What's Your Reason?

Mixed with encouragement and inspiration, Peter firmly instructs the suffering Jewish Christians to always be prepared to give a reason for their hope. These new believers were experiencing severe persecution, testing and trials for their new faith in Christ. Their lives were being watched by unbelieving neighbors, family and friends, employers, etc and they needed to be ready to answer the question, "What is it that you believe that gives you such hope amidst your suffering?"

We have no idea the extent of pain and suffering these Jewish Christians endured. We will never know what they gave up in order to follow Christ. Our suffering may not compare to theirs, but we are still required to be prepared when people ask us for the reason for the hope we have.  What's your reason?

"...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (I Peter 3:15)  Let's break down this verse:

1) Always be prepared to give an answer ....
This is not an option; this is a command. God expects it from us. It doesn't mean that we have to have all the answers to deep, theological questions, but we do have to be prepared to give an answer. Not a "Just because" or "I'm not sure" answer, but one that's sincere; a true testimony of your relationship with God.

2) ...to everyone who asks you....
It doesn't say, "in case anyone ever asks you" or only to people who understand where you're coming from (i.e. fellow believers, etc.). We are to be prepared to answer anyone and everyone - regardless of who they are and what they believe or don't believe. If they are asking, they are looking for an answer!

3) ....to give the reason for the hope that you have.
You know you have hope...in your salvation, in Christ, in your future, etc., but can you explain it so others will understand it? You may be going through a trial and people are noticing how you're handling it and they are asking about your hope - what do you say? 

In order to know the reason, we have to understand it ourselves! We need to understand God, His Word and what He wants to do for others. We need to understand our own, personal relationship with God and be able to explain how our life has changed because of it. We need to understand other people and recognize that when they ask, and they will, they are searching for something. They want and need the same hope you have and if we're not ready to give them a reason, they will move on to someone and/or something else.

4) But do this with gentleness and respect.
Responding with gentleness means not getting in their face when they ask, condemning them of their unbelief, etc. Nor do we  brush someone off by saying, "Oh, you wouldn't understand" or "I don't know how to explain it to you." - this is disrespect and will be interpreted as such immediately!

Do you know the reason for your hope and are you ready to share it when, not if, someone asks? Being prepared with your answer takes an effort on your part and the enemy will do all he can to distract you from completing it. Don't give him another victory today.

Take time to write out your response in your own words, recalling personal experiences where God has been and continue to be your comfort, support, strength.....your hope!

Is Your Faith Starving?

Do you realize that our faith needs to be fed just like our physical body?  Do you recognize that God allows things in our life to help us grow in our faith? Is God trying to strengthen your faith and you're not paying attention?

Just as Hebrews taught us what faith is - being sure that God is who He says He is and certain that He will do what He promises to do, the book of James instructs us on what we are to do with this faith. James 2:17 states that "...faith by itself, if not accompanied by action/works, is dead/useless." In other words, if we are not feeding our faith with action, deeds and good works, than our faith will dry up and become useless. Know that we cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God. But such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of our faith in Christ.

In addition to our good works, how is our faith fed? James shows us several ways that our faith is developed and strengthened.

1) Through trials. James 1: 3 tells us - "...you know that the testing of your faith develops patience / perseverance."  James doesn't say if we face trials, but when we face trials. We have to recognize that trials or testings in our life are God's way of developing our faith. We must turn hardships into times of learning. Tough times teach us perseverance!! What are you being taught today? How is your faith being fed?

2) Through temptations. Although God does not tempt us to do evil, He will allow Satan to temp us in order to refine our faith and help us grow in our dependence on Christ. We can resist temptation to sin by turning to God for strength, choosing to follow Him by faith and obey His Word. Are you struggling with a temptation today? Recognize it as another way God is trying to get your attention  - and focus on Him!

3) Through taming our tongue. How many times have we praised God and shared our faith with our mouth and in the next sentence torn someone to pieces? James 3:10 reminds us - "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing...this should not be."  When we feed our faith with godly wisdom, our speech will be filled with mercy, love and consideration for others, peace, sincerity, integrity and righteousness.

Is your faith starving? Have you allowed your trials to give your faith new life? Are you continually giving in to the enemy's temptations because your faith is not strong enough to believe God can and will help you? Are the good deeds and great works you do for God overshadowed by an out of control tongue?

Feed your faith today. Don't allow it to die from lack of exercise, malnutrition and disease of the mouth.

Download this week's lesson on James.

What Are You Sure and Certain Of?

                               
Were you sure that the New England Patriots were certain to win this year's Super Bowl? Are you sure that the abundance of snacks you consumed last night are certain not catch up with you later? Can you be sure that the score you saw on the scoreboard as the final seconds ticked away was certainly true?

You may not be a Patriots fan or a football fan of any sorts and you may not relate to anything I've said so far, but one thing I know we all can relate to is the question of where and in whom we put our faith. As we look at the book of Hebrews this week, we see the author's explanation of faith and a biography of Old Testament heroes who demonstrated great faith (Hebrews 11).

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) Two words describe faith - sure and certain.  Faith is believing God's character - being sure that He is who He says He is. It is also believing in God's promises - being certain that He will do what He says He will do. When we believe God's character as one who is faithful and trust He will fulfill His promises - even though we don't see those promises materializing yet - we demonstrate true faith and TRUE faith is based on what God says and is shown by what we do!

The author of Hebrews wanted the Jewish Christians to know that living by faith is far better than merely fulfilling rituals and rules. Let's look at how we can live out faith in our own lives:

F - Focus:  Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Hebrews 12:2). Our focus should be on the only One who is certain to be faithful and will strengthen and perfect our faith.

A - Act: ...so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)  Are you talking the talk of faith, but your actions speak worry, anxiety, fear, pride, control, depression, etc?

I - Increase: The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"  (Luke 17:5). When's the last time you asked God to increase your faith? If the disciples, who walked and worked with Jesus needed their faith increased, how much more do we?

T - Take Up: ...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16).  Our faith is a shield that protects us from the attacks of the enemy. If our "shield" is down, we will suffer from the flaming arrows of doubt, discouragement, dismay, etc.

H - Hear: ... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) What are you doing to strengthen your faith? Are you hearing God's Word through Bible study, prayer and His messengers? If the seed of faith is not being watered, it and YOU cannot expect to grow.

Make today the day you begin to Focus, Act, Increase, Take up and Hear God's message in order to be sure and certain that what you hope for and what you cannot see is in God's hands and more than any person (or team) is faithful - To the faithful you show yourself faithful.... (Psalm 18:25).

Download this week's lesson from Hebrews

Perhaps the Reason....



 Have you asked the question, "Why?" lately? Are you wondering why things are happening as they are? Have you stopped to think about the reasons why God allows certain events and people into our lives?

In the book of Philemon, Paul addresses his friend, Philemon, regarding his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had stolen money from Philemon and had fled to Rome where he met Paul. Paul shared the Gospel with Onesimus and his life was changed. Paul now pleas with Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to accept him back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.

A couple verses in this little book stand out to me...."Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good...no longer as a slave" (v. 15-16). Are there any "perhaps" when it comes to God's providence? The fact that Onesimus and Paul actually came in contact is not a coincidence. We don't know the details of their encounter, but do know it was one that bonded them together (v.10) and their relationship was life changing for both of them.

What about your "perhaps"?  Are there things happening in your life that make you wonder - "perhaps this is God's way of getting my attention."  The next time something occurs that you weren't expecting, stop and acknowledge that this is God's hand at work. God is not a God of happenstance. Everything He does is for a reason ~ we just need to be aware of what it is and what we are to learn from it.

Are there people in your life that are there "perhaps for a reason"? Possibly to develop your character? To strengthen your love, patience, perseverance, understanding, listening skills, humility, etc. They may enter your life for just a season, but know that they are they for a specific reason! Learn what God is teaching you through them and then pass on your new found knowledge to others.

Take a minute to look at your surroundings today. Perhaps you work where you work and with the people that you do for a specific reason. Perhaps you are encountering uncomfortable situations for a specific reason. Perhaps you've had people come into your life during this season for a specific reason.....

CHALLENGE: Watch to see how you can make a difference, as Paul did with Onesimus, in the life of someone else this week ~ be their "Perhaps the reason......."

Download this week's lesson from Philemon

Do As I Do!

                                
Have you ever done or said something that you wish you could instantly delete? Are you aware of just how many people are watching your Christian example? In Paul's letter to Titus, he emphasizes the importance of living a life of integrity, soundness of speech and doctrine - one that could not be condemned.

Titus 2:7 says, "In everything, set them an example by doing what is good."  What kind of example are you setting for others today? Do you have fellow employees observing your actions and responses? Are there young children in your midst that love to mimic what you say and do? Is there a friend or family member listening to your conversations and taking note of your deeds?

It's said, "If you want someone to act a certain way, be sure that you live that way yourself!" How do you want the people in your life to act and/or treat you? Do you find yourself saying - "Do as I say and not as I do." (ouch!) Why don't we switch that up a bit and make it our goal to "Do as I do!"

What can you do in regards to our words and deeds? What can you work on in order to be the example of doing good? How can you "do to others what you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12)

1) Your words should be uplifting and encouraging. We get plenty of negative feedback throughout our day, don't be a contributor. Research shows we need 5 positive interactions a day for every 1 negative. Who can you uplift and encourage today?

2) Your words should be wholesome and worthy of being heard. Don't waste them on foolish talk, senseless debate and stupid arguments. Words can help or hurt instantly and many can never be taken back.

3) Your deeds should be sincere and self-less. People know when we're faking it and can usually identify insincerity a mile away! Actions done for others with humility and with no expectations are the best received and the most rewarding.

4) Our deeds should be out of obedience to God and love for others. Jesus left this earth with a new command, "Love one another, as I have loved you...." (John 13:34) Some people are easier to love than others. Some people make loving them enjoyable and pleasant; others present a challenge. Either way, we are to love as Jesus loved - unconditionally.

Let me leave you with this as an encouragement to set the example that you want others to follow today:

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
(2 Thess. 2:16-17)

Go be an example of uplifting, encouraging and wholesome words - Doing sincere and self-less deeds out of obedience and love :)

What Good is the Bible?

Some consider the Bible to be a collection of stories, fables, myths and human ideas about God. Some think it's just made up of rules and lists of do's and don'ts. What do you consider the Bible to be good for? If you've been following us through our Know the Bible study, I hope you'd be able to answer that question with bold confidence!

From the Old Testament, we learned about the origin, obedience (and much disobedience) and opportunities of God's people, the Israelites. We saw who God is and among many of His attributes, we witnessed over and over again that He is.."a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." (Nehemiah 9:17).

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are reminded of what the Bible is good for. "All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

1) God-breathed: The Bible is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers who wrote down His message for His people. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. The Bible is God-breathed!

2) Teaching: Because the entire Bible is God's Word - we need to read it, learn it and apply it. It is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. What are you learning from God's Word?

3) Rebuking: (To find fault, to scold sharply) There are times when God's Word will point out faults in our life. Is that always pleasant? No. But is it necessary? Yes. How we respond to our "scolding" will determine our next step...

4) Correcting: When God's Word opens our eyes to areas that we need to correct and change, we know we can turn to the Bible to show us what to do differently. It doesn't just tell us what we're doing wrong, it gives us instruction and...

5) Training in Righteousness or "Right-Living". We should not use the Bible as just another textbook to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win senseless arguments! It is a training manual for right and God-honoring living, so that we are....

6) Thoroughly Equipped for every good work. We must remember the purpose of the Bible is to educate and equip us to do good. The Bible is good for showing us and preparing us to do Christ's work in the world. Our knowledge of God's Word is not useful until it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". ~ Eph. 2:10

So, what good is the Bible to you? Are you treating it with the respect it is due? Are you relying on it to teach you the way to live? Are you open to its rebuking and then following through with correction? Are you allowing it to be your guideline for righteous living? I hope so!

BLOG COMMENT: Share with us how you would answer the skeptic who asks - "What good is the Bible?"

Keep Practicing

Would you consider yourself a diligent person? Do you stick with something that you know is right even though it is difficult and challenging? Or do others' successes intimidate you and tempt you to give up?

Timothy was a young leader, the pastor of the church in Ephesus and a friend/mentee of the Apostle Paul. In the book of First Timothy, Paul presents pastoral advice as well as personal encouragement to his disciple, Timothy.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul instructs Timothy on several things: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. But set an example in (your) speech, life, love, faith and purity." "Devote yourself to preaching and teaching." "Do not neglect your gift." and "Be diligent in these matters so that everyone may see your progress."

As we start a new year, I'm sure you have things you want to change about yourself, your life, etc. Are you determined to be diligent in reaching these goals? Are you visualizing what it will be like when you are successful? The average person gives up on their "resolutions" by mid-February! Resolve today not to be among the "average."

A person could double their production/reach their goals, in they began to practice what they know they should do instead of doing what they know they shouldn't do! (Eat too much, spend too much, sit around too much, talk too much, sleep too much, etc.) Success comes from diligently practicing the right things. Dr. John Maxwell shares pillars of practice that we should incorporate into our daily lives in order to succeed:

1) The right influence. We need to surround ourselves with people who will help, influence and encourage us. Paul was that person for young Timothy. He helped him succeed for God, influenced his behavior and encouraged him when he doubted himself. Who do you have in your life that is a help, positive influence and encouragement?

2) Your best effort. Paul instructed Timothy to "give yourself wholly" to the things he needed to do and be. Are you giving your goals your best effort? In I Timothy 4: 16, Paul encourages Timothy to "persevere ...because if you do, you'll save both yourself and your hearers." Are you practicing new behaviors and giving yourself incentives for when you succeed?

3) A clear purpose. Be certain about what you're trying to accomplish. Effort without knowledge is like speed without direction. In Timothy's case, it was important for him to be an example by how he spoke, lived out his faith, loved others and valued purity. His purpose in pursuing these behaviors was so that "everyone may see your progress." Isn't that why you want to change?

You only play well if you practice well. So, where are you on the practice continuum? Just starting out? At the phase of rapid progress? Have you already made great gains, now you're just fine-tuning? Knowing where you are, helps you know what you need to do. So keep practicing!

BLOG COMMENT: What's your biggest challenge in being diligent with practicing new behaviors?