How to Fight Darkness with Light

In Romans 12:21 I read, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (NIV)

There’s nothing more counter-cultural in the world today than responding to evil with good. And because it’s so counter-cultural, it can be one of the hardest things to do.

When there’s a bully trying to make trouble in my life, I need to respond positively. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21 NIV).

It’s a step of faith. Everything in me wants to overcome evil with evil and fight darkness with more darkness. That’s what the world tells and teaches me to do: Fight dirty. That’s why it takes faith to go against what my flesh and culture are telling me to do and instead trust in God and respond to darkness with his light.

I fight darkness with light, hatred with love, and unkindness with kindness. I don’t let evil overcome me. I overcome evil with good.

It's tough to do. But it gets even tougher as Jesus also tells me to: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 NIV).

Is that easy? No. Is it unusual? It is a choice. It’s my choice to be better than the bully. Choosing light over darkness means walking the way of Jesus. And Jesus wouldn’t just walk away from a fight and forget. He would lay down his life if that’s what he needed to do to show how much he loves someone, and that’s exactly what he did.

God doesn’t want me to retaliate. He wants me to do good. He wants me to show love to even the hardest hearts by praying for them and asking God to give them hearts like his. Jesus gave us the greatest example of responding in love and praying for enemies. When I follow his example, I’m going to stand out in a world where everyone thinks of themselves first.

Taking the step of faith to overcome evil with good will not always be easy, but it will make me a powerful witness for Jesus.

In summary, do not be overcome by evil, rather overcome evil with good. There’s nothing more counter-cultural than responding to evil with good. It can be one of the hardest things to do. When trouble comes, I need to take a step of faith to respond positively. However, everything in me wants to overcome evil with evil and fight darkness with more darkness. I fight darkness with light, hatred with love, and unkindness with kindness. It gets even tougher as Jesus also tells me to: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. It’s my choice to be better than the bully. Choosing light over darkness means walking the way of Jesus, and Jesus would lay down his life if that’s what he needed to do to show how much he loves someone, and is exactly what he did. God doesn’t want me to retaliate. He wants me to do good. He wants me to show love to even the hardest hearts by praying for them and asking God to give them hearts like his. Jesus provided me with the greatest example. When I follow his example, I’m going to stand out in a world where everyone thinks of themselves first. Taking the step of faith to overcome evil with good will not always be easy, but it will make me a powerful witness for Jesus.

Changing my heart for those who have wronged or overlooked me is a key learning from today’s study. It’s much easier to fight fire with fire than it is to be a cool and refreshing breeze. I need not worry about getting even as God will settle the score. My role is to be like Jesus and be an example of a life that follows him. Father, I ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind this when I face situations such as these so that I can respond in line with how you want me to. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

In Uncertain Times, I Need Eternal Security

In Proverbs 11:4 I read, “Your riches won't help you on Judgment Day; only righteousness counts then.” (TLB)

What good is my money and possessions in the end?

“When the wicked die, their hope dies with them. Confidence placed in riches comes to nothing” (Proverbs 11:7 GNT). The Bible also says in Proverbs 11:4, “Your riches won’t help you on Judgment Day; only righteousness counts then” (TLB).

The only way to have security that will outlast my life is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

If I face financial insecurity, I’ll likely be tempted to stop trusting that God will take care of me.

But the Bible is very clear when it comes to God’s provision. It tells me that God will provide, but often in ways that I don’t expect or understand. The Bible also lets me know what to do when I feel like I’m not going to have enough and when I’m tempted to hoard my resources. I need to trust in God, not in my possessions. I’ve got to be God-centered, not materialistic. And I should save, but for the right reasons.

I don’t need to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t need to know what the future holds. I just need to know who holds it! When I have a relationship with my Creator, I’ll have the security I need.

In summary, my riches won't help me on Judgment Day; only my righteousness will count.  What good is my money and possessions in the end? The only way to have security that will outlast my life is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible is very clear when it comes to God’s provision. It tells me that God will provide, but often in ways that I don’t expect or understand. I need to trust in God, not in my possessions. I’ve got to be God-centered, not materialistic. I should save, but for the right reasons. I don’t need to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t need to know what the future holds. I just need to know who holds it! When I have a relationship with my Creator, I’ll have the security I need.

God, I want my security to be in something that cannot be taken from me. I want my security to be in my relationship with you, as I trust in your promise to never leave me. I want to claim that promise today. As much as I know how, I open my life to you, Jesus Christ. Please come in, change my priorities, my values, my purpose, and my direction. Make me the person you want me to be. Father I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I humbly ask you to do this in your name. Amen.

 

God Wants Whatever I’ve Got

In John 6:5-6 I read, “‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” (NIV)

Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish? I think it’s amazing that out of 5,000 people, only one person brought lunch. I’m thinking a lot of people were hiding picnic baskets under their robes because they didn’t want to share with anybody else.

But one little boy offered the bread and fish he packed for his lunch. He gave Jesus what little he had, and God used it not to just feed a lot of people but also to show them how much he cares and how powerful he is.

God always starts with what I have. I may not think that I have much time. My finances may not be worth much. I may not think I have much talent.

But I can give God everything in my life. Give him my heart, reputation, past, present, and future. It may not be much, but I can give him my five loaves and two fish.

In John 6:5-6 Jesus asks, “‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do” (NIV).

Jesus wasn’t worried about how to feed 5,000 people. He already had in mind what he was going to do. He saw the need long before the disciples did. And he had a plan.

I need to understand that God always has the answer before I even know the problem. God is not worried about my unsolvable problem. It’s not too late in the day for Jesus. He saw my problem long before I did. He knew it was coming, and he already had a plan for it. God knows the solution to my problem before I even recognize it’s a problem.

So why am I worrying? Just admit I have an unsolvable problem, and then give God everything I have. Watch him take my loaves and fish and turn them into a feast.

In summary, one little boy offered Jesus what little he had, and God used it not to just feed a lot of people but also to show them how much he cares and how powerful he is. God will always start with what I have. I may not think that I have much time, money or talent. But I can give God everything in my life. Give him my heart, reputation, past, present, and future. It may not be much, but I can give him my five loaves and two fish. I need to understand that God always has the answer before I even know the problem. God is not worried about my unsolvable problem. It’s never too late for him. He saw my problem long before I did. He knew it was coming, and he already had a plan for it. God knows the solution to my problem before I even recognize it’s a problem. Just admit I have an unsolvable problem, and then give God everything I have.

Over the last few days, I’ve been struggling with having too much put on me and no way to continue to do it and other things that have wanted me to do. The solution offered to me was to gather other leaders together and re-assign the work. This also meant giving another team more authority than I would have wanted them to have or trust them with. I was told to let it go and provide them the access they would need so that they could do it. I need to trust that God had a plan even before I knew it. So, I will give him my five loaves and two fish and let him show me what he wants me to do.  I thank you for this supportive study today to affirm this situation. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

 

My Faith Can Move Mountains

In reading Mark 11:22-24 it says, “Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don’t doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.” (CEV)

Faith opens the door to miracles. If I study the Bible and history, I’ll find that every time God moves on earth and does a miracle, it’s because somebody believes.

Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24, “Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don’t doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith” (CEV).

Faith can move mountains! God has set up the universe in a hierarchy of laws. The law of faith is actually higher than the laws of nature. That’s where miracles come in. When someone has faith, the law of faith goes into practice and can actually do more than the laws of nature. The law of faith is what makes miracles happen.

God still performs miracles today. Every time I stretch my faith, God does miracles. So what mountain in my life needs to be moved? What’s the thing that seems like it can never change? Maybe God wants my faith to supersede the laws of nature to move that mountain.

God is in the mountain-moving business. He has moved them in the past. He is moving them today all around the world. I should never doubt or underestimate what he wants to do in my life. Matthew 13:58 says, “[Jesus] did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (NIV).

If I’m not seeing many miracles in my life, consider if I’m looking with eyes of fear, or with the eyes of faith? Let this be the year when I see faith open the door to miracles.

In summary, have faith in God! If I have faith in God and don’t doubt, I can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything I ask for in prayer will be mine. Faith opens the door to miracles. I’m learning that God has set up the universe in a hierarchy of laws. The law of faith is actually higher than the laws of nature. That’s where miracles come in. When someone has faith, the law of faith goes into practice and can actually do more than the laws of nature. The law of faith is what makes miracles happen. Every time I stretch my faith, God does miracles. God wants my faith to supersede the laws of nature to move a mountain. I should never doubt or underestimate what he wants to do in my life. If I’m not seeing many miracles, consider if I’m looking with eyes of fear, or with the eyes of faith? 

This morning, I consider what mountain in my life needs to be moved and what’s the thing that seems like it can never or hasn’t changed?  What comes to mind is that I’m not doing anything to help advance the kingdom. I only work, all though, how I do my work can make a statement. But it’s not something that I have been openly attributing to God in front of others. Also, I had backed away from being part of a small group or even leading a small group. I have volunteered to be a group leader in the coming year. I pray that I can help others and introduce and advance the kingdom with those who do not have an interment relationship with you. I need to stretch my faith and not underestimate what you want to do through me for your kingdom. I pray Father for faith to do your will. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

 

God Can Use My Mistakes for His Good

In Romans 8:28 I read, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” (GNT)

I do foolish things from time to time. I make mistakes. But nothing I ever do is beyond the capacity of God to use. I may make mistakes, but God doesn’t. The Bible says in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose” (GNT). When I make a foolish mistake, God says, “I can fit that in too. I can use it all for good.”

Interestingly enough, this isn’t a promise for everyone. The verse doesn’t say God works everything out for good for those living in rebellion against him or for those who aren’t living for his purposes.

The promise is for people who come to God and say, “I want to live for your purposes. I don’t always get it right. But I want to do the right thing. I want to follow you, and I want to trust you.” If I do this, then God will take it all and use it for his good.

That’s a reason for joy. When I put my life in his hands, it doesn’t mean I’ll never goof up again. I’ll still make bad decisions and mess up. But God can fit it all into his plans. There is no plan B for my life. God knew all the mistakes I’d make before I was born. He also knew he’d fit those mistakes into his plan.

That means I can relax and stop being anxious. I can move into this new year trusting God’s grace is active in my life. I just need to do my best with what God has given me. God will work everything into his plan.

In summary, in all things God will work for good those who love him and are called according to his purposes. I may do foolish things and make mistakes. But nothing I ever do is beyond the capacity of God to use. When I make a foolish mistake, God says, “I can fit that in, I can use it all for good.” This isn’t a promise for everyone. The promise is only for those who come to God and say, “I want to live for your purposes, to follow you, and to trust you.” If I do, then God will take it all and use it for his good. When I put my life in his hands, He can fit it all into his plans. God knew all the mistakes I’d make before I was born. He also knew he’d fit those mistakes into his plan. I just need to do my best with what God has given me. God will work everything out.

Father it's great to know that you work every aspect of my life into your plans, even when I make mistakes. I do commit myself to living, following and trusting you. I ask for the Holy Spirit in my life to help me in my thoughts, actions and plans. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with you. I pray these things in your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

 

Making My Talent and Skills Matter

In 1 Corinthians 6:20 I read, “Use every part of your body to give glory back to God.” (TLB)

How do I want God to use me? What ways can I use my talents in view of eternity? I need to spend my time on earth preparing for my time in heaven.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “Use every part of your body to give glory back to God” (TLB).

There are some big misconceptions about heaven. I won’t just kick back and eat bon-bons, wear a white robe, play a harp, and float on clouds. None of those things are in the Bible!

So what am I going to do for all those trillions of years when I get to heaven? God has plans for me to serve in heaven. I’ll have work, enjoyable things I’ll do in service to God. And my time on earth is practice for that. If I want God to give me a place of serious service in eternity, then I can’t spend my time living for myself.

Imagine if all through life I just sit on the bench, saying, “I live for me.” Then, when I get to heaven, I say, “Okay, God, take me off the bench and put me on the A team. Let me serve you now.” God will say, “Forget it. What serving skills did you develop with your time on earth? You have no serving ability.”

God wants me to understand that right now is my chance to get ready for the real thing. I’ll take to heaven only two things: my character and my skills. I’m not going to take any of my money or possessions. I’m not going to take a single material thing to heaven.

So I shouldn’t waste time on what I can’t take with me. Instead, spend my time developing my serving skills and building my character to be more like Jesus.

So, today I need to consider how I am using my talents for God? Am I using all my talents on myself? God wants me to serve him well here on earth and forever in heaven.

In summary, I am to use every part of my body to serve and give glory back to God now and in eternity? Consider how I want God to use me. What ways can I use my talents in view of eternity? I need to spend my time here on earth preparing for my time in heaven. There are some big misconceptions about heaven. When I get there, I won’t just kick back and relax. God has plans for me to serve in heaven. I will have work, but they will be enjoyable things I’ll do in service to Him. So my time on earth is practice for that. If I want God to give me a place of serious service in eternity, then I can’t spend my time just living for myself. God wants me to understand that right now is my chance to get ready for the real thing. I’ll take to heaven only two things: my character and my skills. So I shouldn’t waste time on what I can’t take with me. Instead, spend my time developing my serving skills and building my character to be more like Jesus.

Today’s study is a great reminder for how God wants me to serve him here on earth and forever in heaven. So I need to consider how I am using my talents today. I need to have humility and have a servant's heart in everything I do. I admit God that I have not always done well with this. I do want to make a difference in the lives of others. I ask for help from your spirit in my life to help me keep this in mind in everything I do. Father I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, amen. 

Making My Time Really Count in 2021

In Colossians 4:5 I read, “Use your time in the best way you can.” (ICB)

If you want to get ready to be used by God, first you need to get to know Jesus Christ. Then I need to use my time in view of eternity.

Colossians 4:5 says, “Use your time in the best way you can” (ICB). Time is my most precious resource. It’s far more important than money. I can get more money, but I can’t get more time. I only have a certain amount allotted to me in this life.

I can’t make or borrow time. I can’t save it or extend it. I can only use it. Everyone has the same amount of time every week: 168 hours. I won’t be able to manage anything else in my life if I don’t learn how to manage my time well. My time is my life.

God is watching how I manage my time on earth to determine what he’s going to have me do in eternity.

One of Satan’s strategies is to get me so busy doing unimportant things that I don’t have time for the important things in life, preparing for eternity. If Satan can’t get me to be bad, he’ll just get me busy.

The Bible tells me exactly what I should be doing with my time: “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24 NLT). 

God wants to use me, but he wants to make sure I’m investing my time in the most important things. This means using my time in view of eternity. Ask yourself, “How much of what I’m spending my time on is going to count five years from now or in eternity?” Use answers to this to refocus my time.

You have 362 days left in front of me during 2021. How can I use my time in view of eternity?

In summary, I need to use my time in the best way I can. In order for me tobe used by God, I need to know Jesus. Then use my time in view of eternity. For time is my most precious resource. It’s far more important than money, as I can get more money, but I can’t get more time. I only have a certain amount of time allotted to me in this life. I won’t make or borrow time. I can’t save or extend it. I can only use it. Everyone in this life has the same amount of time every week: 168 hours. I won’t be able to manage anything else in my life if I don’t learn how to manage my time well. My time is my life and God is watching how I manage my time on earth to determine what he’s going to have me do in eternity. One of Satan’s strategies is to get me so busy doing unimportant things that I don’t have time for the important things in life. If Satan can’t get me to be bad, he’ll just get me busy. For my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus” God wants to use me, but he wants to make sure I’m investing my time in the most important things. How much of what I’m spending my time on is going to count five years from now or in eternity? It's time to refocus my time. I have 362 days left in 2021. How will I use my time in view of eternity?

As I focus on this, I realize that the only time I’m spending in light of eternity is in my quiet times. I ask you Father, to help me refocus my time moving forward on the things that will last for eternity. I will embrace the opportunity to lead a small group or at least become part of one so that I’m not isolated by helping to facilitate relationships with you. Also, I need to be conscious of my conversations with others, to be of assistance and to help out. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I ask for in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.