Category: Strength for Today

Acts 21:21
“And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.”

We often fall prey to the critics who say that those who stand firmly on the old paths are so divisive. They often say that if we would stop being so divisive that we could all get along. Sadly, their cry for unity is simply a ploy to destroy us.

Throughout history there has always been those who were called divisive for their strong stand for the old paths. When J. Frank Norris died, the famous independent Baptist pastor who pastored two large churches at one time, his haters said that because the divider had died that maybe they could all get along. When Jack Hyles died, the famed pastor who built the largest Sunday school, many of those who hated his strong stand said that we could finally get along because the instigator of division died. These who hate the strong stand for the old paths will always call those who perpetuate that stand as a divider.

However, this call for unity has been debunked in the Scripture. When Paul arrived at the church in Jerusalem, the Christians gladly received him. After their greetings, James addressed Paul’s strong stand against the error of the modern religious leaders. They told Paul that if he would just take the Jewish vow, he could prove that their criticisms were false. They said in verse 24, if he took the Jewish oath that all “those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.” Paul’s critics said that the “multitude must needs come together…” Paul listened to their call for compromise but quickly found out that compromise still didn’t unify him with the critics.

Friend, moving never wins. The critics of the old paths can cry that we need to stop being divisive, but you will never win by moving. You must always understand that the first person who moves is the one who loses. You may try to get along by backing off on your strong stand, but you will soon find out that they will move further away even if you move.

Moreover, the critic’s goal is your destruction. When Paul moved, they were not happy that he kept the Jewish vow as they did; instead, their whole goal was to see him killed. You have to understand that, to the enemy, who you are represents the personal stand you have taken. You can reach out in an attempt to get along, but you will find that they will never reach back. Their goal is your destruction. Their mentality is that if you are destroyed, they can then prove that you were not right.

What is the answer? The answer is to continue to stand for truth. Stop listening to the critics voices who demand you tone down the rhetoric and keep standing for truth. There must always be a voice in the wilderness that cries aloud for the old paths. My friend, I truly understand that the critic’s voice is never palatable. I understand the desire that they would accept you, but you must understand that it will never happen. If you changed, you would prove their point that what you believe is wrong. If the old paths are right, and they are, you must continue to stand in spite of the critics call for unity. If your stand for right causes division, so be it. Your continued stand is the only thing that will keep the old paths alive in this present generation.

Acts 13:10
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”

Have you ever heard of someone accused of bending the rules? To bend the rules would be to twist what they say for the sake of not being guilty of breaking them. The only reason a person would bend the rules is for personal gain.

It is a powerful indictment for God to describe Elymas as a person who perverts “the right ways of the Lord.” To “pervert” something means to distort, twist or corrupt. In other words to “pervert the right ways of the Lord” means that someone is twisting, distorting or corrupting His ways. Elymas the sorcerer perverted the ways of the LORD for his personal gain; however, what God describes as perverting the “right ways” is not what most people would expect. God shows four ways Elymas perverted His ways.

First, he perverted them through subtlety. In other words, he was very deceitful in his actions. He didn’t pervert these ways openly, but he hid the truth from those whom he influenced. My question for you would be, are you perverting the right ways by being deceitful? Christians ought to be people who are not secretive about what they are doing. For instance, in my home there are two words that we live by to keep deceit from destroying it. Those two words are: “no secrets.” This brings me to question you; are you withholding something from your spouse or parents? Christians should be transparent in their actions. Anything that must be done in secret is founded in deceit and is wrong.

Second, he perverted the right ways through mischief. The word “mischief” means, to hurt others through playful misbehavior. In other words, Elymas used teasing words to hurt the Gospel. You must be careful with the words you use. Words are powerful, and when the words you say are hurtful, you are guilty of perverting the right ways. Be careful about tearing people down in a playful manner. Moreover, you don’t have to belittle people to fight sin. Degrading people because they commit sin is not what the LORD would have you do. Call sin what it is, and let the Scriptures do the work in the heart of the individual.

Third, he perverted the right ways by not being saved. Elymas was called a “child of the devil.” Let me ask you, are you saved? Are you portraying to be saved, but inside know you are not. Don’t be like Elymas who portrayed to be a religious person, but was knowingly lost. If you have doubts about your salvation, get them settled. There is no place for a person in the service of the LORD to doubt their salvation. You are perverting the ways of the LORD when you do this.

Fourth, he perverted the right ways by being an “enemy of righteousness.” In other words, he openly worked against the works of God. Many Christians have become an “enemy of righteousness” by fighting the holiness standards God has placed in His Word. Just because you don’t like the standard God established for holiness doesn’t give you a right to fight against it. If you choose to fight against God’s standards, you are fighting against God.

Are you perverting the “right ways” of God? God’s children are to be people of truth. Be careful that you don’t allow yourself to become God’s enemy by allowing these four things into your life.

Psalm 147:5
“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”

If any church is going to be influential and make a powerful impact on their community, they are going to have to do it as a team. A great church has never been built on one personality. Great churches have all been built by a group of people who banded together to do the LORD’s work in reaching the lost for Him. This will never be done if you are solely relying on the pastor; rather, it takes everyone’s involvement to make this happen.

However, part of building a powerful team to reach a community is reliant upon those in leadership and their ability to rally people to follow. The greatest example to show us how to do this is God. The verse above says, “Great is our Lord, and of great power…” The reason these words are mentioned by the Psalmist is found in the preceding verses. The preceding verses show the mentality those in leadership positions must have if they want to build a powerful team so they can reach their community. Let me share with you four actions needed to building a powerful team.

First, you must build people. Verse 2 says, “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem…” You cannot use people to build your work, but you must use your work to build people. People rally behind individuals who are not in it for themselves. They want to see that you love what they love. Every work in history that God has used greatly had a leader who was totally given to building the church, not for himself, but for the people and the glory of God. Be careful that you don’t become a self-absorbed leader; instead, be a selfless leader who builds people.

Second, love the unwanted. Verse 2 continues by saying, “…he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” The church ought to be a place where the “outcasts” can come and put their lives back together. You will build a following of people who will give their lives for you if you will put their lives back together after sin has destroyed them. King David built a great following with the “outcasts of Israel.” If you will seek the outcasts and help them to do something with their lives, you will find a loyal people who will help you build God’s work.

Third, help the hurting. Verse 3 says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Nothing wins the hearts of individuals over like a person who helps people when they are hurting. Don’t get so busy that you are not there when people are going through rough times in their lives. The leader who is present when a heart is broken is the leader who will build a powerful team. It won’t always be convenient to be there when people are hurting, but you will be rewarded greatly because people tend never to forget your presence in their time of need.

Fourth, know people personally. Verse 4 says, “…he calleth them all by their names.” Don’t let people just be a face, but know them personally. The greatest leaders are ones who spend time getting to know their followers. When you are talking to people, give them your full attention. Don’t let anything sidetrack you from who you are talking to. Get to know the personal needs of each person so you will know how to help them. You will be rewarded immeasurably if you learn to take the time to learn about people as individuals.

John 21:3
“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”

Have you ever had something not turn out in your Christian life the way you thought it would? The disciples certainly faced disappointment when Jesus didn’t set up His kingdom as they thought He would. They were consumed with the fact that Jesus had come to set up His kingdom on Earth, but they were highly disappointed when He was crucified because it didn’t work into their design of what they thought should be done. What did they do when they were disappointed? The verse above shows us when it says, “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing…” At the first sign of disappointment, they went back to the old life.

You are going to face disappointment in your Christian life; there is no way to avoid it. There are going to be times when you have high hopes that God is going to do something, and He doesn’t do it according to your plans. It is what you do at this first sign of disappointment that can determine what God is going to continue doing through your life. The verse above teaches us several lessons as to what we should do at the first sign of disappointment.

First, recognize that God doesn’t have to work according to your plans. God is not obligated to do what you think He should do. He is God, and He knows what is best for you and your life. The sooner you accept that God has His plan for your life, and His plan is better, the sooner you will get over your disappointment. Don’t hold God hostage to your plans; His foreknowledge and providence is always right.

Second, don’t quit what is right. Sadly, the disciples went back to fishing at the first sign of disappointment. There was nothing wrong with fishing, but it was more than that, they were going back to their old life. My friend, the old life didn’t satisfy you in the past, why do you think it will satisfy now that you have been disappointed? When disappointment sets in, don’t let the lure of the old life pull you back.

Third, don’t discourage others with your disappointment. Disappointment is like a disease if you don’t learn to control your emotions and words. Peter pulled the rest of the disciples into his disappointing actions, when he should have kept it to himself and brought his disappointment to God. Instead of discouraging others with your disappointment, you should talk to God about it because He is the only one who can change your situation. If you discourage others, they may never recover from it, even if you do. When disappointment happens, keep it to yourself and let your release be the closet of prayer.

Fourth, keep doing right, Jesus will show up. Verse 4 says, “But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore…” It would have been better had Jesus caught the disciples doing right instead of going back to the old life. Christian, morning is going to come, and Jesus will stand at the shore of your life. The question is, how will He catch you? Will He catch you running back to the old life, or will He catch you continuing to do right? Your desire should be that He catches you doing right.

Disappointment is going to happen in life. Don’t let the disappointment drive you back to the old life, but keep your hope in the fact that morning will come, and Jesus will show up. When He shows up, let Him find you doing what is right.

John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

I’m afraid we often get the purpose of life and the ministry mixed up. It is very easy to get our priorities turned around; however, God made the priority quite simple. As long as our priorities are right, life will be filled with joy, and the ministry will produce and effective impact on those to whom we minister.

The verse above comes from the parable of the good shepherd. When you read the parable, you will find that the sheep are safe as long as they are with the shepherd. However, in this parable, there are three groups of people who have an interest in the sheep. One thing is very clear; it is all about the sheep. Let me show you the three groups so that you can determine which classification you fall under.

The first group is the wolves. Verse 12 says, “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.” You will notice that the wolf desires the sheep for one thing: to devour and scatter. The wolf doesn’t care for the sheep, the only thing the wolf cares for is itself. Sadly, there are those in the Christian life whose whole interest is themselves and what they can get out of others. No leader should be out for their personal interests or gain because it is not about you, it’s about the sheep. You need to get out of the ministry if your whole purpose is to see what you can gain. The only thing a wolf leader does is they hurt Christians, and they scatter the flock of God.

The second group is the hireling. The hireling cares for the sheep as long as there is no difficulty. Verse 12 says that the hireling “seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth.” This leader is one who quits when times get difficult. This leader may on the surface seem to care for people, but in reality, this leader is still self-centered. My friend, the ministry is not easy. There are going to be battles in the ministry, but you cannot allow battles to keep you from taking care of those whom God has placed under your care.

The third group is the shepherd. The shepherd is all about one thing: the sheep. When danger comes, he stands between his sheep and the danger. When the hireling flees, he does everything in his power to keep the sheep safe. The reason is that he cares for them. Verse 14 says that the shepherd knows the sheep, and they know him. He spends his life with them. The shepherd is truly what God wants as the mindset for the Christian.

Let me ask you, what kind of leader are you? You will only make an impact on others if your life is truly about helping them become what God wants them to be. I believe the one key element to making this happen is that you must spend time with them. The shepherd knows the sheep because he spends time with them. You cannot become so desirous of position that you stop caring for those you lead if you get it.

Christian, let me encourage you to lay aside the CEO mindset that only shows up when you are on stage. Take on the shepherd Christian mindset that is willing to be inconvenienced so that you can help others. This is where you will find true joy in the ministry.

John 5:19
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

Many children love to play the game, follow the leader, where one child is proclaimed the leader, and the rest follows everything they do. Many parents don’t realize that children often learn how to live life by following their parent’s footsteps. Much like the follow the leader game, whether nor not children realize it, they follow what their parents do; however, following the leader in parenting is not a game. Your children are copying your habits, whether good or bad.

I remember as a boy, I would often walk in my dad’s footsteps whenever it snowed. Since becoming a parent myself, I have watched my daughter copy my wife or me in many things that we do. Whether it is consciously or subconsciously that she does this, my wife and I carry a great responsibility to be sure that we give her the right example to follow.

Jesus enforced this truth in the verse above. He says, “…The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do…” Jesus said that He copied what He saw the Father do in Heaven. Whatever example the Father gave Him in Heaven is what He did when He came to Earth. Following the Leader wasn’t a game, it was an eternity. If the Father had given Jesus a bad example, nobody would have the opportunity to get saved. There are several thoughts that parents should remember concerning this truth.

Parents, your children are watching you. You may think that your children don’t see what you are doing, but they do. Many of your bad habits were acquired as a young child when you copied what you saw your parents do. They thought that you were not watching, but you were. Just like your parents didn’t know how closely you watched them, your children are watching and learning from you, and what you teach them they will perform in life when they leave home. You had better be careful what example you are giving them to follow.

Moreover, what your children are learning from you will affect others. You never know what your children will become once they leave home, but one thing you must realize is that they will influence people you don’t even know. You are literally influencing a future generation beyond your children. The gravity of this truth should cause you to stop and ponder what you need to change. This truth should cause you to ask yourself what you are doing that could influence future generations for wrong.

Furthermore, parenting your children is not a game, it is life. You may think it is humorous for your children to mimic your wrong actions in front of you, but they are only showing you what they will become. The only difference between you and your children is that your children will take what you do to another level. Would you want your children to take your bad habits and sins to another level?

My friend, your children are living, follow the leader. Every day you live you should ask the Holy Spirit to help you live in such a manner that your children will only learn good habits from your life. Parenting is not a game; it is life. Change whatever you need to change so they have good habits to copy.

Luke 17:10
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

Attitude is the key factor which determines your quality of enjoying life. Many people have reached what some would deem a success, but their attitude kept them from truly enjoying their accomplishments. Other people who have never acquired position, but have done their job well and influenced others, seem to enjoy life to its fullest because they have a great attitude. The difference between the two is their attitude towards life and how they perceive themselves.

God wants His children to have a servant’s attitude. The Christian life will never be fully enjoyed until you decide to be a servant to all. In the verse above, God shows the attitude He wants His children to have. He taught the parable of the unprofitable servants, and in this parable are four attitudes these servants had that made them successful and allowed them to enjoy what they were doing. Let me share with you these four attitudes that you must have if you want to enjoy what you do for the LORD.

First, the servant’s attitude is one that never complains. You never one time see these servants complaining about what their master asked them to do; they just did it. You will never enjoy life if you complain about everything. The only reason you complain is because you think you can do it better. Complaining is an indicator that you don’t respect those in leadership. You will never complain if you see yourself as a servant. The Christian who complains is saying that they can run their life better than God. Don’t let this be your mentality.

Second, the servant’s attitude is one that serves others. These servants completely disregarded their own agenda to serve others. The greatest joy in life is achieved by first serving the LORD, and second by serving others. Your daily perspective to enjoy each day should be to discover what needs you can meet in another’s life. God will take care of your needs if you will make life about serving others.

Third, the servant’s attitude is one that desires no recognition. The servants in these verses never asked for their master to give them recognition; they only did their job because they understood that was their “duty to do.” The Christian life will truly be a miserable life if your whole purpose of doing what you do is to be applauded and recognized by man. The servant doesn’t need recognition because he is a servant, and the Christian shouldn’t need recognition because he is a servant. Take the need for recognition our of the equation for service and you will discover true enjoyment in meeting the needs of others.

Fourth, the servant’s attitude is one that feels unworthy. These servants said, “We are unprofitable servants.” They were honored just to be a servant of their master. Are you honored just to be a servant of the LORD? This is the key factor to enjoying the Christian life. If you feel you deserve recognition and position, you will be disappointed and disgruntled when others get what you desired. You should feel as a Christian that you are blessed just to be a servant of the LORD; anything above serving the LORD is a bonus.

Christian, do you have the servant’s attitude? Your happiness in the Christian life depends on it. Don’t allow selfishness to rob you of the servant’s attitude which is the greatest attitude that leads to enjoying life to its fullest.

Luke 10:42
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The story of Mary and Martha is an intriguing story because we have two sisters whose personalities were certainly different. They were both good ladies, and both of their actions are needed in our churches. Mary chose to worship at the feet of Jesus, and this is very needed. On the other hand, Martha chose to work in the kitchen preparing a meal for the Master. There is nothing wrong with Martha’s choice to stay busy in the kitchen; somebody has to do the behind the scenes work in the church or else nothing will ever get done.

However, the one area where Martha was wrong was in her attitude. You can do everything right, but if your attitude is wrong while you are doing right, your focus will easily be shrouded with selfishness. Martha exhibited four attitudes that every Christian must avoid because they will cause you to miss the very presence of the Saviour and what He wants to do through your life.

The first attitude of Martha was a demanding attitude. Martha actually demanded Jesus to “bid her” to help in the kitchen. You must be careful that you don’t become demanding of the Saviour. No Christian has a right to demand anything from God. Martha was so wrapped up in what she was doing that she allowed her attitude to get out of control to where she became demanding. Don’t acquire the demanding attitude where you demand of the Saviour to answer your prayers or to do something you feel needs to be done. Keep a submissive attitude instead of a demanding attitude, and you will find that the LORD will be more inclined to give you your desires.

Second, Martha had a questioning attitude. Martha was questioning Mary’s motives. Don’t ever fall into the trap of questioning why someone is doing something. I’ve often had people ask me why I think someone is doing something, and my answer is always that I don’t know. Life is too short to question the motives of another’s actions. Why can’t you take their actions or words for what they are? Don’t allow your attitude to become judgmental.

Third, Martha had a temporal attitude. Even though Martha’s actions were not wrong, her attitude towards eternal actions was wrong. The concern for perception always results in the wrong purpose. Let me encourage you not to get so wrapped up in perception that you forget that your whole purpose of serving the LORD is to please Him. Don’t let other’s opinions of you become your goal, but live your life to please the LORD. If you live for the eternal, you won’t ever fall into the trap to live for the perception of the present.

Fourth, Martha had a needless attitude. Jesus said, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part…” Martha was so concerned about working that she forgot to spend time worshipping. Christian, don’t get so busy working that you never spend time with the Saviour. You need that time every day sitting at the feet of Jesus through the Scriptures and prayer so that you can do His work properly.

Do you find yourself with a Martha attitude? The answer to avoiding this attitude is to spend time at Jesus’ feet. Spending time with Jesus always gives you the right attitude so you can keep the right focus for your day.

Psalm 119:57
“Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.”

The psalmist said, “I would keep thy words.” This is a great desire, but desire alone will not make you follow the LORD. At some point, you have to turn desire into action. I have known many people who desired to follow God, but they failed because they never did what it takes to follow Him. In verse 58-63, six things are found that are needed in your life if you are going to follow God successfully.

First, there must be a sincere desire. Verse 58 says, “I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.” Is it your whole hearts desire to follow God, or do you have some restraints on what you will do? You will never successfully follow the LORD unless it is a desire you have with your “whole heart.” You will not successfully serve the LORD half-heartedly. You must commit your whole heart to serving the LORD if you are going to follow Him successfully.

Second, there must be honest introspection. Verse 59 says, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” You will never succeed in following God if you are not honest with yourself. Looking at what you do through the spectacles of honesty will reveal what changes you need to make in your life. Honest introspection is a key to successfully following God.

Third, there must be immediate obedience. Verse 60 says, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Delayed obedience is always disobedience. Don’t wait once you see what you need to change. The best response to the Holy Spirit’s voice is immediate obedience.

Fourth, there must be a proper reaction to adversity. Verse 61 says, “The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.” When hard times come, and they will, don’t stop doing right. You must determine that you are going to do right no matter what comes your way. Adversity is part of the Christian life, and you must determine to continue following God when it comes.

Fifth, there must be grateful retrospection. Verse 62 says, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” The successful Christian is a grateful Christian. Every day you need to spend some time thanking God for what He has done for you. If you are not grateful, you will soon become resentful. Don’t allow discontent to set into your heart. Avoid this by taking time every day to thank the LORD for what He has done for you throughout your day.

Sixth, there must be fitting friendships. Verse 63 says, “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” Be careful with whom you make friends. Be sure your friends have your same desire to follow God. Friends influence appetites. If you want the right appetite for the LORD, you must have the type of friends who feast on His Word and follow Him. Make your friendships ones that fit within the confines of God’s Word. You will never go wrong!

I hope your desire is to follow God. If it is your desire, you will only succeed by following these six secrets from God’s Word. Make these secrets a part of your daily life and you will successfully follow God your whole life.