Category: Strength for Today

2 Timothy 1:16
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:”

Paul was obviously bound in prison, and it is very evident that he did not have many people who would come and see him. We don’t know much about Onesiphorus, but the one thing we do know about him is that he was willing to help the Apostle Paul when others were not willing. He was willing to be an encouragement to someone who was considered an outcast when others would not do so. It was the very act of regularly visiting the Apostle Paul that encouraged him to keep on going for the LORD.

Christianity needs more people like Onesiphorus who are willing to refresh those who are bound. There are people bound by various circumstances who truly are lonely and would love for someone to take interest in them. There are those who are bound by past sins that need someone to refresh them. There are some who are presently in prison that need someone not to be ashamed of helping them. There are some who are not considered the “in crowd” who need someone to love them in spite of their differences. There are some who have been thrown out by the religious crowd because of their strong stand for truth who need to know someone truly cares for them. The Onesiphorus Christian will be one who is not afraid to identify with those who are bound.

It is this type of Christianity that truly identifies one with Christ. You may recall that one of the things for which Jesus was criticized was that He was a friend of sinners. Matthew 11:19 says, “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners…” When others wouldn’t befriend the sinner, Jesus was willing to be with them so that He could restore and refresh them. If a Christian truly wants to be like Christ then they should not be afraid to befriend the sinner; the one who nobody else will have anything to do with.

My friend, there are many people all around you who you could refresh if you were not afraid of what others would say about you. Let me ask you a question, if the fallen Christian can’t come to our church to be restored or refreshed, then where are they supposed to go to get restored? I’m afraid too many Christians have become like the Pharisees who look down on those who have fallen in sin. Why is it that you will accept those who recently got saved who committed the same sin as the fallen Christian, but you won’t accept the fallen Christian? The same grace that saves the lost is the same grace that can restore the fallen Christian.

There are many all about you who are bound by different chains that you could restore if you were not afraid to be identified with them. Let this devotional be a challenge to be a refresher to those who are bound. It may one day be your child who needs someone to refresh them. You could one day be the one who needs refreshing. Before that unfortunate day comes, be the one who is not afraid to refresh those who are bound. You never know what your constant encouragement will do for those who are bound. It is always better to be the one who stands on the side of refreshing those who are bound than to stand on the side of the critic of those who are bound. You have a choice, be a critic or be a refresher. If you want to be like Christ, you will choose to be the refresher.

Hosea 3:2
“So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:”

This is not the usual love story. This is not the dream that a young girl wants to live out, but the love story in the Book of Hosea is an important love story. It is about a man whom God told to go and marry a harlot. Hosea obeyed and he loved her, but she wanted to go back and become a harlot. She left him and went back to her adulterous ways. Yet, when others would have left her and divorced her, the love of Hosea moved him to buy her back, even after all the shame she had brought to him.

This is the type of love God’s people should have for each other. Anytime you enter into any type of relationship, you are entering into a risk that you could be hurt. When a man and woman choose to get married, there is a risk that the spouse will hurt the other. When a person chooses to go to a church, there is no doubt that you are entering a relationship that could likely cause hurt. It doesn’t matter what type of relationship it is, there is always the risk of hurt. When you realize that hurt may happen as you enter a marriage relationship, business partnership or just a normal friendship, you can keep yourself from becoming disappointed.

Moreover, when you enter a relationship because of your love for the person and not for what they can do for you, then when the hurt comes you will still want to be involved in that relationship. The strongest relationships are not ones where you seek to get what you can get out of it, but the strongest relationships are ones where you love them for who they are. Friend, whenever you enter a relationship you have to understand that you are going to discover weaknesses, but true love will help you overcome those discoveries. Married couples will eventually discover each others weaknesses, but that should not cause them to end the relationship. When a person joins a church, they are going to discover the weaknesses of that church, but that shouldn’t cause them to run to another church. True love does not seek for itself; rather, it seeks for the other.

My question that I want to pose is this, what is the line that you will not cross in restoring a relationship? Hosea’s wife left him and committed adultery with several men, yet he took her back. This is in no way saying that it was easy, but his love for his wife enabled him to do this. When the other person in a relationship shames you, are you willing to take them back? True love may not enjoy being shamed, but it will never let shame hold them back from loving.

Furthermore, how deep will your love be hurt before you choose to stop loving someone? I know this is a rhetorical question because love never ends, but many people have severed relationships over hurts. A church hurts them, so they quit that church or completely quit going to church. A person has been hurt by their spouse, so they run and get a divorce. True love is willing to be hurt for the sake of helping the other person.

Let your line of love be like our Saviour’s Who in spite of what we did to Him, He still loved us. Strive to get to the point in every relationship that no matter what someone does to you, your love will compel you to take them back.

1 Timothy 3:12
“Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”

How well children behave is often how parents are judged. Fair or unfair, this is reality. I can remember as a boy when we had missionaries come to present their ministry to our church, one of the guidelines we used to determine whether or not to support them was how their children acted. Though a person cannot control what their children do after they leave home, they are to be in control of their children while they are rearing them.

For those who think this philosophy is unfair, you must realize that God used this same guideline for deacons and pastors. God says, “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” God made it very clear that if a man cannot rule his children or house well, then they should not hold the office of deacon. God gave this requirement so that every parent would learn to rule their children. If you are going to rule your children, then there are some simple things you can do to accomplish this.

First, be a parent who is present with your children. One of the definitions of the word “ruling” means “to stand before.” In other words, it is the parent’s responsibility to know what their children are doing. You should know who your children have as friends. You should know what they have in their bedrooms. You should make sure they are doing what you tell them to do. Ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to parenting. Every parent should know whom their children befriend and what they are doing at all times.

Second, set clear guidelines as to what you expect from your children. You cannot rule if there are no guidelines. One of the problems I see in many homes is that there are no clear guidelines for the children. They need to know when they are in public that you expect them to behave properly. They need to know what they can and cannot watch on television. They need to know how they can and cannot act towards their parents and authority. They should know what time they are to be home every night. If they don’t have clear guidelines, then they will constantly frustrate you.

Third, rule them by training them. In other words, the parent should show the child how to act. You shouldn’t tell them that they have to live one way and you live another. The best lesson a child can learn is by watching their parents do what they are supposed to do. You have no right to punish your children if you have not trained them to do something. One of the reasons a child is provoked to wrath is because they are frustrated because they don’t know what to do or how to do something. Furthermore, be consistent with what you tell them to do. Don’t let them get by with something one time and then punish them next time they do it. Ruling your children well means that you are consistent with what you train them to do.

These three thoughts are by no means the only things a parent should do, but these three things are important to ruling your children. You may not be a pastor or deacon, but you should be in such control of your children that you qualify. Being a parent is not easy, but it is very rewarding if you learn to rule your children well. The benefit of ruling your children well is a great relationship with your children that has little stress.

Proverbs 15:15
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

As I walked around the corner from a hallway the lady at the front desk said to me, “I heard you coming.” I was curious as to how she knew that it was me, so I asked her how she knew this. She responded, “You have a happy laugh that sets you apart from my other customers.” She said, “You have a way of brightening someone’s day with your laughter.”

That is exactly what God was talking about when He talks about having a merry heart. Three times in the Book of Proverbs we are told about the affects of a merry heart. A merry heart most certainly affects one’s own countenance. There are many Christians who need to let their face know what happened in their heart when they got saved. Moreover, a merry heart will also have a good outlook on life no matter what one may face. God says, “…a merry heart hath a continual feast.” In other words, it doesn’t matter what you face, if you have a merry heart you will still have a good outlook. Furthermore, a merry heart helps others have a better day. God says a merry heart is like medicine. If you have a merry heart, then you will help brighten another’s day in their tough times.

If a merry heart has these affects on a person and on others, then how do we get this merry heart? First, you get a merry heart by being at peace above. In other words, you will never have a merry heart if you are not right with God. First, you must be saved. It is hard to be right with God if you are not saved. Second, you need to be sure you are living according to the Word of God. When you are right with God, it will most certainly affect your heart and cause you to be at peace above.

Second, you get a merry heart by being at peace within. Not only must you be right with God, but you need to be right with yourself. Stop comparing yourself with others and be at peace with who you are. God made you the way you are, and when you accept yourself for who God made you to be then you will not find it hard to have a merry heart. Stop comparing your physical features to others and accept yourself the way you are. Stop comparing your talents with others and accept your own talents or lack there of. You will only get a merry heart if you are at peace within.

Third, you get a merry heart by being at peace without. When you are not right with others, you will find it hard to have a merry heart. Nobody’s presence should ever trouble you. If you have wronged someone and haven’t got it right, then if you are going to have a merry heart you must get that wrong right. A merry heart is a result of knowing that there is nobody with whom you are not comfortable with their presence because of an action you have done.

Do you have a merry heart? You live in a world that needs someone who faces life with a merry heart. You will influence more people for God if you have a merry heart. The only way you will have a merry heart is if you are at peace above, within and without. When you are at peace in all three of these areas, you will find that a merry heart will come naturally. You will find that with a merry heart the places you go will be brightened because of your presence.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

This is no conspiracy, you are being watched. There is someone watching everything you do. There is no technology you can purchase that will keep from being watched. There is no place you can go without being seen. Simply put, wherever you go, you are not safe from being watched. There are three things they see you do.

First, they see your work of faith. These who are watching you see you go soul winning week in and week out. They see you faithfully teach your Sunday school class. They see you go to the nursing home ministry or the jail ministry and never get one word of appreciation. You may feel like nobody sees what you are doing for the LORD, but the verse above teaches that your work of faith is being watched.

Second, they see your labour of love. These who are watching you see you help those who have nobody to help them. They see you put money into someone’s hand to help them in their time of need. They watch you wake up late at night to go visit them in the hospital. They see your love being given without one pat on the back. You may think that you are loving in vain, but your love is being watched.

Third, they see your patience of hope. They see you continually work with someone in hopes that they will turn out right. They see you continually help someone who has failed over and over again because you believe eventually they will turn their life around. They see you believe in those whom everyone else has given up on. Though you may at times feel that nobody really appreciates what you do, let me remind you that you are being watched.

Who is watching you? First, God is watching you. You have to believe that God sees everything you do. Though at times you may wonder if God really sees what you are doing to help others and to further His cause, you cannot lose the reality that He is watching.

Moreover, other Christians are watching. You will notice that Paul said that he was “remembering” these things. You may think you are doing these things in the background and nobody sees what you are doing, but there is someone who is always watching what you do. Someone sees what you do and they are encouraged by your work, labor and hope.

Friend, let me encourage you to never give up. I know that the ministry at times can seem to be thankless, but you will be rewarded if you will continue. God is not a debtor to man, and He will reward you for your continuance of these things in His timing. Your perseverance in these areas is encouraging someone else to continue on. Whenever the time comes when you feel what you are doing is unappreciated, simply turn to this verse and remember that someone is watching.

Daniel 3:28
“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”

People are constantly trying to change society. Unfortunately societies can be changed by those who are sinful as well as they can be changed by those who want to change a society for right; however, the way one changes a society never changes. Those who have a wrong belief system understand what it takes to change a society and are willing to pay that dear price. If Christians are ever going to change their society then they also are going to have to be willing to pay that same price.

In the verse above, there were three young men who were willing to pay the price to change their society. These three young men will forever be remembered because of the sacrifice they were willing to pay and the impact it had upon their society. If you want to change your society, then you are going to have to pay the same price these men paid.

First, you change societies by not fearing to be different. These men wouldn’t eat like everyone else because God had told them not to eat the meat that was sacrificed to idols. You will never change a society by trying to identify with them. Too many Christians are trying to make an impact on society by compromising their Christian values to be more like society. You never change a society when you try to be like them. You can’t change something when you are like them. You can only change someone when you are different. When you are not afraid to be different, then you have taken the first step toward changing your society.

Second, they changed their society by standing alone. They were not trying to get along with everyone, but they were only trying to please God. Only God can change a society for right. If you are going to make an impact on your society, then you must be willing to stand alone. If you must always be accepted by the crowd, then you will never have an influence on your society. There are times when you will have to take an unpopular stance, but that is what changes societies.

Third, they changed their society by yielding their bodies for right. What is the price tag you put on how far you will go to obey truth? These men were willing to die for right. You will never change a society until you are willing to yield your body for right. I’m not talking about doing something foolish that causes you to die for a cause, but I’m talking about being willing to sacrifice all for the sake of Christ. That is what changes societies.

You change societies by starting to influence those around you. You will never change society if you don’t work on changing the society in your own home, church or workplace. Do you have what it takes to change your society? This world will only be influenced for Christ when people like you are willing to be different and take a stand for right at all costs.

Philippians 1:9
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”

The Apostle Paul began this letter to the church in Philippi by telling them his prayers for them. You find in his prayers the desires he has for these people. When you look at his desires for these Christians, you see how God desires every Christian to live. Let me show you these desires God has for you.

First, God desires that your “love may abound.” One of the greatest attributes of every Christian should be love. Love is what moved God to send His Son to die for mankind. Love is what moved Jesus to come to Earth to be our substitute for sin. Love is truly the key to the Christian life. When you lack in love, you will lack the ability to restore the fallen. When you lack in love, you will lack with your outreach to the lost world. Love is what allows you to get along with people whom sin has broken. If there is one area where you should ask God to help you grow it should be in the area of your love for one another. God’s desire is that your love for others would abound.

Second, God desires that you will “approve things that are excellent.” In other words, God desires that the Christian’s discernment grows. It is good to have the love of God in your life, but you must let discernment temper your love. The person without discernment will allow their love for people to change where they stand for Christ. Certainly, God wants the Christian to be filled with love, but He also wants them to have the discernment to know what is right and wrong. This discernment will keep you from getting involved with people with whom you should have no association.

Third, God desires that you are “sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” In other words, God wants you to live a life in such a manner that nobody can point their finger at you for doing wrong. That means that you must be sure that you are right with your fellow man. Because we are sinners, we are going to have times when we do others wrong, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get it right. When you have wronged someone, you are to get things right. Sincerity of heart will help you to right your wrong. When you know you have wronged someone, then sincerity will move you to do everything in your power to get it right. This is what allows you to live a life without “offence.”

Fourth, God desires that you are “filled with the fruits of righteousness.” In other words, what does your life produce? We all produce something in our life, and God’s desire is that your life produces righteousness. Are you living a life of righteousness or are you living a life of sin? Righteous acts produce righteous fruits. You will never have “fruits of righteousness” until you determine to live your life for others. Don’t live a self-centered life, but live the selfless life that does whatever it can to help others.

Are you fulfilling God’s desire for your life? These four things will bring peace to every home. These four things will cause every person in the workplace to work together. These four things will cause every Christian in the church to get along with each other. Make it your daily goal to fulfill God’s desire for your life, and when you do, you will find that you will live a fulfilling life.

Ezekiel 44:23
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”

One of the greatest voids in Christianity today is holiness. We live in times when many have tried to redefine holiness to the detriment of churches, nations and lives. Society has tried to silence those who preach holiness. Those who preach and teach holiness have been portrayed as dividers and problem makers. Yet, this still doesn’t change the fact that God demands His people to be holy. In the verse above, God shows how to develop a holy people.

First, God wants a difference. Notice that God says, “…teach my people the difference…” God’s cry is not for unity, but His cry is for a difference. Too many times people are trying to take the difference away for the sake of getting along, when God makes it clear that there must be a difference. If we are going to fellowship with a holy God, then there must be a difference.

Second, God wants the difference identified. Notice that God says to teach them the difference between “the holy and profane…” Notice that God wanted them to discern the difference between “the unclean and the clean.” Someone has to identify what is right and wrong if there is going to be a difference. You can call this judgmental all you want, but God says the difference must be identified.

Third, God wants the difference taught. Notice that God says, “And they shall teach my people…” It is not good enough just to make the difference and identify the difference, but the difference must be taught by spiritual leaders and parents. Pastors who won’t preach the difference are derelict of their duties. Sadly, there are many preachers today who have chosen large crowds over responsibility. The difference must be clearly identified and taught even if it seems to be judgmental. Likewise, parents need to teach their children this difference if they want them to know the difference.

Fourth, God knew the division would create strife and division. God completely understood that when you identify and teach the difference between the “holy and profane” that those who are not living a holy life would not like it; however, you are to do right even if people get upset. God’s not as interested in unity as He is holiness. You can always expect strife and division whenever one teaches holy living.

Fifth, God expects this difference to be lived. This is not a choice but a command of God. Holy living may not always be politically correct, but it will always put the Christian in favor with God. Society may look down on those who live a holy life, but God will shine His kindness on those who live the holy life. It is good to identify and teach the difference God expects, but this will do no good if you don’t live it.

Are those you lead being developed into a holy people? Parents, are you developing holy children? Pastor, are you developing holy Christians? This will never be easy or popular, but it is right. There will be no conviction in the lost until the difference is identified, taught and lived.

Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”

Many people desire position for the wrong reason. Many people desire position for the prestige of the position instead of the opportunity that position brings. There are many young men who desire to pastor a church for the sake of seeing their name on the desk or door of their office. Many youth desire to have leadership positions for the sake of having the luxuries and honor that come with that position. If the truth be told, there are leaders who are simply serving their position instead of serving the people.

In the verse above, God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel because they served themselves and their position instead of serving the people. God didn’t give the shepherds of Israel their position so they could pad their coffers, but He gave them their position so they could help those they served. These shepherds were to seek the lost, feed the sheep, bring back those who were driven away, strengthen the sick and protect the flock from the beast of the field. Instead, they led with cruelty to get from the flock what they wanted. They fed themselves instead of feeding the flock. When you look at these shepherds, they were not serving the flock. They were serving their position.

Every leader must be careful not to use their position to feed themselves, but they must use their position to feed those they serve. You don’t acquire position so you can serve yourself. You were given that position by God to be sure that the needs of those whom you were sent to serve are met. You are to do everything in your power to be sure that the needs of those you serve are met.

Husbands, your job is not to serve yourself, but your job is to serve your wife and family. It is your responsibility to be sure that the bills are paid and that there is food on the table. You shouldn’t be looking to the government to meet the needs of your family, because you are to make sure that you do everything in your power to meet their needs.

Parents, your job is not to make your children serve you. Your job is to make sure their needs are met. This does not mean that you are to do everything for your children, but what it means is that you are to make sure their spiritual, physical and mental needs are met. Your responsibility is to meet their needs of love. Your responsibility is to make sure they are clothed and are being cared for physically. Your responsibility is to make sure your children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.

Whether you are a pastor, church staff member, plant supervisor, politician or public servant, you are to serve others and not your position. You are not given position to abuse those whom you serve, but you were given your position to make sure their needs are met. You are not to serve your title, but you are to use your title to serve others.

Are you serving your position or are you using your position to serve others? God holds you accountable by how you meet their needs. Make it your daily prayer as a leader to ask God to help you see the needs of those you serve and provide the wherewithal to make sure those needs are met.