HE DID IT

2 Timothy 2:1-10

The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2

At the memorial service for LeRoy Eims, longtime staff member with The Navigators, I pondered why hundreds of colleagues and friends had come from across the US to pay tribute. Why did so many people love him so deeply?

As a young Christ, LeRoy had been challenged to disciple others one on one. He took seriously Paul’s charge to Timothy: “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). LeRoy embraced that clear, simple command of Scripture and practiced it faithfully for more than 50 years.

Scores of people who packed the church that afternoon had lived in LeRoy and Virigina Eims’ home. They had been embraced, encouraged, and instructed by him. As his spiritual children, they had multiplied his ministry by investing themselves in others, just as he had in them.

One sentence in a written tribute captured the essence of the man: “His life was characterized by singleness of purpose, great creativity and a wonderful sense of humor.”

LeRoy’s example spurs us on to a lifetime of faithfully following the Lord. He did it! And by God’s grace, so can we. —david mccasland

It is in loving — not in being loved — the heart is blessed; it is in giving — not in seeking gifts — we find our quest. —anon

You can teach more with your life than with your lips.

GOD PUT YOU IN MY WAY

Luke 10:30-37

He, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

In the movie The Four Feathers, Harry Faversham left England in the 1880s to search for his friends in the King’s army in the Sudan. In his quest, Harry got lost and was near death in the vast deserts of Africa. Then, as his life was ebbing away, he was rescued by an African, Abou Fatma, who cared for him.

Stunned by the man’s kindness to a stranger, Harry asked why his new friend had done so much for him. Fatma’s response was direct: “God put you in my way!”

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, a priest and a religious scholar, whose calling was to help the downtrodden, ignored the need of a fallen traveler who had been left to die on the Jericho Road. A hated Samaritan, however, gave his time and resources to help the hurting man, displaying Christ’s compassion. He bandaged his wounds, brought him to an inn, “and took care of him” (Luke 10:34). The ravaged man had been put in the way of all three travelers, but only the Samaritan responded. As we move through life, we are challenged to respond to the needs of people. We will either show them Christ’s love or be indifferent. How will we respond to those God chooses to put in our way? —bill crowder

Lord, I need Your help even to see the needs of people around me and then to know how to care for them. Give me a heart of compassion like Yours and opportunities to express Your love.

Compassion never goes out of fashion.

BECOMING WHAT WE ARE

Philippians 3:1-11

The Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

At a British university, a group of students had raised the question, “What do you want to be?” Different answers were given — a champion athlete, an influential politician, a noted scholar. Shyly, yet definitely, one student said something that caused thoughtful silent: “You may laugh at me, but I want to be a saint.”

Imagine — a saint! Whatever his concept of sainthood, many in our secular society would view that ambition as very eccentric. yet if we are Christians, that ought to be the top priority goal of our life. To be a saint is simply to be like Jesus. Paul declared that the overarching purpose of God the Father is to make us like His Son (Romans 8:29). That’s the essence of sainthood.

Of course, every believer is guaranteed perfect conformity to Christ in the world to come. But God does not want us to wait passively until we enter eternity for that supernatural transformation (1 John 3:2). We are to be cooperating now with the Holy Spirit to grow more and more into Christlike sainthood “in this world” (1 John 4:17).

Yes, we are already saints (Philippians 1:1) by faith in Christ. But we face the daily challenge of becoming what we are — authentic saints in every area of our lives. —vcg

More like the Master I would live and grow, more of His love to others I would show; more self-denial, like His in Galilee, more like the Master I long to ever be. —gabriel

To be a saint is to be like Christ.

A HELP OR A HINDRANCE?

Ezekiel 36:16-38

When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name. Ezekiel 36:20

An 86-year old retired insurance broker says that after much careful thought he has concluded “there is no personal God and no life after death.” He says there’s no evidence to support these beliefs. But he’s wrong. Scholars have shown that the New Testament books are authentic documents and that Christ’s resurrection is a historical fact.

Like the people Paul spoke of in Romans 1, this man chose not “to retain God in [his] knowledge” (verse 28). His decision came from his own rebellious heart and was reinforced by bad experiences.

The factors that contributed to this man’s conclusion should challenge us who believe in Christ. He indicated that he has seen little Christlikeness among the Christians he has met and done business with. And this has occurred in a city filled with churches. He has observed that many are just as greedy, dishonest, unkind, ungrateful, and discontented as those who don’t claim to be Christians. Like the Israelites in Ezekiel’s day, such believers “profane the Lord’s name” and give unbelievers an excuse to reject God.

Lord, make me the kind of Christian who will give unbelievers no excuse for concluding that You do not exist. I want my life to be a help, not a hindrance. —hvl

If Christians hide their shining light and don’t reflect God’s Son, then how will people in sin’s night be guided, helped, and won? —jdb

Christians are either bibles or libels.

BEE POLLEN AND THE GOSPEL

Colossians 4:2-6

Let your speech always be with grace, seasonsed with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

Nellie Pickard loves to tell people about Jesus Christ. She does it so often that she’s written a series of books describing how she witnesses in everyday situations. In Just Say It! she tells about her phone call to a health food store. She had noticed that bee pollen was on sale, so she asked the manager about the benefits of using it. “You’ll live forever, ” he replied.

To Nellie, the words live forever were an open invitation. “I know you’re joking,” she said, “but I know I’m going to live forever, and not because I buy your bee pollen.”

His response was encouraging. “I’d like to hear about it. I’m really interested in why you think you’re going to live forever.” Although he did not trust Jesus as Savior at that time, Nellie had planted the seed by being wise “toward those who are outside” (Colossians 4:5).

Our opportunities are endless, yet our words are often powerless. Instead of directing our conversations with unbelievers toward spiritual matters, we tend to stay in the safe zone. Doing as Nellie does is a skill we need to develop and a challenge that comes straight from God’s Word.

We must look for those openings. With sincere kindness and geniune concern we can turn most conversations to eternal matters—even if the subject is bee pollen. —jdb

Take control of my words today, may they tell of your great love; and may the story of your grace turn some heart to you above. —sees

The best place to witness is where God has placed you.

EMPTY NETS

John 21:1-3

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go afishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. John 21:3

Marrying into a fishing family was  real challenge. The how, when, and where to fish had to be understood. Weather is never a factor. The amount of fish caught is not a deterrent.

The scene in John 21 shifts from a room in Jerusalem to a seashore in Galilee. The Lord had instructed His disciples to meet Him. And now a group of men were suddenly left with nothing to do, so they returned to their former occupation. Perhaps Jesus had called fishermen to follow Him because of their courage. Brave, dedicated disciples were needed. Jesus may have asked these men to follow Him because they knew how to respond to a leader and work together on a task. However, on this night, nothing was happening. The nets were lowered numerous times and were pulled up empty.

Lord, teach me to follow You even when my spiritual net seems empty.

SERVE WITH GOD’s ASSURANCE

Judges 6:33-40

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on the ground. Judges 6:40

The Midianites and their allies invaded Israel again and were encamped in the valley of Jezreel to steal Israel’s harvest. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and energized him to mobilize troops from tribes endangered by the encamped enemy. The response was gratifying.

Gideon knew God had called him. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him. His call to arms had been well received. But Gideon still wanted assurance that God was with him. The fleece tests were not a search for God’s will but a struggle to deal with his own vacillating faith. The patience of the Lord is clear as He accommodated Himself to Gideon’s frailty.

Does your confidence in God sometimes ebb and flow from moments of uncertainty to  heights of assurance as you seek to serve Him? You are in good company with fellow travelers like Gideon. God will extend His grace to you, too, as He responds tenderly to your quest for assurance.

Father, thank You for the challenge of serving You and for the constancy of Your assurance.

HE WILL UPHOLD US

Isaiah 41:1-9

“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand” Isaiah 41:10

An obsolete Army transport plane was filled with people from various parts of the world. We flew, at the invitation of the president of a third world country, for a dedication ceremony of a historic sight. But it was not until we were crowded into the plane and ready to take off that we observed that there were no seatbelts. In fact there were not even enough seats for all of the guests. It was quite an unusual experience at best. Yet, I was able to claim this assuring promise that God gave to Isaiah and gives to all of his children who trust and obey Him.

Many times in my trips to various parts of the world, I have encountered difficulties, opposition, problems and challenges. In such times as these, I have needed and claimed the promises of God.

God’s banquet table is full to overflowing. Not only can we be free from fear, but we can also be encouraged knowing that He is our God and thus He will strengthen and help and uphold us with His victorious right hand. If you and I come to such a banquet table and come away with only crumbs, we should not blame the one who has prepared the table. He has made all things possible for us and given us all things in Him. Even if your task today is simply to perform routine duties, you may approach them without fear, even of boredom, knowing that God is with you.

Claiming this marvelous promise from God’s word, I will not fear, but will claim with joyful confidence His faithful promise to meet my every need, knowing that I am complete in Him who will enable me to live the supernatural life.

WILL THE ROPE HOLD

The summer between my 3rd and 4th year of university I worked at Yellowstone National Park. It was a great summer, full of adventures and new experiences.

On a day off, I had signed up for a day long class in rock climbing. I was successfully making my way up the side of a mountain when the instructor surprised me with an unexpected challenge, when he said, “I want you to push yourself off and fall on the rope!” Questioning why he would ask me to do this, I hesitated, and he wisely pointed out that, “You will never be a good rock climber until you can trust that the rope will hold you. Push yourself off and fall on the rope.”

I was afraid.  Obviously, my trust was in my ability to use my hands and feet to scale the mountain.  The rope was a secondary source of security, in case I slipped (which I did not plan to do!). I eventually did let go my hand holds, and I’m here to tell you that the rope held!

There are times when God seems to say the same thing to me as my instructor did that day. “Take the step, release your hands on what you are holding and see that I’m trustworthy.” The writer of the Psalms wrote, “O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

Just as I would never be a good rock climber without experiencing that the rope will hold. The same is true of my spiritual life. I will never be a responsive Christ follower if I am unwilling to let go of whatever I am grasping when God says, “Let go, trust me.”

Are you willing to let go of the things that give you security? We can only experience God’s goodness when we take those, sometimes scary steps that take faith. Do you trust God is able to hold you securely when you let go of the things that provide comfort or security? What step is God asking you to take? Could it be he is asking you to let go of a relationship, finances or a position … A thought that comforts me is God holds the universe together it is likely he can provide all I need to hold life together … Enjoy the adventure!

Do you believe your rope, God, will hold you during tough times?

HOW THE TRUTH CAN SET YOU FREE

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free?’” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”" John 8:31-36

According to man’s thinking, freedom means being able to choose or act with few if any restraints, limits or accountabilities. According to God’s view, this definition is actually a description of rebellion, where submission to authority is rejected and people all do as they see fit. (Judges 21:25) True freedom – being free from bondage to sin – is found only through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:16-17)

The first step to freedom is recognizing where we are not free, that is, areas where we remain imprisoned. People who have not received Christ as Savior are in bondage to unbelief. They can neither believe God nor trust the promises of Scripture. Sin has blinded their eyes to the truth that they need a Savior.

Even Christians can find themselves in bondage, especially with regard to subtle kinds of enslavement. Feeling inferior is a type of bondage that can dictate how we respond to people. Insecurities can color our responses to life’s challenges and alter our ability to think or act; they also will affect our ability to trust and obey God. Furthermore, feelings of worthlessness or rejection can inhibit our Christian witness.

God wants us walking in freedom. Scripture reveals that we are set free when we know our position in Christ, our person in Christ, and our possessions in Christ. The path to discovering these truths is found only through the living Word of God. (John 8:31-32) Meditating on the eighth chapter of John is a good place to embark on freedom’s road. Its truths will set us free!

In what way are we set free by knowing Jesus personally?