Picture What God Wants 2

Revelation 22:1-2

Whether you are a fan of the movies and books or not, most people would agree that the character of James Bond, 007, is the epitome of cool and sophisticated. I have often wanted to be just like this man; suave, unflappable, and highly cultured. When attending work parties with higher-ups I do attempt the behavior of the smooth and worldly spy, but I doubt that I pull it off completely. I may never be an international spy, but I can imitate the attitude of confidence.

In the final book of the Bible God has given a vision, a picture, to John. What is shown in verse 1? How is it described? What else was there? What was the purpose of the trees?

One notable aspect of the Book of Revelation is the ability of John to create a mental image for the reader. Throughout the book we can clearly envision the pictures that God has revealed to him.

Not all visions from God, or pictures from God, are about specific tasks or specific places. Some visions are there to create an attitude. Some are there to offer hope.

Such is the case with this vision of heaven. God shows John that ultimately there will be peace and comfort for the followers of God. God will heal all wounds and surround us with love and mercy.

As we work toward living out the goal of the church – that is, bringing God’s kingdom to fruition here on earth – the Lord may give you a vision of what will come. And that vision may not be of an exact ministry, a definite task, or of a specific place. Instead God may simply offer a picture of hope and success.

When God gives you that picture of hope and accomplishment you should allow it to become part of who you are and what attitude you have. If God has given you a vision of hope then make that hope a part of how you behave and how you speak.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you share hope?

Rebekah 1

Genesis 24:10-14

This week we will be looking at the story of a young woman named Rebekah or Rivkah (in the Hebrew tradition). She is truly the hand that rocks the cradle of God's people. Because from her, everything else happens.

Abraham is now too old to go looking for a wife for his son, who is mourning the loss of his beloved Mother, Sarai. So Abraham sends a servant back to the land he came from and tells him to find a wife. She must be from Abraham's kinsmen and she must be willing to come. Those are the only stipulations that Abraham puts on the servant.

So the head of the household starts off on the journey with ten camels. TEN camels. Remember that tomorrow.

When he arrives, he prays that God will show him a sign. He wants to find Isaac a wife who is not only of their people and willing, but also generous and hospitable.

He knows that God has the young woman already in mind for Isaac. He just needs to be shown which one it is.

Each of us is one-of-a-kind with a completely unique set of skills, talents and experiences. We are who God has made us to be (if we have allowed him). We are called to be used by God for just who we are. The servant has asked God to show him this woman in secret. He isn't coming in and announcing a beauty pageant where the girls will pretend to be something they are not to impress anyone. He wants someone who is genuine.

Notice that not once does physical beauty enter into these requirements of a good wife. God does not need for us to look or act perfect. What we do need, though, is to be part of the family of faith, have a willing heart to go where we are asked, and to be hospitable to strangers. That is what makes us beautiful.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What is God calling you do to this year? Who is out there praying that your one-of-a-kind help will come their way? Ask God to show you today.

David 1

1 Samuel 16:10-13

For the next several weeks we will be looking at God’s table of abundant blessings and His invitation for us to join him. To prepare for this, we thought it might be helpful to have an understanding of who David is.

We are in the process of trying to find an electric guitar. The search is proving to be longer than I expected, but that is okay since we want to get the best quality at the lowest price. When making any purchase I am usually quick to make a decision, while my wife takes longer and does more research.

In 1 Samuel 16 we have the story of Samuel being sent by God to anoint a replacement for King Saul. How many sons were rejected? Who was left? How did Samuel know to anoint this one? What was the result?

The king, Saul, has been rejected by God and God wants someone to be the replacement. He has told Samuel to go to the home of Jesses and anoint the son that God chooses. Samuel had at first wanted to select Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, because he was so big and strong. But God told Samuel that He looks at the inside, the heart, rather than the outward appearances.

It isn’t until the youngest son, David, a boy of about nine, ten or eleven is brought in from watching the sheep that God reveals His decision. Samuel is told to anoint this handsome boy, not because of his strength and size, and not because he is ruddy and healthy, but because God knows his heart.

God knows that David will be a loyal and obedient servant, and so God chooses him as the next king.

Now we have two lessons for ourselves. First, God does not judge on outward appearance, therefore neither should we. We should not pass judgment on others by the way they dress or the way they may talk or act in public. We should get to know the real self, the deeper person within. Those whose appearance may at first seem coarse to us may in fact have the purest of hearts.

Second, since God does not judge on outward appearances but judges the heart, we should spend less time worrying about how we might appear and spend more time refining our heart. Are we genuine in our faith? Are we truly loving and caring in our hearts, or is what we do done for show?

DAILY CHALLENGE: If God judges the heart, what would He say about yours?

Called to Serve 3

Acts 6:2-7

Events, phone calls and meetings in the past several days have alerted me to the tremendous needs that exist in the world. There is absolutely no shortage of ministry opportunities around the world or even in our local communities. When we look at the need that exists it is easy to be overwhelmed by it all.

In this passage from Acts we see the early church encountering an overwhelming need. Specifically, some felt their widows were having their physical needs overlooked. What did the Twelve NOT want to abandon? What was the solution?

How was the proposal received? What did the apostles do with the seven who were chosen to serve? What three positive results were achieved?

Rather than be overwhelmed, the disciples came up with a solution. The responsibility for the work that needed to be done had to be spread among other believers. This meant that those who were skilled at preaching and teaching would continue to do so. Those who felt called to serve the physical needs of others – in this case, cooking and feeding – were commissioned to do that.

The end result was that many positive results were achieved. The disciples were able to spread the gospel news, continuing to preach and save souls. The number of people who were serving the Lord in ministry increased, and more and more followers were obedient to the faith.

I would venture to say that more and more people found the satisfaction of doing something they were comfortable with, and doing something that was rewarding to them. The seven chosen to care for the widows probably found a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that they were serving Jesus by preparing meals.

Rather than be overwhelmed by the mission fields that surround us today, and rather than throwing up our hands and saying there is nothing we can do, we should examine all of our gifts and all of the needs until we can find a satisfactory fit. Each of us can do something to help serve and glorify God. If you are not called or comfortable in one area, then seek out an area where you can find fulfillment. The smallest of gestures performed for the service of God and man is a great and wonderful thing.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How do you fit in the outreach efforts of your worship community?