Jesus On Meeting Our Needs

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see a marked difference between His priorities and the concerns of His disciples. The disciples were often preoccupied with how to meet their physical needs (Matt. 14:15–17;_John 4:8; Luke 18:28). Jesus repeatedly assured them_that the Father knew their needs and would provide_(Luke 11:11–13). Jesus stressed that their priority was to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”; the necessities of daily life would be provided (Matt. 6:33).

Read this morning in our Blackaby devotion. You can read the rest of it online by clicking here.

Out of Work, but Not Off Mission

I recently spoke with a Hoper (a believer who lives by these values)who lost his job. As we talked, I began to get more and more excited about his life and the journey God has him on. Remarkably, in the midst of what should be a time of doom and gloom he senses God at work in his life in wonderful ways. He knows that God is good and has always provided for him and his family. Sure he'd like to have income coming in like he was, but he knows it is just a matter of time before God provides. What great faith!

The thing he asked me to pray for was also astounding. He didn't want me to pray for the job he is interviewing for. He wanted me to pray that God would allow him to live on mission no matter where he works. This man wants to show and share the love of Christ with our lost and dying world. He believes that the job he will be getting will simply be a tool that allows him to pay his bills so he can live to give the hope of Jesus to other people. Those he will be working with in the near future are simply soon to be dear friends that he is going to share his life and Lord with.

I am praying for him. I am encouraged by his faith and his Biblical mindset that has him focused on the Great Commission - Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

His story reminds me that God has us all where He wants us right now. Some have a little and some a have lot, but those who have Jesus have all that is needed to do everything God wants with their life. Like Paul, they can say "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments." Habakkuk 3:17-19

Do You Agree or Not?

From the mouth of an atheist. Do you agree or not? Click here.

Penn says:

I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, and you think, 'Well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward'... How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?

Suffering Saints in India Need Our Prayers and Support

The group of men are Christian refugees in Orissa, India.
The man laying down has lost his sanity after seeing His family murdered in front of him by radical Hindus.

I sat last night with my family and listened to the most beautiful Christmas music I have ever heard. I was in my church surrounded by siblings in Christ along with their families and friends. We enjoyed three of those services over the weekend and raised over $11,000 for Hope House - a new nonprofit organization created to care for a specific 3.6 square mile area of our city where the Gospel is not going forth, churches are not growing, and poverty is destroying families.

That morning a couple of thousand people came to our regular worship services and sat under the preaching of God's Word. Lives were impacted and the Kingdom of God took a step forward.

Throughout the weekend, no police or angry mobs showed up to attack us or to try and keep us from worshipping God. I was not arrested. My house has not burned down. My life was not threatened nor were the lives of my family members. We slept in our warm beds safe and well last night.

For all of these blessings I take for granted far too often, I give God praise and thanks today.

In Orissa, India yesterday over 50,000 Christians who have been forced out of their homes and into the jungle struggled to get their basic needs met. A radical group of Hindus have killed many of their pastors, their families, and many leaders in the church. They have burned down churches and Christians' homes. They have made it clear if the Christians come back they will kill them. These radical Hindus are now confiscating the property of the Christians.

In our prosperity, we must remember those that are in need. If you are a member of Living Hope, please give to the Gift for Christ. That money will go to fund mission efforts all over the world in places like India. If you are in a church that is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention, please give to the Lottie Moon Offering. This will provide resources for places like Orissa, India and other locations of need all over the globe where there are IMB missionaries. If you are a part of another church tradition, you can still give to the Lottie Moon Offering and make a difference in the world.

This morning I read Revelation 6, as a part of my daily Bible reading plan. I look forward to the day, when Jesus brings justice to our world. Here is what D.A. Carson said about the martyrs pleas in heaven to Jesus. The martyrs who are “under the altar” cry out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (6:9–10). It is a great comfort to know that justice will be done, and will be seen to be done; it is an even greater comfort to know that God is more forbearing than Christians.D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, December 15.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Defining Success as Parents

I want my children to do well. Defining what that means is very important. My wife and I are investing our best resources into their lives. It is important that we understand and agree what success looks like. Does that mean that they are popular, rich, powerful, happy, healthy, or what?

The words of D.A. Carson help us tremendously. Commenting on 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Carson writes, "In a world where many Christians derive their deepest joy from advancement, ease, promotions, financial security, good health, popularity, and a host of other things, it is delightful, not to say challenging, to hear an apostle testify that nothing stirs his joy more than to hear that his “children” are walking in line with the Gospel. That tells us all we need to know of his heart—and of where we should find our pleasures too." D. A. Carson, For the Love of God. Volume 1, December 8.

I want them to know Christ and the power of the resurrection.

Wonderful Perspective

I read this during my morning devotion today. This is the perspective I want for myself, my family, and my church. I believe it would provide mental, emotional, and spiritual health, if we could possess this perspective at all times.

"But Christians make their evaluations in the light of eternity. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (2:17). Pity the person whose self-identity and hope rest on transient things. Ten billion years into eternity, it will seem a little daft to puff yourself up over the car you now drive, the amount of money or education you have received, the number of books you owned, the number of times you had your name in the headlines. Whether or not you have won an Academy Award will then prove less important than whether or not you have been true to your spouse. Whether or not you were a basketball star will be less significant than how much of your wealth you generously gave away. The one “who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). D. A. Carson, For the Love of God : A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word. Volume 1, December 3.

Wonderful Perspective

I read this during my morning devotion today. This is the perspective I want for myself, my family, and my church. I believe it would provide the great mental, emotional, and spiritual health, if we could possess this perspective at all times.

"But Christians make their evaluations in the light of eternity. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (2:17). Pity the person whose self-identity and hope rest on transient things. Ten billion years into eternity, it will seem a little daft to puff yourself up over the car you now drive, the amount of money or education you have received, the number of books you owned, the number of times you had your name in the headlines. Whether or not you have won an Academy Award will then prove less important than whether or not you have been true to your spouse. Whether or not you were a basketball star will be less significant than how much of your wealth you generously gave away. The one “who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). D. A. Carson, For the Love of God : A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word. Volume 1, December 3.

Winter Is Here

I just came in from outside and it was snowing. Winter time is upon us. This morning Spurgeon reminded me that just as there is a winter season for the world there is also a winter season for every soul. This winter of the soul is by God's design and for His purpose for His beloved kids.

Read this and be reminded of God's providence and work in the hard times of life.

Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely, that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds of expectation: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant meadows of our joy: he casteth forth his ice like morsels freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, he is the great Winter King, and rules in the realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord’s sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soul. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!

How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to him, and in him find joy and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of his promises, and go forth to labours which befit the season, for it were ill to be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg in summer and have nothing. C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening : Daily Readings December 1 AM.