Jim George's Blog, page 9
July 22, 2014
Leaving the Old
When you became a believer, you entered into an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus. When you embrace Him as Savior, you put into motion a lifelong process of putting off the sinful ways of mankind and putting on the nature and conduct of a new creation in Christ.
As part of this process, amazingly the bad attitudes and habits you’ve added to your life over the years start falling by the wayside. With God’s help, you begin to get rid of attitudes that are far from flattering and don’t fit your life in Christ – selfishness, anger, ignorance, impatience, envy, etc. As you toss these out of your closet of choices, you discover, instead, how to dress in the wonderful attributes God.
As you think about “putting off” and “putting on,” do any behaviors, faults, shortcomings, or areas of sin immediately pop into your mind? Turn these over to Jesus immediately.
Live as the son or daughter of the King of kings! Start every morning by talking to Him, asking Him to guide you and give you strength to live for Him. Leave the old life behind. Study His Word and put His wisdom and principles into your daily life.
As part of this process, amazingly the bad attitudes and habits you’ve added to your life over the years start falling by the wayside. With God’s help, you begin to get rid of attitudes that are far from flattering and don’t fit your life in Christ – selfishness, anger, ignorance, impatience, envy, etc. As you toss these out of your closet of choices, you discover, instead, how to dress in the wonderful attributes God.
As you think about “putting off” and “putting on,” do any behaviors, faults, shortcomings, or areas of sin immediately pop into your mind? Turn these over to Jesus immediately.
Live as the son or daughter of the King of kings! Start every morning by talking to Him, asking Him to guide you and give you strength to live for Him. Leave the old life behind. Study His Word and put His wisdom and principles into your daily life.
July 17, 2014
From Jim’s Heart – Hope in the Hard Times
When something terrible happens in your life, are you ever tempted to ask, “What good could possibly come out of this?” It looks like a disaster. It feels like a disaster. Therefore you conclude, “It is a disaster!”
That’s when you want to remember God’s promise, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you… thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). And then there’s Romans 8:28, which says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.”
God doesn’t tell you that you will escape suffering or pain. Rather, He promises to miraculously use even bad situations for your ultimate good, and He assures you that you have a great future ahead of you. Let these promises sustain you when you find it’s hard to have hope.
Father, when I suffer, please strengthen me with Your Word and Your Spirit
so I can endure with joy, knowing that You ultimately have
great things in store for me. Amen.
That’s when you want to remember God’s promise, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you… thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). And then there’s Romans 8:28, which says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.”
God doesn’t tell you that you will escape suffering or pain. Rather, He promises to miraculously use even bad situations for your ultimate good, and He assures you that you have a great future ahead of you. Let these promises sustain you when you find it’s hard to have hope.
Father, when I suffer, please strengthen me with Your Word and Your Spirit
so I can endure with joy, knowing that You ultimately have
great things in store for me. Amen.
July 15, 2014
Handling Life’s Crises
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was living in the center of a huge crisis. She was single and pregnant, which was a public disgrace and punishable by stoning. She was engaged to a righteous man, who was sure to be hurt and would surely want nothing to do with her. As Mary appears to have silently trusted in God. You and I have a front-row seat as we watch how Joseph handled his crisis and assisted Mary in handling hers. Note three qualities that mark the way Joseph handled a major life crisis:
-Righteous—Joseph was a man who desired to handle the situations and crises of his life in the right way—God’s way. As he thought through his situation regarding Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph determined to do the right thing according to the Old Testament and divorce or cancel the marriage.
-Respectful—But when God said no to Joseph’s plan, Joseph respectfully followed God’s instructions. He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but he submitted to God’s will and instructions and stayed with Mary.
-Responsible—Although Joseph was “afraid” of possible and probable consequences and may have been hurt or upset, he responded immediately to the angel’s message and took on the responsibility for Mary and her Son.
What seemed to be a crisis in Mary’s and Joseph’s lives was God working out His will for this couple. When you encounter rough times you, like Mary and Joseph, you will find God’s grace to be sufficient as you seek to handle life’s crises… His way.
-Righteous—Joseph was a man who desired to handle the situations and crises of his life in the right way—God’s way. As he thought through his situation regarding Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph determined to do the right thing according to the Old Testament and divorce or cancel the marriage.
-Respectful—But when God said no to Joseph’s plan, Joseph respectfully followed God’s instructions. He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but he submitted to God’s will and instructions and stayed with Mary.
-Responsible—Although Joseph was “afraid” of possible and probable consequences and may have been hurt or upset, he responded immediately to the angel’s message and took on the responsibility for Mary and her Son.
What seemed to be a crisis in Mary’s and Joseph’s lives was God working out His will for this couple. When you encounter rough times you, like Mary and Joseph, you will find God’s grace to be sufficient as you seek to handle life’s crises… His way.
July 10, 2014
From Jim’s Heart – Your Wife, Your Friend
How would you define intimacy? If you’re like most men, you probably think of terms of sexual intimacy or lovemaking. While that is a part of intimacy, there’s definitely more to the definition. It also refers to great closeness—the kind that the closest of friends share, in which they feel they can talk about anything.
Are you enjoying that kind of friendship with your wife? Sometimes the friendship part of marriages goes through a dry spell, but this doesn’t need to last. Purpose in your heart to cultivate both friendship and marital intimacy with your wife. Build the kind of relationship where she can say of you, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).
God, you can make all things new –
including my friendship with my wife.
As You renew us individually day by day,
may our relationship also experience new life as we follow You.
Are you enjoying that kind of friendship with your wife? Sometimes the friendship part of marriages goes through a dry spell, but this doesn’t need to last. Purpose in your heart to cultivate both friendship and marital intimacy with your wife. Build the kind of relationship where she can say of you, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).
God, you can make all things new –
including my friendship with my wife.
As You renew us individually day by day,
may our relationship also experience new life as we follow You.
July 8, 2014
Submit to Your Authority
A windstorm came down on the lake, and [the boat was] filling with water, and they were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” —Luke 3:23-25
Over and over we read about submission to authority in the Bible. Recognizing and submitting to authority is no easy assignment for any of us. We want to be in control of our lives and circumstances… at least until a crisis comes along.
Jesus shows us His divine control over all things so we know we can trust Him with our lives and all its ups and downs. The Son of Man has authority over nature, demons, disease, and death. When the disciples were in the boat with Jesus, and the storms came and the waters began to rush into the boat, they ran to Him. They didn’t trust that God was already in control of the situation. Their lack of faith was evident in their fear. They cried out, “We are perishing!” No wonder Jesus asks them, “Where is your faith?”
Don’t wait until the boat is sinking to recognize Jesus’ authority and call for help. Submit now and marvel at the ministry of the Son of Man in your life. You’ll be amazed by the peace, contentment, and calm that will flood your life.
Over and over we read about submission to authority in the Bible. Recognizing and submitting to authority is no easy assignment for any of us. We want to be in control of our lives and circumstances… at least until a crisis comes along.
Jesus shows us His divine control over all things so we know we can trust Him with our lives and all its ups and downs. The Son of Man has authority over nature, demons, disease, and death. When the disciples were in the boat with Jesus, and the storms came and the waters began to rush into the boat, they ran to Him. They didn’t trust that God was already in control of the situation. Their lack of faith was evident in their fear. They cried out, “We are perishing!” No wonder Jesus asks them, “Where is your faith?”
Don’t wait until the boat is sinking to recognize Jesus’ authority and call for help. Submit now and marvel at the ministry of the Son of Man in your life. You’ll be amazed by the peace, contentment, and calm that will flood your life.
July 3, 2014
From Jim’s Heart – Exactly Where You Should Be
Do you know what I believe is the best reward for obedience, what I believe to be one of the most compelling reasons for choosing to obey God? It is this: Obedience leads to a powerful, confident life. When you are obedient, and when you allow yourself to be led by God through the unexpected, you then have a confidence based on the fact that you know you are exactly where God wants you to be. You won’t find yourself doubting the circumstances in your life or the direction things are going.
Although you might not know exactly where God’s will is taking you, you can trust God to watch over and stay with you. And even though life may take surprising turns, the way is not unexpected to God. He knows what is happening and why. All He calls you to do is to trust Him. Walk in confidence knowing that “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Lord, thank You for leading me to the center of Your will.
Help me to see Your hand in everything that comes my way
as I follow You today. Amen.
Although you might not know exactly where God’s will is taking you, you can trust God to watch over and stay with you. And even though life may take surprising turns, the way is not unexpected to God. He knows what is happening and why. All He calls you to do is to trust Him. Walk in confidence knowing that “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Lord, thank You for leading me to the center of Your will.
Help me to see Your hand in everything that comes my way
as I follow You today. Amen.
July 1, 2014
Do You Have 12 Minutes?
You think you are too busy to read your Bible? Do you have 12 minutes?
It takes 70 hours and 40 minutes to read your Bible out loud.
It takes 52 hours and 20 minutes to read the Old Testament.
It takes 18 hours and 20 minutes to read the New Testament.
It takes less than 12 minutes a day to read your Bible in a year.
The Speaker's Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck, Kregel, 1997, p.38
The issue is not time, but desire. Desire will make the time. Let's face it, you don't think reading your Bible is worth even 12 minutes of your day!
It takes 70 hours and 40 minutes to read your Bible out loud.
It takes 52 hours and 20 minutes to read the Old Testament.
It takes 18 hours and 20 minutes to read the New Testament.
It takes less than 12 minutes a day to read your Bible in a year.
The Speaker's Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck, Kregel, 1997, p.38
The issue is not time, but desire. Desire will make the time. Let's face it, you don't think reading your Bible is worth even 12 minutes of your day!
Favoritism
It seems that no matter what our status in life is, there are others who are better looking, wealthier, and more talented than we are…and there are always others who “fall beneath us” in some way. It seems like we spend our lives looking up at some and down on others.
The truth is that there is no positive side of favoritism. That’s why James points us to a better – a glorious – standard. That standard of impartiality and equality is set by Jesus and presented by James in a way we can understand…
If there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:2-4)
God extended His love toward you by sending His Son to die for your sins and redeem you.
So, the message is clear, isn’t it? You are not honoring God and living His way if you treat anyone with partiality or favoritism. Always remember such behavior is contradictory and incompatible with your salvation — by the grace of God, without partiality.
The truth is that there is no positive side of favoritism. That’s why James points us to a better – a glorious – standard. That standard of impartiality and equality is set by Jesus and presented by James in a way we can understand…
If there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:2-4)
God extended His love toward you by sending His Son to die for your sins and redeem you.
So, the message is clear, isn’t it? You are not honoring God and living His way if you treat anyone with partiality or favoritism. Always remember such behavior is contradictory and incompatible with your salvation — by the grace of God, without partiality.
June 26, 2014
Living as Good Samaritans
Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’”
—Luke 10:30-36
Some Christians have the mistaken idea that unbelievers are “the enemy.” As a result, they have little or nothing to do with them.
In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36), the Samaritan did not see the wounded Jew as his enemy, even though the Jews of that day were hostile toward Samaritans. Rather, the robbers were the enemy, and the wounded Jew was a victim. We rightly view victims of tragedy with empathy and concern. So why don’t we view the unbelievers around us in the same way? They are the victims of Satan and sin (2 Timothy 2:26), and they can’t help themselves (Romans 3:10-18).
Pray for unbelievers and show you care for them. Take every opportunity to be their friend and neighbor.
Jesus, have I passed by any victims lately? Open my eyes and show me someone today who needs my prayers, my time, my caring attention. Keep me from labeling victims as enemies. Amen.
—Luke 10:30-36
Some Christians have the mistaken idea that unbelievers are “the enemy.” As a result, they have little or nothing to do with them.
In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36), the Samaritan did not see the wounded Jew as his enemy, even though the Jews of that day were hostile toward Samaritans. Rather, the robbers were the enemy, and the wounded Jew was a victim. We rightly view victims of tragedy with empathy and concern. So why don’t we view the unbelievers around us in the same way? They are the victims of Satan and sin (2 Timothy 2:26), and they can’t help themselves (Romans 3:10-18).
Pray for unbelievers and show you care for them. Take every opportunity to be their friend and neighbor.
Jesus, have I passed by any victims lately? Open my eyes and show me someone today who needs my prayers, my time, my caring attention. Keep me from labeling victims as enemies. Amen.
June 24, 2014
Anna — Serving the Lord
Anna was a woman whose life was touched by darkness. Her own dear husband had died after only seven years of marriage. In the intervening years, 84-year-old Anna had daily looked for help and redemption from the Lord. Then, on one particular day, the Light of the world entered the temple of the Lord where Anna was devoutly serving the Lord. Mary arrived, carrying the long-awaited Christ Child in her arms—the One who would dispel the world’s darkness. And Anna was there… and her life—and yours!—would never be the same.
Luke 2:37 tells us that in all the time of her widowhood, Anna “did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Anna the widow might have been tempted to live a lonely life, but she chose a life of service to the Lord instead. And her long-term faith was definitely rewarded! For she was there to see the Christ Child—her Savior—finally come at last. Upon seeing Him, Anna “gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
Anna was devout—she lived at the temple.
Anna was a witness—she saw her long-awaited Lord face-to-face.
Anna was an encourager—she spoke of her Lord to all those who would listen.
A life of faith has many aspects, and in the widow Anna we witness a life of steadfast hope and faithful worship, prayer, and service. Anna shows you and me vividly, the winning combination of qualities that make up a heart of humility! Are you one who seeks to lift up, encourage, and restore those who are cast down? To speak a timely word of ever-burning faith in God to those who are weary is indeed a divine art!
Luke 2:37 tells us that in all the time of her widowhood, Anna “did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Anna the widow might have been tempted to live a lonely life, but she chose a life of service to the Lord instead. And her long-term faith was definitely rewarded! For she was there to see the Christ Child—her Savior—finally come at last. Upon seeing Him, Anna “gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
Anna was devout—she lived at the temple.
Anna was a witness—she saw her long-awaited Lord face-to-face.
Anna was an encourager—she spoke of her Lord to all those who would listen.
A life of faith has many aspects, and in the widow Anna we witness a life of steadfast hope and faithful worship, prayer, and service. Anna shows you and me vividly, the winning combination of qualities that make up a heart of humility! Are you one who seeks to lift up, encourage, and restore those who are cast down? To speak a timely word of ever-burning faith in God to those who are weary is indeed a divine art!
