Practice Makes Perfect

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

There was a time, about 50 years ago, when I golfed pretty consistently and wanted to learn how to be a better golfer. The manager of the Safeway Store I was working in at the time, was a great golfer and we played together rather frequently. One day, I got up the nerve to ask him for advice to better my game. He asked me in all seriousness, “You want my advice? Sell your clubs!”

When it comes to any sport, the only way to improve your game is by that dreaded, eight-letter word: PRACTICE. 

Did you know the same is true of your Christian life? Paul modeled what it meant to be a Christ follower, and he told the Philippians to put what they saw in him, and what they heard from him, into practice. It was great advice then, and now. It’s not enough to merely know the truth, we need to practice the truth we learn in the Bible in order to benefit from it.   

Are you practicing God’s Word? For example, you know you are to forgive as the Father forgave you. Are you doing it? You are to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness first. Are you doing it? You are to walk by faith and not by sight. Are you doing it?  

When you practice God’s Word, you will begin to see the blessing of it — God’s peace in you. 

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4.9

Back to Basics

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

I once read a great story about the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi. His team was about to play against the Chicago Bears who, at the time, were not a very good team. During their practice sessions, Coach Lombardi repeatedly told his players, “Remember the basics.” “Don’t forget the basics.” 

Well, the Packers lost to the lowly Bears. It was a quiet ride back to Green Bay and, once they arrived, the Coach ordered the team to suit up and meet at the practice field. They donned their uniforms and went to the field. It was several minutes later before Lombardi appeared. 

“What did I tell you in practice last week,” he asked? “Remember the basics,” they said.  He told them that they had forgotten the basics, and that he now needed to remind them what the basics were. Standing before the players, he held up a ball and said, “This, gentlemen, is a football!”

I often think Christ followers have forgotten the basics. They run after this new theology, or prophet, or message, or method, when, ever before them are the foundational truths on which we stand, found in the pages of the Bible.

Let’s not ignore it, change it, or alter its truths (the basics) in any way. Otherwise, our faith fails.

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?

To do justly,

To love mercy,

To walk humbly with your God. 

Micah 6.8

God

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Three letters, one syllable, easy to say. It is a simple word. We see the Name every time we take a dollar bill or coin from our pocket: In “God” we trust. We see it on bumper stickers. Quite often, we hear the Name thrown around carelessly, punctuating the end of a sentence. We’ve even abbreviated a phrase so it can be texted quickly: OMG!  And, it isn’t uncommon to hear the Name used in petty disgust.

Throughout history, what people have believed about God has caused wars and healed nations. It has been used to bring great comfort and to cause great pain. It has brought peace to many, and caused others to seethe in anger.  

A recent Pew Forum poll said that about 80% of adult Americans “believe in God,” or a “higher power.” I’m really amazed at that. It makes me wonder what they mean when they say, “I believe in God.” Evidently, what they believe about God and how they act has nothing to do with each other. 

The Bible is the main source we have to learn about the nature of God. So, dig in. The more you dig, the more you will understand Him. I think the more you understand Him, the more you’ll love Him. And, the more you love Him, the more you’ll want to live in a manner that pleases Him.

The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. Proverbs 14.15

From a Sheep Pen to a Palace

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

It seems to me that God ignites a Christ follower’s heart in ordinary ways. Let me say it this way: Your burning passion for God is kindled in the routine “sheep pens” of life. Things like, a dead end career, making monthly house payments, building relationships, practicing an instrument, paying for car repairs — from these kinds of sheep pens, God calls us to greater things, higher levels of significance. That’s exactly what happened to David, King of Israel. 

David was called from his father’s sheep pen to a palace. A shepherd in David’s day was a thankless, smelly job. It was relegated to the “nobodies” of the day. But that is where God ignited the heart of Israel’s future King. 

He learned how to shepherd sheep, which helped him lead men into battle. He developed a heart of integrity, the same heart that led Israel to greatness. He learned how to nurture, protect, and care for his father’s sheep, which became a skill of leading a nation to worship God. All the things that made David great were learned in the sheep pen. 

Working with sheep in sheep pens is unpleasant and stinks! And, maybe you feel like you are alone in one, or feel you have been abandoned in one. Trust me on this, God doesn’t waste your time while in a sheep pen. He’s simply preparing you for tomorrow’s destiny. 

I think God does some of His best work in sheep pens. How about you?

He chose His servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants — God’s own people, Israel. He cared for them with a heart of integrity and led them with skillful hands. Psalm 78.70-72

The Enormity of Glory

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

As I read through the book of Romans yesterday, I paused to meditate on one of the great chapters in the Bible, Romans chapter eight. Thinking through the many powerful words God sent to us through the pen of Paul, I found myself attracted to verse 18. 

We know so little about the end of life and the end of the world. But God has given us enough in His Word that we can joyfully look forward. Paul must have been thinking the same thing. As he began to add up the events of his life, particularly the sufferings, the sum total couldn’t come close to the enormity of glory he believed was yet to come. 

“I reckon,” he said. That comes from a Greek accounting term, meaning he had made a spreadsheet of sorts. He had taken a thorough inventory of events. He had made precise calculations. He was careful that his balance sheet was reliable. And he came to the stunning conclusion that the trials, heartaches, losses, and sorrows of this world are small - not worthy to be - compared to the enormity of glory to come.

Hard to believe, isn’t it? How can one conceive of a joy and pleasure so glorious that all of our grief is swallowed up by it? It’s unfathomable, really. By faith, Paul believed it, and so do I. 

There is a glory coming; so enormous, it makes present day joy possible!

I reckon that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8.18

The Truth Shall Make You Free

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

The famed Christian Missionary Alliance pastor and author, A. W. Tozer, once said, "If God gave you a watch, would you honor Him more by asking Him what time it is or by simply consulting the watch." God has given us something far greater than a watch, He has given us His Word. I think of it as a human repair manual, which must be read and obeyed. Following its instruction leads us to the truth, and the truth sets us free.

In some places in the world, it is a death sentence to possess a Bible. Many saints today are martyred in astounding numbers over something, which many American Christians take for granted. 

We are blessed to have a Bible and the freedom to read it. So, may I ask, what do you do with yours? Does it sit on your desk or coffee table for quick pick up as you leave for a church service? Does it stand unused on a bookshelf? Since it is the best human repair manual, written by God Himself, read it. Study it. Apply it. It is the very words of God to you. 

Get into the habit of reading it daily. Be diligent to do what it says, and you will be amazed by the changes in your life and the blessings poured out on you. There is a blessing and a responsibility in having a Bible.

Then Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8.31-32

Full, Abundant Life

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

One of my Scripture reading programs had me in the book of Proverbs yesterday. I love the book Proverbs. When the books of the Bible are divided into categories, Proverbs is listed as “Wisdom Literature.” And, rightfully so.

The Proverb that stuck with me all day was 3.1-2. It has to do with keeping the commandments of God and enjoying life. For some, those two things don’t seem to go together. I think they do! The author said that if we keep His commandments, “length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.”  

I opened my trusted computer Bible to find that the phrase “length of days” and ”years of life” is found only four times in the Old Testament. And, they are not the same thing. It’s like the guy who said, “Stop counting the days of your life, and enjoy the life in your days.” 

“Length of days” is so beautifully expressed in a passage about the Messiah. It says, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” [Revelation 14.15]. “Forever and ever” is a lengthy time, don’t you think?

“Years of life” is wonderfully described by Jesus when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (abundant life)” [John 10.10b].

There is a sense in which an obedient Christ follower receives full days as well as long life (although that long life is not the same for everyone). Maybe that’s because an obedient Christ follower’s time is more productive for the Lord. He or she will work for the Lord “while it is still day” knowing that a time is coming when “no man can work.”

I pray your day is filled with God’s work!

My son, do not forget My law, but let your heart keep My commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3.1-2