinner.

The truth is, none of us can ever be good enough. You don’t erase a sin by doing a good deed. That’s just not the way it is. That sin that you committed deserves death. And Jesus died. That sin requires blood spilt to redeem you. Jesus’ blood ran down that cross that day.

Forgiveness is ours through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It’s a gift. It’s His gift to you.

Dearest Savior, I would imagine most people reading this blog have accepted You as their Savior. I pray that is true. But may we, as we consider Paul’s words to the Romans, have the truth cemented in our minds so that we can share this amazing gift with the people you’ve laid on our hearts. And, Father, if there is one who reads this and has yet to ask for the gift that is their’s, I pray they will do that today. Move in our hearts, Lord. And may You find us faithful.

December 6 – Unimpressive, Contemptible, and Blessed

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2 Corinthians 10-13

Paul seems a little defensive. He must have been receiving some pretty harsh criticism from some of the Corinthian Christians. They said his letters were “weighty and strong,” but felt he was “unimpressive” in person. They went as far as saying his speech was “contemptible.”

Ouch.

Paul admitted that he was not a great public speaker. But he made no apologies for the message he proclaimed. That’s what I think God would have us see today.

We might not all look like Beth Moore, or preach like Billy Graham, or sing like Big Daddy Weave. But God loves to do great things through the least of us. And He does every time we submit ourselves to Him and take those steps of faith.

When we fumble over our testimony over coffee with an unsaved friend, God is glorified. When we quietly shovel snow for our neighbor, or take soup to a sick friend, or sit with someone who is mourning, God is glorified. When people recognize that what we do or say can’t possibly be by our own power, God is glorified.

Paul told his critics, “you might not like how I talk or how I look but that will not stop me from telling you the Truth.” You see, it was the message that was important, not the messenger.

We might not even like the way we look ourselves. We may have no confidence in our abilities. But let God have His way and see what amazing things He can do through us anyway. He will be glorified. And we will be blessed… and a blessing!