Bethany Christian Assembly

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

1. LIVE TO WIN AT FAITH.

Therefore—This word links Hebrews 12 to the Hall of Faith, a listing in Hebrews 11 of the legacy of Faith Revolutionaries who demonstrated extraordinary devotion to God. God is saying to us, “Now that we’ve told their story, here is what I want you to do.” Great Cloud “Imagine entering an Olympic stadium and having Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel cheering you on: “Don’t give up! Trust in God! Don’t compromise!” Stand for Christ. Be full of faith. Run to win the applause of Heaven!

2. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS.

Throw off everything that hinders—Olympics runners do not run the race wearing a 100 lb. backpack. What keeps us from running strong? Past hurts, present fears, doubts, relationships, possessions, pleasures, and pursuits need to be surrendered to Christ. Cast all your cares on Him.

The sin that so easily entangles—Think about trying to run with a rope wrapped around both feet! All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but we do not need to live in habitual sin. We can trust God to set us free and give us the power to overcome sin. (1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 1:9)

3. PERSEVERE.

Run with perseverance the race marked out for us—Run your life marathon with perseverance. Run through fatigue, pain, doubt, and the desire to quit. In addition to our individual assignments, we are all called to know God, to grow in God, to serve others, and to share Christ.

4. FOCUS.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus—Jesus will never fail us. He will give us the strength we need.

The joy set before Him—He was joyful in the purchase of our redemption!

Endured the Cross—It was the most brutal form of execution.

Scorning its shame—The cross was a humiliation reserved for the worst of the worst.

Sat down at the right hand of the throne of God—God exalted Jesus in Heaven.

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men—Don’t forget what Jesus did.

Don’t grow weary, don’t lose heart—Never, ever, give up.

May our #1 goal be to live a life of revolutionary faith!

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Our vision and values define who we are and who we will become. Paul fleshed out Hebrews 11 and demonstrated Hebrews 12 in his desire to win at faith, to eliminate distractions, to persevere, and to stay focused. 2 Corinthians 4 gives us Paul’s vision and values that should define us as well.

1. POSITION. (vs. 1-6)

Paul’s primary task was to advance the baton of faith. He made tents, but his life was focused on building God’s church. Regardless of where we work, we are first an ambassador of Christ.

2. PRIVILEGE. (vs. 7)

Paul was overwhelmed with God’s mercy. After all, he had been a Jesus-hater until he (literally!) saw the light. Are we overwhelmed by God’s mercy? Are we in awe of His love?

3. PERSECUTION. (vs. 8, 9; 2 Cor. 6:3-10)

Paul was not a wimp. He wasn’t about to give up over a little adversity. In fact, he said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” To Paul, persecution was to be expected. Stand strong!

4. PERSPECTIVE. (vs. 10,11,13-15; 1 Cor. 15)

Paul knew that this present life will soon end. There is coming a day of resurrection life when we will exchange our mortality for immortality. This is not our home! We are just passing through.

5. PASSION. (vs. 16; 1 Cor. 15; Phil. 3:10-14; 20-4:1)

Inwardly renewed day by day, Paul spent time with Jesus. He kept his internal fires burning white-hot. He kept his eyes on Jesus, and was passionate about the things of God.

6. PURPOSE. (vs. 17; Acts 20:24)

Paul had a job to do. And he was determined to complete his mission. He understood that one day all the challenges of this life would melt away in the presence of the King of Kings.

7. PROMISE. (vs. 18; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8)

Paul lived in anticipation of Heaven. He served and worked and reached out to others with the knowledge that life is short and Heaven is close. Paul was driven by this promise, and it defined him as he served uncompromisingly.

Paul took the Hebrews 11 faith baton, ran hard, and handed it off with conviction. Others ran for Christ with the baton of faith, and now it is our turn! Ask God to help you to be driven by a desire to live for Him with the same vision and values held by Paul and the other heroes of faith.

Hebrews 11:35-40

The life of the revolutionary is a life of sacrifice. To think like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and be like Jesus requires great sacrifice, commitment, and devotion. Jesus exemplified it on the cross. And to join His army, you must be willing to pay the price of self denial, obedience, and service.

1. CONSIDER THE COST. (Luke 14:25-35; 9:23; John 21:15-20)

Large crowds followed Jesus. Some people in those crowds were willing to pay the price to follow Him, and others weren’t. What about you? Realize that as a Christian, you are not your own. You were bought with a price, and your time, talents, and treasure (money) belong to the Lord. You are a manager or steward of God’s property. How are you doing with God’s stuff? Have you given up your personal “rights” for the right to serve, to give, to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to forgive before you are even asked, and to be persecuted for His name? It is about complete and uncompromised surrender. A revolutionary surrenders all for the call! And to those who pay the price, there is a great reward.

2. MAKE THE COMMITMENT. (Luke 5:1-11)

While Jesus was calling the crowds to faith, He was also calling individuals such as Peter, James, and John to follow Him. Jesus performed a miracle before their very eyes, and the men who would become his closest companions left “everything” and “followed Him.” There is no such thing as being partly Christian: You are either a Christ-follower, or you are not. Have you made the commitment to Christ? Commit to holy living, to obeying God’s Word, to serving, and to forsaking sin. Leave your former life, just like the disciples did. Make a fresh start with God. Stand out from the crowd of compromisers. Swim upstream against the current. Sign up for a new way of thinking, a new way of serving, and a new way of living.

3. PASS THE TEST. (Matt. 16:13-20; John 3:30)

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter passed the test when he answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” You and I face the same test: We must all answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” Is He the Christ, the creator of the Cosmos, the Savior of the World, and your King? We owe Him our life and our service. The natural pull of the current is towards self-centeredness, but we must pray like John the Baptist did: “He must increase and I must decrease.” Sacrifice your selfish desires, and use your time and energy to build relationships, serve others, and live a life that demonstrates God’s character.

Matthew 5:1-12

People everywhere want to be happy, but they are looking in all the wrong places. They will try to be happy at the expense of values and relationships, or by making money, or by becoming consumed with their career. But Jesus said that if we want to be happy, we need to internalize the eight most important principles of life found in the Beatitudes, or “beautiful sayings of Jesus,” from The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12. The word used here for “blessed” is the Greek word makarios, which means “happy.” It is not a superficial happiness, but an internal joy based on a relationship with an eternal God.

THE 8 SECRETS

#1—Accurately Assess Yourself—Blessed are the poor in spirit. (Matt. 5:3)

#2—Admit Your Mistakes—Blessed are those who mourn. (Matt. 5:4)

#3—Respect Others—Blessed are the meek. (Matt. 5:5)

#4—Do the Right Thing—Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Matt. 5:6)

#5—Forgive—Blessed are the merciful. (Matt. 5:7)

#6—Question Your Own Motives—Blessed are the pure in heart. (Matt. 5:8)

#7—Promote Peace—Blessed are the peacemakers. (Matt. 5:9)

#8—Live with Conviction—Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. (Matt. 5:10)

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. The Beatitudes describe the behavior of normal Christians.

Some have said that the Beatitudes are goals toward which we are to struggle and strive. Not so. Many Christians settle for a subnormal life, so to become normal seems abnormal to them.

2. Every Beatitude is to be lived out by every Christian.

Don’t accept the idea that some Christians can live some Beatitudes better than others, or that some Beatitudes were meant for some people and not for others.

3. None of the Beatitudes are natural tendencies.

A non-Christian cannot live the Beatitudes. It is impossible. It’s not natural. The Beatitudes were only intended to be lived in the power of the resurrected Christ.

4. The Beatitudes serve as a test to see if we are really Christians.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us how a Christian behaves, and so they serve as a self-examination test. The proof is in the practice, not the profession. A tree is known by its fruit.

5. Jesus listed the Beatitudes in sequential order.

We must first be poor in spirit to understand that God is God and we are not. We can then mourn our mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Meek and respectful, we become hungry for righteousness and more willing to show mercy to others. Pure in heart, we can promote peace and live with conviction, even under persecution.

This is authentic Christianity.

Hebrews 11:33,34

Your beliefs shape your choices, your sense of purpose, your commitments, and how you define fulfillment, meaning, and truth. They also determine your eternal destination. Jesus Revolutionaries believe deeply in God, and that belief transforms the way they live.

1. GOD DESERVES OUR UNCOMPROMISING DEVOTION ALWAYS. (Dan. 1)

Daniel and his three amigos knew that God is awesome. Even though they were taken as political slaves to live in a foreign land, they did not let their circumstances alter their commitment to Him. They stood up to the king in tough times, and God blessed them. What about you? Do you feel stuck and enslaved in some area of your life, with no way out in sight? Have you lost your purpose? Remember that God is awesome, mighty, and holy, and He deserves our uncompromising devotion always, not just when things are going well.

2. GOD IS ALL KNOWING AND WE CAN ALWAYS TRUST HIM. (Dan. 2)

Do you believe that God knows everything about everything? Do you rest in the knowledge that nothing surprises Him, and that He has your best interests at heart? You may not know what the future holds, but you can know Who holds the future. Do what Daniel did when he faced hard times: Put all confidence in the Lord (vs. 16), do not doubt (vs. 17; James 1:6-8), gather a very select prayer team (vs. 18), look for God’s answer (vs. 19; Prov. 3:5,6), and praise God for His faithfulness (vs. 20). Whatever you are concerned about, you can trust in the Lord.

3. GOD CARES INTIMATELY ABOUT US AND IS ALWAYS WITH US. (Dan. 3)

God has a plan. We may not always understand it, but we can always be confident that God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Josh. 1:5; Matt. 28:20). He loves us more than we can comprehend! His way is best, and His purposes are eternal. Who do you look to when you need help? Who are you serving, following, and trusting? God will help us through the fire, and He will be with us in the fire! And even if He does not rescue us (vs. 16-18), we can trust in Him and know that one day we will understand.

4. GOD REWARDS OUR FAITH AND INTEGRITY. (Dan. 6; Luke 9:23;Gal. 2:20)

Daniel had deep conviction in God, and he revered God more than he feared lions. He knew that God is just and holy. God has high standards. He rewards faith and integrity, not compromise and spinelessness. What about you? Are you demonstrating integrity every day? You can’t cut corners on character and expect that to not hurt your family. You can’t lower your standards in front of a holy God and expect that to work in your favor. Be faithful to your promises, and ask God to build your character and strengthen your integrity.

Matt. 5:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Society promotes the idea that we are all incredible, and that the world should revolve around us. It says that our looks, our individuality, our happiness, and living for ourselves are the most important things in life. But Jesus turns everything upside down when He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Happy are those who trust completely in the Lord, for the benefits of the Kingdom are rest, provision, comfort, encouragement, and power.

1. REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NOTHING IN YOURSELF.

We are nothing without God. We are eternally bankrupt on our own merit. In this passage, the word Jesus uses for “poor” means “destitute.” The word “spirit” means the fullness or emptiness of the inner person. When we combine “poor” and “spirit”, we are talking about those who are destitute of themselves, not in material poverty. Jesus is saying, “Blessed are they who have emptied themselves of themselves!”

We are worth something to God because He loves us and knows what we can become; it is because of Him, not because of ourselves (Phil. 2:5ff; Gal. 2:20; Matt. 16:24ff). Salvation and happiness do not come by struggle, but by surrender. We cannot be filled until we are first emptied.

2. REALIZE THAT YOU ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT UPON GOD.

Many people have a faulty perception of themselves. We can be so prideful and self-sufficient, living in a fantasy world. What we need is a true understanding of self, and an honest appraisal of who we are. We need a fresh dose of reality. We must admit we need help. Whether we want to admit it or not, we need God.

To be poor in spirit is to be empty of selfishness. It is to enthrone God as the king of our lives and to allow His goodness to flow out of us. True happiness only comes through knowing God. No doctor can prescribe it, and no pharmacist can fill it. It can’t be found in our own ingenuity, skills, or abilities. Complete, permanent happiness is found only in complete surrender and dependence on the Lord.

3. REALIZE THAT SELF DENIAL ALLOWS GOD TO FLOURISH IN YOUR LIFE.

Jesus is the King in the Kingdom of Heaven. So why do many Christians struggle? Why do many marriages fall short? Why do relationships derail, and why are poor decisions made? Often, it is because people are trying to be king where Jesus is King.

To prioritize the first Beatitude in our lives, we must pray daily that God will empty us of us. We must affirm that we will never mature beyond the first Beatitude on our own power. We must understand that it gets us into the Kingdom, and it is the way of the Kingdom. We must also strengthen our resolve through Bible study and fellowship.

Happy are those who realize they are spiritually destitute without God.

Hebrews 11:32

Samuel’s story demonstrates what I call the “characteristics of the committed.” God is looking for people willing to commit to the cause of Christ! Will you allow Him to use you and your life in His service?

1. DEDICATE YOUR LIFE TO GOD’S SERVICE. (1 Sam 1:1-2:11; Rom. 12:1,2)

The Bible points out that Samuel was dedicated to the Lord’s service from the very beginning. Revolutionaries—people of extraordinary faith—are first servants of God. That is their orientation to life. They are passionate about what God is passionate about, and understand that they belong to God first. Have you dedicated yourself to the Lord? Is your life oriented around God’s service? When you have competing time demands, does God come first or does He get the leftovers? Dedicate yourself to God afresh and anew. Get committed, be committed, and stay committed.

2. ANSWER GOD’S CALL. (1 Sam. 3, 4)

We tend to answer every other call in life. But do we answer God’s call? God is calling you. Are you listening? When God called Samuel, he responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” God used Samuel in a big way, and He has a crucial role for you to play, too. God has called us to obedience, holiness, right living, service, reaching unbelievers, giving, and praying. And He has called us to commitment! What is God asking you to do? What is He asking you to be? Where is He asking you to change? He will enable you to do whatever He has called you to do.

3. GROW STRONG IN THE LORD. (1 Sam. 2:26)

We either grow or shrink. We either get strong or weak. Remember the Revolutionary’s Creed: It is not what happens TO you but what happens IN you that matters most. And what needs to happen in us is that we become more like Jesus Christ. We become people of character and integrity. We grow in wisdom and in favor with God and man. Our faith grows as we bury ourselves in His Word. There is no staying the same, because that leads to spiritual decline and erosion. Feed on God’s Word or die spiritually. Grow strong in the Lord through His Word. Build spiritual muscle.

4. STAND YOUR GROUND AGAINST EVIL. (1 Sam. 7; Matt. 5:13,14; Eph. 6:10-14)

The Philistines and other nations were thoroughly wicked. It was Samuel’s role to rally people to return to God and rededicate their lives to Him. God has always challenged His people to stand their ground against evil. The current of culture is swift and treacherous. Peer pressure can sweep us off our feet. Our society says that anything goes. Many people seek to eliminate the idea of evil. But do not lose your base. Do not be moved off center. Do not be duped. It is not about popularity—it is about the courage to stand for what is right when no one else will.

2 Chron. 7:14"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Matt. 5:4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

This Beatitude almost sounds like a contradiction. Jesus is saying, “Happy are the sad.” But those who mourn will be comforted! The result of mourning is makarios” genuine joy. It is happiness. It is peace, assurance, salvation, and ultimately, Heaven.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MOURN?

1. TO EXPERIENCE HEART-WRENCHING SORROW FOR SIN. The Greek word used here for “mourn” is the strongest word for mourning in all of the Greek language. It is used for mourning for the dead. It’s the passionate lament over a loved one that has been lost. The heart-wrenching sorrow you would feel is the kind of sorrow that we should feel over sin.

2. TO ACKNOWLEDGE SIN AND ITS DEVASTATION To “mourn” is to acknowledge our sinfulness, and the brokenness that it causes in our lives, in our relationship with God, and in our connection with others. But rather than having a contrite heart over their own sinfulness, many people moan that we should shrug off all sinful behavior.

3. TO BE SENSITIVE TO CONVICTION . Thank God for guilt! It is a built-in thermometer that sets off a buzzer in our conscience and helps us know when we are about to be burned. Be sensitive to conviction. Each time you reject the voice of the Holy Spirit, your heart becomes more calloused and insensitive.

4. TO DESPISE SIN. We don’t excuse sin, or cover it, or rationalize it. We see it as God sees it. It is a rebellious disobedience that is self centered and self destructive. To mourn is to anguish over our sin, our sinfulness, and the sin of others. Sin is something we should weep over.

5. TO SEE SIN FOR WHAT IT IS. Sin destroys people and relationships, and that is why God says that we should run from it. Sin separates us from God (Is. 59:2), enslaves us (Jn. 8:34,36), causes stumbling (1 Cor. 8:9), hardens our hearts (Heb. 3:13), and brings death (Rom. 6:23). We don’t go from white to black right away…we go from white to deepening shades of gray. Our moral edges dull. Our lines blur. Our absolutes dilute. Our foundation erodes.

When we sin, we need to confess it and allow God to purify us (1 John. 1:9). We need to be honest with God in acknowledging our sin, admitting our mistakes, and mourning over that which breaks God’s heart.

HOW TO APPLY THIS SECRET TO YOUR LIFE

1. Feel genuine remorse for rejecting God. Be like Peter. (Luke 22:54-62)

2. Have the courage to confess sin. Be like David. (Psalm 32:1-11; Psalm 51)

3. Follow God’s plan for recovery and forgiveness. Be like Israel. (2 Chron. 7:14;

1 John 1:9)

Happy are those who are saddened by sin and are quick to confess it.

Hebrews 11:32

Like no other person in Scripture, David is called a man after God’s own heart. Yet David’s life was full of high peaks and very low valleys. David was imperfect, but God does not look for perfection; He looks for faith. Live your life to advance God’s vision.

1. SEE THE BIG PICTURE CLEARLY. (1 Sam. 16,17)

David focused on God at a very early age. He saw the big picture, and the big picture was God. In David’s view, even a nine foot tall giant named Goliath was small compared to his unlimited God. God wants to fulfill His purposes in you and through you! Don’t let the shadows of life’s giants blur your vision and keep you from becoming what God wants you to be.

2. GROW THROUGH NEGATIVE PEOPLE. (1 Sam. 18,19,25,26)

Ever had to deal with a downright negative, critical, hard-headed person? David did. After David killed Goliath, King Saul became jealous of David’s popularity and even tried to kill him. But David grew through it, and actually showed maturity and godliness by sparing Saul’s life. Don’t let negative people rob you of your God vision! Keep your eye on the prize.

3. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM. (1 Sam. 20)

You need people that will keep you encouraged and on mission. Detractors are a dime a dozen, but encouragers are treasures to be guarded and nurtured. Jonathan was David’s closest friend, and David’s mighty men were devoted warriors. How about you? Who is in your corner? Find people who will speak into your life and encourage you to become all that God wants you to be.

4. REBOUND FROM FAILURE. (2 Sam. 11, Ps. 51)

Along the way, David’s vision became muddied. He sinned against God and he paid for it dearly. That’s what happens when you lose focus on God’s vision. An unprincipled life is as out of control as a broken dam, flood waters, raging forest fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. But to David’s credit, he rebounded from his failure. And God will forgive us as He forgave David.

5. RECOMMIT YOUR HEART. (Ps. 26:2; 66:18,19; 86:1; 119:10,11)

After David sinned against God, he humbled his heart and recommitted himself to serve God and advance God’s Kingdom. That’s what we need to do when we sin, too. To keep God’s vision clear in our lives, we need to recommit our hearts to Him. We need to get to the heart of the matter, which is the matter of the heart. Live a principled life anchored in God and His Word, instead of being anchorless and vulnerable to Satan’s lies.

Acts 13:22 “I have found David…a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

Matt. 5:5—Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meekness is not cowardice, shyness, or laziness. It is not niceness or a sense of worthlessness. It is not indifference, compromise, or spinelessness. To be meek is to elevate others, prefer others, prioritize others, respect others, and forgive others. This Beatitude is saying, “Blessed are those who are rightly related to God and self, so that they can relate to others in a godly way.”

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MEEK

1. BE HUMBLE. (Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:1-4; Luke 14:7-11; Ps. 25:9)

To be humble is to prefer others over yourself, consider others better than self, and give others the best seat. True humility will always end up in exaltation…by God. Humility is being stuck on others instead of ourselves. It is not natural for us to be sorry for our sin; our nature is to look out for ourselves, and to push and shove to get to the front of the line. We need Jesus Christ and His power in us.

2. MEEK IS NOT WEAK. (Num. 12:3; Prov. 16:32; Matt. 21:12)

To be meek is to be free from malice and a vengeful spirit. In the English language, being meek is often rendered as “spineless,” which paints a picture of submission. But Aristotle defined “meek” as an emotion between excessive anger and angerless-ness. It is a selfless anger, or anger on a leash. So, a blessed man is one who is always angry at the right time, and never angry at the wrong time.

3. BE UNDER CONTROL. (Eph. 4:1)

Meekness is power under control. To be meek is to be bridled by the Lord, and reined in by the Holy Spirit. We no longer spew out our emotional wreckage, verbal toxins, silent treatments, pouting, grudge holding, and temper tantrums. We seek to serve people instead of demanding that they serve us. And the result is that our relationships cause us far less stress. Others will actually like and appreciate us! We will be happy in our home, workplace, and neighborhood.

4. TREAT OTHERS WITH DIGNITY. (Titus 3:2)

The meek man respects other people, even people that cannot do anything for him. He relates to others out of his own relationship with Christ. He doesn’t snap at people when they disagree with him; he listens. He doesn’t minimize them; he honors them. He doesn’t get even; he realizes their need for Christ. Why? Because a Christ-dominated life is not fractured; it is full of love which constantly flows to us from the Lord.

5. SUFFER WITH GRACE. (1 Peter 2:19-24; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Heb. 10:32-34; Rom. 12:17-21)

Jesus is our model. The whole goal of our Christian life is to be like Jesus. Every day, our aim is to follow in His footsteps. And when Jesus was persecuted and put down, He responded with inner strength instead of revenge. Meekness means having the opportunity to get back at someone and to not take it. When others strike out at you, leave it to the Lord.

Happy are those who humbly put God and others first, and self third.

Hebrews 11:32

Challenges and adversities are a part of this life. God will give us the strength to overcome, but we should not add problems to our lives through unwise choices and disobedient living.

1. DON’T SELF-DESTRUCT. (Judges 6:1-6)

The situation was really bad for Israel. The Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. Their crops and livestock were taken and their land was ravaged. But they were their own worst enemy. God had delivered them, but they had FDD (Faith Deficit Disorder). Because they were unwilling to serve Him long term, they continued to make foolish choices and reap painful consequences. This is still true today. Why are people surprised that problems escalate, pain reproduces itself, and despair chases after them when they run after sin? Sowing to the wind WILL reap the whirlwind of judgment and punishment (Hosea 8:7). It is far better to serve God and live in His power.

2. DON’T HESITATE TO OBEY THE LORD. (Judges 6)

In Judges 6:14, God says to Gideon, “I have a mission for you. Save Israel.” But Gideon is slow to get rolling. He makes excuses and asks for a sign. Then, full of fear, he does the right thing… but at night so that no one will see him. Then he asks (twice) for confirmation with a fleece, which was actually a sign of weakness, not a biblical prescription. Finally, Gideon obeys God.

What is God calling you to do? Where are you to grow? Who are you to become? Maybe God has presented you with an incredible opportunity. Maybe God wants you to change something in your life. Maybe God wants you to grow in a certain area. Maybe God is talking to you about your marriage/family/job. Or maybe God is speaking to you about your faith in Him. When God talks, we must listen and walk in obedience.

3. DON’T ALLOW THE ENEMY TO BECOME BIGGER THAN GOD. (Judges 7)

God saw Gideon’s fear, and He built his faith. The army of 32,000 that Gideon raised was eventually reduced to 300 men who lapped water with their hands to their mouths…and who eventually whipped up on the boys from Midian with nothing more than jars, torches, and trumpets. It was definitely a victory from God!

So many people allow their problems to dwarf God. But God is bigger than our biggest problems. God is more than enough, and He wants to build your faith as He did Gideon’s! Whatever you are going through today, trust Him, rely on Him, and put your confidence in Him. In His strength you can overcome.

Matt. 5:6—Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

We must have a deep desire to do what’s right and to live the right way. Doing the right thing flows out of being the right person. Beatitude #1 is about being poor in spirit, and realizing our incredible need for God. Beatitude #2 is about the need to mourn as we realize the devastation of sin. Beatitude #3 is about being meek, and relating to God and others with sincere humility. Beatitude #4 is about rightness; doing and being right with God, ourselves, and others.

1. IT MUST BE MY PRIORITY.

Righteousness is being right, doing right, and desiring what is right. It is not enough to be satisfied with partial goodness. Blessed is the man who longs for total righteousness as a starving man longs for food and a man dying of thirst longs for water, for that man will be truly satisfied. If you find yourself in a corner because you’ve made a mistake, remember that two wrongs never make a right. The end does not justify the means. Doing the right thing will reward you sooner and later. Do the honorable thing, the right thing, the godly thing, the biblical thing…the thing Jesus would do.

2. IT MUST BE MY PASSION.

The idea of hunger and thirst in Matthew 5:6 is more than just a passing thought. It is a deep desire, a hefty appetite, a powerful ambition, and a strong pursuit. It is an insatiable hunger and unquenchable thirst. Jesus is talking about the strongest of drives in our lives. We must be driven by doing God’s will. Our orientation to life must be to do the godly thing. We are poor in spirit, honest about our mistakes, meek and humble, and now we want more…more of God and His goodness. Happy is the man who has a deep desire to do what is right. He will be satisfied—stuffed full! But the point is not to be full, but to hunger and thirst.

3. IT MUST BE MY PURPOSE.

Although the priority of wholly seeking after God is the first thing, the purpose of that pursuit is the main thing…and maybe the one and only thing. The Beatitudes were written to tell us how to get into the Kingdom and to tell us how to live once we are in the Kingdom. With Beatitude #1—becoming poor in spirit—we acknowledge our supreme need for God. With Beatitude #2—being in mourning—we become sorry for our sins. With Beatitude #3—becoming meek—we humble ourselves before the Lord and serve others. And with Beatitude #4—becoming hungry and thirsty—we experience a deep desire to do God’s will.

Man is searching for something that only God provides. Are you as hungry for it? Are you as thirsty for it? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and seek to become more and more like Jesus.

Happy are those who have a deep desire to do the right (God) thing.

Hebrews 11:32,33

Every Christian has dark moments, but that does not have to disqualify us from receiving God’s blessing. We must throw ourselves at His mercy, request His forgiveness, call out for His grace, and receive His strength to start anew.

1. FIGHT THE CURRENT OF SIN. (Judges 2:6-15)

There is a strong current of sin in our world, and it is not popular to fight it. But we are in a fight for our lives! Refuse to lose to sin and Satan. Where does he have a grasp on your life? Instead, put on the Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). Don’t fight in your own power… use God’s super power! God will forgive us if we ask Him to. He can cut through the chaos and confusion in our lives and find true faith when it is there.

2. RECEIVE GOD’S SALVATION. (Judges 2:16-23)

Israel was addicted to sin and self, and really struggled to serve God. God desperately wants to save us from sin, destruction, and loss, but sin has its grasp on many people today. Don’t choose to lose—refuse to lose! James 4:7-10 tells us how to fight the grip of addiction and sin: Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands and purify your hearts. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Humble yourself, and He will lift you up.

3. LIVE TO HONOR GOD. (Judges 4)

Deborah and Barak were in over their heads. The enemy was a perennial power with 900 iron chariots. The Israelites struggled with bringing honor to God, but in the end, Deborah and Barak helped restore faith and honor, and the Israelites were reconciled once again to God. Their waywardness produced unnecessary pain, but God forgave them. How about you? If you are not serving God, make a management change! Honor God and position yourself for His blessings, peace, joy, fulfillment, and happiness.

4. CELEBRATE GOD’S GOODNESS. (Judges 5)

Judges 5 is a song of praise. Commemorating a national victory with a song was a common practice. What are you thankful to God for? Have you told Him? Have you told someone else about the goodness of the Lord? Celebrate your salvation with deep gratitude and appreciation. It is good news that we need to tell others about! It builds our faith, and the faith of those we tell is buoyed. God has done great things in the lives of His people down through the generations.

Commit to Christ, celebrate His salvation, and choose to serve and honor Him day by day.

Matt. 5:7—Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

1. I MUST RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY BEFORE I CAN GIVE IT. (Luke 6:36, 18:9-14; I Peter 1:3ff)

True mercy is not a normal attribute. It is normal to be hard nosed and self-protective, not merciful. But God is. Psalm 103 is a song of about God’s mercy. 2 Samuel 24:14 tells us that His mercy is great. It is part of God’s nature to be merciful and to dispense His mercy to us. When we ask, God gives. And when God asks, we give. The only way we can practice God-like mercy is to receive it from Him.

2. I MUST REALIZE TRUE MERCY FLOWS FROM MY HEART. (Prov. 4:23; Is. 29:13)

Jesus confronted the religious standards of the day, and that is why He was crucified by religious people. Jesus had a few things to say in Matthew 23:25,26 about the Pharisees, who were trying to do something before they were being something. Jesus is saying that we need to get to the heart of the matter, which is the matter of the heart. We need to change from the inside out.

3. I MUST REMEMBER TO WALK IN OTHER PEOPLE’S SHOES. (James 2:13)

The New Testament is insistent that to be forgiven, we must be forgiving. The Greek word for “merciful” means to get right inside the other person’s skin until we can see things with his eyes, think things with his mind, and feel things with his feelings. It demands a deliberate effort of the mind and of the will. There is always a reason why a person thinks and acts as he does, and if we knew that reason, it would be so much easier to understand, to sympathize, and to forgive.

4. I MUST REACH OUT TO UNBELIEVERS. (Jude 1:22,23)

Show me a church with a great passion and compassion for the lost, and I’ll show you a church that will never die. We love the sinner, but hate the sin. St. Augustine wrote, “If I weep for the body from which the soul is departed, should I not weep for the soul from which God has departed?” Mercy requires that we reach out to others and rescue them.

5. I MUST RECONCILE WITH THOSE WHO OFFEND ME. (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:21-35)

We must be eager to forgive. The unwillingness to forgive is one of the greatest assassins preying on relationships today. We don’t forgive in order to be forgiven; that’s salvation by works. We forgive because we have been forgiven. And when we show mercy by forgiving, we receive the mercy we need. As we pour it out, God pours it in.

6. I MUST RESPOND TO PEOPLE IN NEED. (James 2:16,17; Jer. 2:13; Luke 10:30-37)

Faith without works is dead, and we are to help the needy. How many times this past week did you show mercy to someone in need? The only mercy we can dispense is what is poured in. Nothing can be poured out that has not been poured in. Jesus makes the promise that the more mercy we extend, the more mercy He will pour in for us to extend. We will obtain all of the mercy we need, as long as we are dispensing all the mercy we should.

Happy are those who care enough to walk in another’s shoes.

Hebrews 11:30,31

Each of us must choose to serve God with resolve. To not make a commitment to serve God is to make a commitment to not serve God.

1. WHEN OVERWHELMED: CHOOSE COURAGE OVER FEAR. (Josh. 1:1-9)

After Moses died, God appointed Joshua as the leader of the people of Israel. God told Joshua to lead them into battle to take possession of the land that God had given to them. Joshua’s mission was treacherous and overwhelming, but he chose to take the baton and run for God. We all have the same purpose and life mission: To advance God’s purposes by serving the Lord fully. We must also put our confidence in God, and choose to live for Him and honor Him with our lives.

2. WHEN TEMPTED: CHOOSE COMMITMENT OVER COMPROMISE. (Josh. 2,7)

Rahab was a harlot from Jericho who hid two Israelite spies and saved her family (Josh. 2). Achan was an Israelite who stole plunder from a battle, and he and his family were killed for it (Josh. 7). The prostitute turned to God and chose commitment, while the Israelite turned from God and chose compromise. What is in the heart matters most! If you are with God, never quit. If you are away from God, turn and commit to Him. Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

3. WHEN UNSURE: CHOOSE TRUST OVER WORRY. (Josh. 3)

The people of Israel needed to cross the Jordan River, but it was at flood stage. It was a physical and spiritual hurdle for them: Would they trust God as they literally moved into new territory? The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the river, and when it parted for them, all of the people crossed the river on dry land! We must also put our absolute trust in God. He can part the waters, remove obstacles, open doors, and make a way where there is no way.

4. WHEN ANXIOUS: CHOOSE FAITH OVER DOUBT. (Josh. 5,6)

Now remember: Joshua’s task of conquering Canaan was ominous to say the least. But then God said, “Forget the swords and spears! Let’s go with a walk around Jericho with a few trumpets and have a team cheer. That will bring the house down!” It might have sounded hopeless, but Josh was dialed in with God, and said, “LET’S DO THIS.” And the walls fell down! Whatever is going on in your life, put your faith in God and do it His way! Choose faith over doubt.

5. WHEN DYING: CHOOSE RESOLVE OVER RELATIVITY. (Josh. 23,24)

A revolutionary is resolved, absolute, resolute, certain, and sure. Others are relative, undecided, and non-committal. Joshua was firmly decided for the Lord, and just before his death, he called together the leaders of Israel and admonished them to continue to live for the Lord. He said, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve!” (Josh. 24:15). We must also make this all-important choice, and live it out in our decisions every day.

If you have not already done so, pray, “God, I want to be used by You. I want to make a real difference. I choose You and Your plan for my life.”

Matt. 5:8—Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

What is our motivation in making life decisions? We need to question our own motives before someone else has to. We must check ourselves, and when derailed, get back on track with God.

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO? (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:18-20)

What does it mean to be pure in heart? In biblical language, the center of the human spirit is the heart. We are to have a pure heart. The basic meaning of the Greek word for “pure” is unmixed, unadulterated, and unalloyed. So we can understand this Beatitude to mean, “Blessed is the man whose motives are always entirely unmixed.” If I am to be happy, I must be pure in heart. And if I am to be pure in heart, I must examine my motives to be sure that they are pure.

GOD’S DEMAND (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Thess. 3:13, 4:3-8; Rom. 3:23, 5:1)

What is God’s bottom line to get into heaven? We read it in Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection. And God doesn’t grade on a curve. Face it: perfection is not possible, and being pure is not normal. So, how does this work? Jesus is talking about sanctification.

GOD’S DREAM (1 Sam. 16:7; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1John 1:9)

God’s big dream for our life is that we be like Him. Once we give our hearts to the Lord, He desires that we grow in His likeness. He wants our hearts to be uncompromised and focused on Him. How do you become a person God uses? It starts in your heart. James 4:7-10 gives us these action steps for growth:

1. Submit yourself to God. Read the Bible, fellowship, worship, serve, and reach out.

2. Resist the devil. Run from sin, not towards it.

3. Come near to God. Run to God, pray, and evaluate your life.

4. Wash your hands. Purify your heart.

5. Grieve, mourn, and wail.

6. Humble yourself in a posture of dependence, free of arrogance.

GOD’S PROMISE (Heb. 12:14)

The Holy Spirit makes us attuned and focused on God. As we walk in faith and purity, we will see the Lord more clearly, hear Him more definitely, and know Him more intimately. So evaluate yourself. Question your own motives. Come clean on the inside…the hidden interior part of you. Be truthful. We live for an audience of One! Follow God wholly—unmixed, undiluted, uncompromised—and when you do, you will experience makarios—peace with God. You will see God and enjoy a relationship with the Almighty that will blow your mind.

Happy are those who constantly question their own motives.

Hebrews 11:23-29. In Exodus 3, God met Moses at a burning bush in the desert and called him to fulfill a strategic purpose: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt…and I will be with you” (vs. 10,12). That call and promise should have been enough, but Moses had a lot of doubt. He had five excuses, and we use them, too.

1. I’M NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH. (Ex. 3:11)

Moses said, “I’m not the right guy. I’m insignificant and incapable.” Have you ever felt that way? When God calls us to serve or to be a great husband/wife/parent/Christian (or whatever He calls us to do) and we say, “I’m not important enough,” we are really saying that God is wrong. But God does not make mistakes. He will not ask you to do or be something without also empowering you to do or be whatever it is that He is calling you to.

2. I DON’T HAVE THE ANSWERS. (Ex. 3:13)

Moses said, “I’m not smart enough.” Maybe you have felt a bit overwhelmed or underprepared, but when we say this to God, we are saying that He is not able to answer the tough questions. We’re saying that He’s calling us to something but He won’t be there for us. How silly! Wherever God is calling you, He is already there. He will help you, heal you, release you, empower you, and show you the way. He just wants you to go.

3. I’M NOT COMPELLING ENOUGH. (Ex. 4:1)

Moses said, “It won’t work. I don’t have the influence. I’m poor at casting vision.” Can you relate to those feelings? “God, I can’t lead the way. I’m a lousy leader.” But when God calls us and we make up excuses like this, we are basically saying that God is unconvincing, powerless, and incapable of inspiring people. If He calls us, He will equip us. If we are open to Him, He will infuse us with everything we need.

4. I DON’T HAVE THE SKILL SET. (Ex. 4:10)

Moses said, “It is clear that God has the wrong guy, because I can’t even speak. I stutter. And I’m supposed to go and talk to the most powerful man in the world?” We’ve all felt under-qualified at times: “I’m not good enough, skilled enough, prepared enough, or capable enough.” But God always knows exactly what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning. He just wants to know if you will have faith. Will you be obedient? Are you available? Will you be a God-soldier?

5. I’M NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH. (Ex. 4:13)

Moses said, “I just don’t see it. I can’t feel it. I don’t have the willingness, desire, faith, or belief.” Have you ever been afraid or lacked hope? Maybe you didn’t believe that something in your marriage, family, or other relationships could become what it was supposed to be. But God’s will, vision, and purpose are not based on our confidence levels. And when we come up with excuses, we are saying NO to growth and faith and significance.

God says, “You are what you are, but you are not yet what you will be. I will be with you.” This week, get alone with God. Pray, read the Bible, and fast. Get serious about saying no to excuses and yes to God. Focus on a specific area in your life that has been excuse-ridden. Tell God that you will obey and follow Him in all areas.

Matt. 5:9—Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

1. RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM.

Sin is an “I” problem: It is the big I in the center of sIn. Sin fouls up relationships, marriages, and families. Relational breaches are often the result of human lust, greed, and selfishness, but the Bible starts and ends with peace. We have the mention of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2, and the prophesied creation of a new Heaven and earth in Rev. 21. In the middle of these events is man’s sin. One historian has said that in the past 4,000 years, there has not been a continuous 300 years of peace.

2. BE CRYSTAL CLEAR ON THE SOLUTION.

Sin destroys people and their relationships. Therefore, we need God to overhaul us. We need a new outlook. We need a new way of living. And we need to realize that we can’t do this on our own. We need to recognize that the reason we struggle in relationships is because we are selfish, and God calls that sin. And it causes lots of problems. We need to give our hearts to God and have Him recreate us (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22).

3. UNDERSTAND WHAT PEACE-MAKING MEANS.

Notice that Jesus says we need to be peace-makers, not peace-lovers. There is a big difference between the two. There will be occasions where we take it on the chin, like Jesus took it on the cross. But there are many more occasions where we are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and share our feelings and concerns. Jesus did that in the temple. He did it with the disciples and the Pharisees. What happens when we are forever passive is that it builds up, erodes, and then explodes.

4. PRACTICE PEACE-MAKING.

The goal of the peacemaker is not resolution, but reconciliation. As fellow creations of God, we need to respect and honor one another. Weigh your words (Matt. 12:36, 37; Eph. 4:29-5:2; Eccl. 3:7; Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 17:28; James 1:19,20), guard your emotions (Rom. 12:9-21; James 3:13-18), and choose to be constructive (Col. 4:6; Prov. 15:1,4,23). Focus on reconciliation (Eph. 4:26; Matt.18:15-17; Prov. 27:5,6) and eliminate gossip (Prov. 11:13; 16:28; 20:19; 21:23; James 3:3-10). See heart to heart with others, even if you cannot see eye to eye with them.

People who are great peace-makers have risen above the tyranny of the tongue by recognizing the problem, being crystal clear on the solution, understanding what peace-making means, and practicing it. God sees peace not as an absence of conflict, but as the presence of righteousness. The peace of the Bible conquers problems and builds bridges between people. That may involve struggle, pain, and anguish, but real peace is the result. Get your spirit under control by asking God to change you from the inside out.

Happy are those who build up people and bridge relationships.

Hebrews 11:20-22

Through the ups and downs of life, Joseph stayed the course when he could have crashed and burned. He is honored as a man of faith. He fulfilled God’s dream for his life, but he had to defend the dream along the way.

1. FIGHT UNBELIEF WITH FAITH. (James 1:6)

Joseph had a dream. It was sketchy, a big picture, and a shade unclear, but God told Joseph that He would use him to bless His people (Gen. 37). Joe believed God and embraced God’s dream for his life. God chooses ordinary people with an unordinary faith and uses them in an extraordinary way… and He has a dream for your life, too! Take Him seriously. Accept His will. Whatever He wants you to be, do, or become, go with God.

2. OVERCOME ADVERSITY WITH PERSEVERANCE. (James 1:12)

Joseph’s brothers were not happy when they heard about Joseph’s dream. In fact, they threw him in a pit, sold him as a slave, and told their father that Joseph was dead. Is there anything that can steal our dream, rob our joy, or dismantle our faith more than pain in life? But Joseph teaches us that having problems—whether our own doing, someone else’s doing, or simply a product of life—does not mean that God is dead or rendered powerless.

3. BEAT TEMPTATION WITH INTEGRITY. (1 Cor. 10:13)

Joseph ended up as Potiphar’s slave (Gen. 39), and soon he was running a wealthy household in an environment that was ripe for compromise—but he remembered his God and lived with integrity. Like Joseph, we need to determine in advance where we will land on issues of character and integrity. We need to stay away from temptation, not just from sin.

4. RESIST RESENTMENT WITH FORGIVENESS. (John 10:10)

Potiphar’s wife made a false accusation against Joseph, and he was put in prison for over two years. While he was soon running the place again, Joseph had to defend against the roots of resentment and bitterness. Sometimes bad things happen to good people due to no fault of their own, but forgiveness is the antidote to resentment.

5. CONQUER SELF-ABSORPTION WITH INFLUENCE. (Gen. 50:24)

Through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, Joseph was brought to prominence in the king’s palace. Although he was made second-in-command of all of Egypt, Joseph could have blown it even at this point. He could have used his position for personal gain or for payback when his brothers came to him to buy food, but instead he allowed God to use him to save His people.

God will accomplish His purposes, and He is looking for those who will defend the dream.

Matt. 5:10—Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Know what you believe. Believe what you know. Bank on the Bible. Lift up Jesus Christ. Do not be ashamed or apologetic. Realize that you have what everyone else needs, and experience a wave of God’s Spirit sweeping over you like never before. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

1. EXPECT PERSECUTION. (Eph. 6; John 15:18,19)

Don’t be surprised by persecution. Expect it. Embrace it. Know that when it comes, it’s a sign that your witness is bright. If we are not advancing the cause of Christ, there will be no persecution. If we’re no threat—if we’re weak, conflicted, or duplicitous—then Satan couldn’t care less about us. Remember, the world and its system is operated and manipulated by the Kingdom of Satan. Jesus says it is normal for a person of faith in Him to experience insult, false accusations, and ridicule. But victory is assured in the end!

2. CHOOSE JOY. (Phil. 3:7-11; James 1:2-15; Acts 5:40,41)

Suffering persecution is an opportunity to show our devotion to Jesus Christ. One of the most famous martyrs was Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. A Roman magistrate gave him the choice of sacrificing to the godhead of Caesar or dying. Polycarp said, “Eighty-six years have I served Christ, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” So they brought him to the stake, and he prayed his last prayer: “O, Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your well beloved and ever-blessed Son, by whom we have received the knowledge of You… I thank You that You have graciously thought me worthy of this day and of this hour.” Ask yourself, “How do I do when given an opportunity to prove loyal?”

3. ANTICIPATE HEAVEN. (Phil. 3:20; 2 Tim. 4:7,8; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:1-18; 5:1-10; 6:3-10; 11:23-28; 12:9,10; 1 Pet. 2:11,12; Heb. 11:10,14,16; 13:14; I Cor. 4:9,10,13.)

It was important for the early Christians to keep their eyes fixed on Heaven. When they refused to say, “Caesar is Lord,” because Jesus alone is Lord, the penalties they had to suffer were terrible beyond description. Through it all, they kept their eyes on Heaven. They knew this life is only the beginning, and that we are just passing through! If we only knew how close Heaven is, how long it will be, and how incredible it will be, we would pursue living for Jesus with everything we have.

4. LOOK AROUND. (Heb. 11:32-12:3; Luke 21:12,13; Rev. 6:9; 2 Tim. 4:7,8)

Persecution puts you in good company. Your faithful witness under persecution is just like medals on a uniform. Persecution pressure produces a great witness, and God will bless those who stand for Him. The next time you are persecuted, thank God for another opportunity to be loyal to Jesus. Ask God for the courage to stand unashamed for Jesus in the midst of ridicule, and to influence others for Christ.

Happy are those who know what they believe and boldly live it.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Abraham was a revolutionary, a difference-maker, and a God soldier. He was called to go to a far away place and advance God’s mission, and each time he embraced God’s call with faith. Here are three things we can learn from him:

1. MAKE THE COMMITMENT. (Heb. 11:8-10)

When Abram was called to be the father of God’s nation (Genesis 12), there were a lot more unknowns than knowns. He was leaving behind his familiar home, community, and friends. But he obeyed and went. He wasn’t held by his past accomplishments or comfort; he determined that he was going to sell out to God until his last breath.

Life is short. Nobody on their death bed says that they wished they would have done less. So, what is God calling you to be? Go? Do? Change? Where does He want to take you spiritually, in service to others, or in your relationships? God wants to take you somewhere, and chances are that you are fighting Him. Submit. Surrender. Serve. Go with God. Embrace the call.

2. KEEP THE FAITH. (Heb. 11:11,12)

In Genesis 18, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, is old, barren, and past the age of bearing children. This might have meant the end of a dream for a man who was to be the “father of a nation,” but Abraham knew that God would make a way to keep His word.

An apparent dead end can derail the most devout Christ followers. But with God, everything is different. Without a dead end, there would be no deliverance. Without barrenness, there would be no miracle child. Without the barrier of the Red Sea, there would be no parting. And without the crucifixion, there would be no resurrection. God wants to awaken you to a new hope! Tell Him that you are available, and receive His healing, strength, and love.

3. PASS THE TEST. (Heb. 11:17-19)

Genesis 22 tells the story of Abraham’s big test. God told him to take his son, Isaac, to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering! Abraham must have been conflicted, but he trusted God. God saw that Abraham was obedient, and God provided a ram to sacrifice instead.

Abraham’s test is also our test. It is different, but the same. Will we do what makes sense to us, or what God has told us to do? There will be many ethical, relational, financial, spiritual, and emotional tests in this life, and we must pass them one by one. So whatever comes your way in life, determine that you will be obedient and faithful to do whatever God asks of you.

God has graciously mapped out a specific plan for your life. Because He wants you to know His plan, He has provided road signs which are fully sufficient to guide you along the way.

SIGN #1: THE BIBLE GOD’S WORD.
The Bible doesn’t reveal individual will, but the right choice is always in the general direction that the Bible points to. For example, in choosing a mate, God declares all unbelievers are prohibited, so the correct mate is always found among believers. Further signs must be followed to find the specific person. See Ps. 119:97-112; Ps. 19:7-11.

SIGN #2: CIRCUMSTANCES.
God does not dictate all things, but He is aware of all circumstances, and uses them to lead us. Open and closed doors are common ways that God reveals His will to us, and the Holy Spirit enlightens us to understand Scripture. See John 16:13; Rom. 8:14.

SIGN #3: INNER WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
God has given us His Spirit, and one of the roles of the Spirit in our lives is to lead us into Truth. The Spirit speaks to us with a still small voice, an inner urging so insistent it cannot be ignored, which guides the believer to inner peace within the heart to reveal God’s will. See Ps. 19:14; Ez. 1:1-3; Rom. 8:16; Col. 3:15.

SIGN #4: MATURE COUNSEL.
Choose wise counselors and listen to mature, godly advice. See Psalm 1:1-6; Prov. 24:6; 13:10.

SIGN #5: PERSONAL DESIRES.
Christians will always experience internal warfare as the flesh lusts against the spirit. The right approach is a balance…considering our desires as one of several road signs. See Ps. 37:4; Phil. 2:13; Rom. 7; Gal. 5.

SIGN #6: COMMON SENSE.
While we are to seek wisdom, we should recognize that God will not be boxed in by our common sense. The directive to Noah to build an ark in a desert did not make sense…until the water began to rise. Our common sense does not always see things the way God’s divine wisdom does. See Is. 55:8.

SIGN #7: SPECIAL SUPERNATURAL GUIDANCE.
Supernatural guidance includes hearing an audible voice, seeing an angel, or experiencing a vision, trance, dream, prophecy, or miracle. Many Christians travel the road of life and never see this road sign•&but it doesn’t mean that it could never happen. See Acts 8:26; 9:3-6;10:3,10; 13:2; and 16:9,10.

Whatever decisions you will face this year, give them to God in prayer.

We need to live out our hope in Christ with zeal. With God’s power, we need to push back the darkness to bring light and hope to as many people as will listen.

• PLACE ALL HOPE IN GOD. (Heb. 11:1)
  Does what you hope for align with God’s purposes? Know what and Who you hope in. Seek God, not man’s wisdom. Decide or reaffirm that your life will revolve around God and His purposes. The key to becoming a difference-maker is to get right between the ears and in the heart.
• BELIEVE BEFORE YOU SEE. (Heb. 11:1)
  There are times we don’t see the answer coming, we have not received the healing, the finances are shaky, the job situation is unsure, and marriage or family matters are still way up in the air. It is then that some bail on God. But the Jesus revolutionary believes even when he can’t see.
• STAND STRONG BECAUSE YOU DO NOT STAND ALONE. (Heb. 11:2)
  We are called to be Jesus revolutionaries. We must be faithful to help save those around us from certain destruction. As Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).
• TRUST IN GOD’S POWER AND SOVEREIGNTY. (Heb. 11:3)
  People lose their faith. They lose their way. Their view of life becomes cloudy, foggy, and dark. Distractions, disappointments, desires, and defeats cloud their vision. Don’t let this happen to you!
• OBEY GOD COMPLETELY. (Heb. 11:4)
  For Abel, faith was a way of life. For Cain, faith was a formality. Live with the end in view. Realize your purpose. Keep God and His purposes in focus. He wants you to be like Jesus and influence others.
• LIVE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE. (Heb. 11:5,6)
  We must be vigilant and alert to not allow the wretchedness of our culture to infiltrate our lives. We must be righteous, blameless, and walk with God. We must be increasingly filled with God’s Spirit and filter out contaminants.
• DESIRE TO BE USED BY GOD. (Heb. 11:7)
  God has an assignment for you, too. It includes saving your family, but it goes beyond that. We are to build a life-saving ship as big as we can to get as many on as we can. That is what we are about! Together, we need to rescue as many people as we can.

A Jesus Revolutionary loses himself in Christ and the mission. What is God telling you to do? Are you doing it? Matt 10:39—“...whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Every single one of us desires meaningful relationships. We long for them, look for them, cherish them, and dream about them. To have someone near us who loves us and deeply cares for us is one of the richest blessings in all of life. Our heart is made full and is at peace through loving relationships.

Did you know that God wired us with a need to love and be loved? It is part of our spiritual DNA. God is a relational God. We were made in His image and we were created to be in relationship with God and others. Relationship is one of the key messages of the Bible. God wants us to have a deep and growing relationship with Him. He wants us to know Him even as He knows us. He wants you to know that you will never find a more loving friend than the Lord.

God reveals Himself to us in many ways and He wants us to get to know Him more. He wants us to look, learn, and listen… and understand more completely how much He loves us.

• Look: Psalm 19:1-6 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God. Everywhere we look we see the handiwork of our loving and powerful God. Take a moment to look up, and look around, and be reminded of His majesty.
• Learn: The Bible tells us that we learn of God and His love for us through His Son, Jesus. As you read through the Gospels (and the Bible) this year, learn once more of the incredible love Christ has for you. Bask in Ephesians 3:18-21, Romans 8:38,39 and John 15:13.
• Listen: Psalm 19:7-14 tells us that as we study and listen to God’s Word, the Bible will guide us in godly living. If we listen to the Bible and follow its instructions, we will know God more and become more like Jesus.

Each year provides us with an incredible opportunity to write a new chapter in our relationship with the Lord. Continue to set aside some time daily to do the Bible reading, memorize a Scripture or two along the way, meditate on God’s truth, and pray. As our relationship with Christ grows, our relationships with others will be enriched, and as we grow in our friendship with God, we will become better friends to others.

Hebrews 11:1,2--Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11 - the "Faith Chapter" - is full of revolutionaries. These people thought a certain way, and it moved them to act a certain way. Their baseline was, "God, use me. Send me. Make a difference in this world through me. Change me, and then work changes in others through me."

Jesus was a revolutionary, too. He challenged the status quo, messed up people's categories, tore down their paradigms, and disrupted their way of thinking. He called people to live for God by investing themselves in the lives of others. He called them to become people of purpose -- impact players, change agents, and difference makers.

And that is exactly what Jesus is calling us to become today. Jesus is raising up people around the world who think, serve, and live like Jesus on every continent, in every nation, in every language. And He wants to use all of us in His grand plan to reach the world with His love.

The question is: Will we join His revolution? Will we forsake our own agendas and devote ourselves to fulfilling His agenda instead? Jesus wants us to have different priorities and to live out Kingdom values. Jesus says, “You are to be my ambassadors. You are to be my representatives. You are to fulfill my purpose in the world."

It has been said that there are three kinds of people in the world: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Don't become self absorbed, distracted by your own desires, or derailed by problems, people, and stuff. Join the Revolution by building His Church and advancing His cause.

Faith Challenge

• Read a chapter a day. (Ps. 19:7-14)
• Memorize a verse a month. (Ps. 119:9,11)
• Pray 7 minutes a day. (Luke 18:1)
• Fast each week. (Ezra 8:23)
• Focus on 1 growth priority each month. (Luke 2:52)
• Join a ministry service team and serve regularly. (1 Peter 4:10)