But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  2 Corinthians 11:3

Adam and Eve had it all: a beautiful home, endless food and a great relationship with God. They had all of this with just one rule. For their protection, God commanded them to stay away from a certain tree. Paradise was theirs and they had God’s protection as long as they submitted to God’s authority.  But then Satan entered the picture in the form of a snake. Eve knew it was wrong to eat the fruit. But as the serpent talked, she started to look at things differently. She bought into the serpent’s lies and she began to desire the power he promised her.  The results were devastating. The life she had with Adam was destroyed. And when they stepped out from under God’s umbrella of authority, they also lost God’s protection.  Eve’s deception and rebellion started with her conversation with the serpent. And the same thing is true of us. We know what God desires for us, but we start listening to the subtle voice of the world or the wrong “friends.” And as we begin to justify our desires, we’re led further away from God’s truth.  We all struggle with temptation. And there are many things that at first seem enticing to our eyes. But instead, make sure God is the one who you choose to delight in. Because when you’re under His truthful guidance, you’re also under His authority and protection. And when you’re properly placed in God’s chain of command, no one will be able to lead you astray. 

Dear God, I know that the pull of the world can be so strong. And it is so easy to get off track without even noticing sometimes. Please help me to identify the deception that goes on around me, so I can stand strong in my devotion to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16

What is worship? Worship is a 24/7 deal. Everything we do, whether it’s work, talking with our spouse, driving, shopping, reading or even taking a coffee break, it should all be done as an act of worship to God. But we try to compartmentalize our lives, don’t we?   When we are with one group, we appear to be standing under God’s authoritative umbrella. But when we change groups, we may also change our behavior and step out from under God’s authority. And instead of praising Him and sharing what He is doing in our life, we put Him in a box and tuck Him away. We try to justify our actions by claiming political correctness or not wanting to lose our social status. But what we’re really doing is fragmenting our lives.  Whether we realize it or not, we are wired for worship. We were created with this attribute so we could offer it freely to God. But who or what is getting our praise and worship instead?  Worship is an all encompassing thing. And when we understand God’s authority structure in our lives, we understand that by submitting to Him, we’re glorifying, pleasing and reflecting the very nature and character of God—we’re worshiping Him.

Dear God, I typically don’t think about worshiping You unless I’m going to church on the weekend. Please help me to worship You 24/7 by praising You continually and honoring You in all that I do and say. I want to be in the right chain of command so that I can experience the joy of always being right where You want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

When [Eve] saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  Genesis 3:6

THE fruit looked good, and Eve wanted it. What was the harm? When the serpent told her that God was keeping the fruit from her to hide its powers, Eve couldn’t resist the temptation any longer. She had to have it. And when she ate it, she knew her husband Adam had to have it, too. One simple moment of weakness, one small mistake, forever altered their lives.  How many times are we tempted by forbidden fruit? Whatever yours may be, temptation is all around us. Many find it hard to resist, even those of strong faith who never thought they would sin willingly. Yet sin looks so appealing. What could be the harm? We succumb, and as the consequences follow, in some cases our world falls apart.

 What can we do when tempted? First Corinthians 10:13 tells us that no temptation will come before us that is beyond our strength to resist. Jesus told his disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mark 14:38). Always being on our guard, knowing our own weaknesses, and praying constantly are the greatest defenses we have. God can shield us when we cannot stand on our own. We ask, and in our times of weakness, God will be our strength.

Father God, help us resist sinful desires. Clothe us in your righteousness, that in our weakness we may be strong in you. Amen.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24

There’s no way you’ll discover who you are until you understand the authority of God. So many people have a whacked out view of themselves because they look horizontally for their meaning.  In other words, they are looking to other people for their sense of worth. Their self-esteem is based solely on the biased eyes of others rather than the perfect lens of God. And they spend their time trying to please and appease others while neglecting their Creator.  But a great self-esteem is developed by seeing yourself vertically. When I get under God’s authority, I can see clearly that I’m made in the image of God, that I’m not junk and that I’m one of a kind. No one has my skill set, my laugh, my personality, my walk, my talk. I see myself the way God sees me; nothing more, nothing less. And the same is true with you.  Don’t be deceived into believing that you’re somehow not capable of being all that God wants you to be. He has given you His righteousness, His holiness, His uniqueness—and no one can take that away from you. When you look up to Jesus, you will find a powerful alignment that elevates your worth to where it belongs. And you’ll just be amazed at how everything else in life falls into place.

Dear Lord, It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. But when I do that, I know I’m going against Your authority and overlooking the fact that I am a unique creation fashioned with care by Your hand. Please help me to have a new attitude as I seek to find my worth only in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:11-12

As I look back in the rearview mirror of my life, I think about teachers, professors, coaches, pastors and bosses. Sometimes I thought they were unfair. Sometimes they did things I would not have done. But every one of those leaders in my life was placed there by God. They might not have realized it, but God used them to mold and shape me into the kind of person He wanted me to become.  When we submit to the authority placed over us, we learn and grow as never before. And we can actually accelerate our own maturity through that obedience.  God is not surprised by your situation with that difficult boss. He’s also right there with you as you experience conflict with a parent, teacher, spouse, pastor or coach. Don’t argue, name-call or cold-shoulder the other party involved. Put those childish ways behind you. Remember, it’s all about submission. And when we submit to God’s ultimate authority, we find that it is easier to submit to the authorities in our daily lives.

Dear Lord, I want to be the best that I can be, and I know I can only do that by being obedient to You and the authority You’ve placed over me. Please help me to handle conflict with grace and maturity, so that through my example, I can help bring others to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22

Some years ago, there was a story in the news about a man who had a tree fall on his leg. With no one around to come to his rescue, he took out a pocketknife and proceeded to amputate his leg. Then he made his way up the road until someone picked him up and raced him to help. Amazingly, this man who had a severed leg still had enough presence of mind to tell the driver of the vehicle not to go too fast. He said, “I didn’t come this far to die on the road. Take it easy.”

I remember reading that story and thinking, “He did what? How could this guy cut off his leg? I would have laid under the tree and just waited for help.” But the doctors who treated him later said that if he hadn’t taken such a drastic measure, he would have died. The action had saved his life.

Sometimes we must take radical, drastic steps to remove ourselves from whatever it is that is hurting us spiritually. That may mean immediate change. It may mean physically getting up and saying, “I’m out of here.”

You might be at a party, watching a movie, in a particular relationship, or in a place where you have no business being. Wherever it is, you realize you shouldn’t be there. God is convicting you. He is saying, “What are you doing here?” Don’t be foolish. Just get up and go. That’s not always possible, but many times it is.

Is there a relationship or a situation in which you don’t belong? Has God been speaking to you about it? You’ll be glad you took the time to listen.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

We live in a time in which our society is becoming more and more disjointed and divided. Rather than celebrating what we have in common, it seems nowadays we emphasize the things that separate us. In fact, I don’t know of a time, at least in my brief life, when our culture has been more divided (perhaps with the exception of the tumultuous 1960s).  Families are falling apart like never before, and the result is that people are looking for a place where they can belong, a community where they can feel safe, a family they can belong to…a place where they can genuinely love and be loved in return.

And that is exactly what the church is!

I know the church isn’t perfect, made up as it is of imperfect people. But foibles and all, it is the only organization that Jesus Christ Himself ever established. And after two thousand years, it’s still going strong.   Any attempt that has ever been undertaken to eradicate the church that Jesus established and maintains has met with failure, because Jesus said of His church, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He is with His church, and it is still going strong!

Step out and invite that neighbor or coworker you’re so sure wouldn’t be interested to church with you. Hard as it may be for you to imagine, they may be just waiting for an invitation.

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

The Bible tells us again and again that we should love one another. Love is like the glue that holds us all together. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God”   The Bible’s definitive chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, is the most comprehensive description of love in all of Scripture. In these classic verses, Paul shines love through a prism, so to speak. We see many of its colors and hues, so we can more easily understand love and apply it in a practical way. Each ray gives a different facet of God’s agape love.

The Bible doesn’t focus so much on what love is, but on what love does and doesn’t do. The love of God that we are to demonstrate toward one another is not merely feeling or emotion. Nor is it abstract or passive. It is active. It engages. It works. It moves. God’s love doesn’t merely feel patient; it is patient. God’s love doesn’t simply have kind feelings; it does kind things. Love is fully love only when it is active. As the apostle Paul said to the Romans: “Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them” (Romans 12:9). At the same time, the Bible tells us the goal of the Christian is to be conformed to the image of Christ (see Philippians 3:10). This is what God wants you to strive for and aim toward—so that the love He speaks of will work its way into every aspect of your life.

“Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.   Exodus 8:10

When Pharaoh refused to release the Hebrew slaves, God sent a plague of blood upon Egypt. Seven days later, Moses again asked for the Hebrews to be set free. When Pharaoh refused again, God sent millions of frogs hopping across the ground and into homes. Pharaoh changed his mind and asked Moses to pray to God “tomorrow” to remove the frogs. Why, I have asked myself, would Pharaoh choose to wait another day with frogs leaping into the beds and onto the tables?

 Then I remember how often I intend to improve my poor habits. “Starting tomorrow,” I tell myself, “I will do better. I am just too tired [or too busy] to make the change today.” Yet when tomorrow arrives, I find an excuse to stick with my old ways.  How many of us choose to wait “just one more day” before we change our habits? We say that tomorrow we’ll start to exercise, eat healthier foods, or spend more time reading the Bible. Like Pharaoh, we are willing to wait just a little longer before we take action. But God wants us to serve and to experience the blessings of serving today, not to wait another day. God promises to give us strength in our weakness, to help us when we must change our behavior so we can do what is right. 

Lord, show us where you would like us to change, and give us the will and the courage to do it. Amen.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

There is nothing in this world quite like Christian fellowship. We know that the early church worshipped, prayed, and studied the Scriptures together. They also ate together, gave their tithes and offerings together, shared the gospel together, helped one another, and stuck together. In short, they loved one another. The word that describes this phenomenon is the Greek word koinonia, which is usually translated “fellowship.” But it is also translated into the words “communion,” “distribution,” “contribution,” or “partnership.”

This means there is something wonderful and supernatural that people in the church experience. It’s a bond we share that those outside that fellowship can’t begin to understand.

God has a unique purpose and place for the church in the world today. Paul tells us that we Christians are “the called of Jesus Christ” (see Romans 1:6). God’s people are called out of a world system that is hostile to the teachings of Scripture. As Jesus said, “You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).

This doesn’t mean we are to isolate ourselves from the world, because Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (see Matthew 5:16).

We are to be salt and light in this culture. But at the same time, we are called out of the culture and warned not to love it. Called out…and called together. In the world…but not of the world. The apostle Paul called the church “a mystery,” and there is nowhere better to be in this world than right in the middle of it.