Day 31 (Tuesday) – Back Up Your Words!!

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8

Brennan Manning once said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Do we practice what we preach?
Most assuredly you will know that if you claim to be a Christian, the world around you will hold you more accountable. I have witnessed people driving by me honking their horns, cutting people off and even giving someone the finger, only to notice that they had an ichthus fish (a Christians symbol) on the back of their car. What kind of witness is that? Will that attract people to Jesus? I don’t think so, in fact I think it will only drive people further from Christ.

In the book of Titus, the Apostle Paul reminds the reader to live consistently, that what we say should be backed up in what we do. So much so that those who would accuse us would have nothing evil to say about us. This is a tall order for all of us. I can confess that I have not always lived consistently this faith that I have in God. I regret the times when what I have said did not match what I did.

Jesus called the teachers of the law hypocrites because they didn’t live consistently. They told everybody else how to live, but they themselves did not follow through with those principles in their own lives. How about us today? How consistent is your faith in Christ? Do you honor Jesus with our lips, but your actions speak of something else entirely? Or are you living consistently for Him? It’s not easy to live in this consistency. But consider our witness to those around us. Who else is better suited to display Christ to those you meet than you and me? Can we back up our words with actions that match?

Charles Spurgeon long ago said this, and I think it hits home for all of us in this devotional thought for the day:“How often have you and I helped to keep sinners easy in their sin, by our inconsistency! Had we been true Christians, the wicked man would often have been pricked to the heart, and his conscience would have convicted him.”

May we choose this day, no matter how hard it might be, to live a consistent Christ-honoring life! May our words and actions match up, and may we honor God with a fully surrendered life today!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day that you have given to me. Help me to live for you consistently in it today! May I honor you not only with the words I choose to say, but in my thoughts and in my actions. Prepare the path this day so that those I meet might see you and not me. I long to be your very reflection so that others might seek and love you. Thank you Lord for loving and guiding me in my busyness and my hectic schedule. In your name I pray these things. -Amen.

January 31, 2017 0

Day 30 (Monday) -Radical Faith

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy… It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” -David Platt

Jesus didn’t have to die on the cross.
He had a choice, and he could have refused, but He didn’t. His love for those around him took him to the cross. This is what sacrificial love looks like. This is what denying of self is in this world. This is completely counter-cultural view. Our obedience to such a calling is certainly radical. Some would say, crazy…but this is the kind of crazy love that God has called his people to.

Love with strings attached isn’t love at all. Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that he could inherit some kingdom or to lord it over us, no, instead he died sacrificially and radically for ALL people. Does your love have strings attached today? Is what you are doing as a Christian come without hidden agendas and insincere motives? Are you living for God with all of your heart, soul and mind – or are you just playing along and playing church? Christ doesn’t want our lip service. He doesn’t want our love with contingency plans and strings attached. He wants all there is of me and you. He wants our complete and undivided attention. He wants a relationship with us!

This isn’t an easy road. There will be sacrifices along the way, but know that when you commit to him, be faithful to that…don’t have an exit strategy in case it doesn’t work out. It’s either all in or nothing at all. There can be no middle ground, and half-hearted attempts at an obedience relationship to Christ. Are you prepared for such a radical relationship? Are you prepared to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow him?
It starts here and now. Allow this obedience to be evident in your day today. Commit to it and see it through.

Prayer: Lord help me when I am only half-hearted in my attempts to love you. Forgive me when I have not been willing to follow you. Some days this path looks unappealing and frightening. Calm my heart, still my soul and show me your glory. Guide me this day to live this radical life for you and you alone. Remind me of my purpose as your child. Help me to see those around me who need hope, compassion and love. Use me for your glory today dear Lord. -Amen.

January 30, 2017 0

Day 29 (Sunday) Planted Like A Tree…

“Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²²My God sent his angel,and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:21-22

Daniel was in a tough spot.
Some of the other administrators of the Persian empire were jealous of him and wanted him dead. They even went so far as to trick the king into passing an edict that outlawed prayer of any kind unless it was directed to this new king. Darius liked Daniel. Daniel had proved himself and he was wise – He also had a mighty God on his side. But when Daniel faced a moral dilemma, he could have caved…he could have buckled under the pressure…but he didn’t. Daniel stood firm. In fact if you read the story of Daniel and lion’s den you will know that as soon as he hears about this new law he goes up to his room, opens the window that face Jerusalem and he prayed to God.

Daniel has the courage and strength to stand firm even when facing a certain death sentence. Not only does Daniel break this new law, he opens his windows so everyone can see him pray. There was no hiding his faith, or pretending to comply, Daniel knew that he couldn’t compromise.

How about you and me? Are there places in our lives that we are facing compromise? Have you been tempted to simply “play” along, even though you know in your heart that it (whatever “it” may be) is wrong? We are called to be set apart for God. Within that set-apart-ness, there is no room for the compromise of our faith! We must stand firm, even when societal and cultural pressures tell us otherwise. Do not move – stand your ground and remain faithful. This will require strength and fortitude. Resolve to remain faithful and ask the Lord to help you, He will not leave you if you only cling to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to stand firm in this faith that you have called me to. Help me when temptation causes me to waver and question my faith. Allow me your strength when I am weak. Lead me into victory and show me how I may live to serve you today! In Your name I pray all of these things. -Amen.

January 30, 2017 0

Day 28 (Saturday) – “Removing Me”

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” -CS Lewis

The very act of being a Christ-follower is all about becoming less while Christ becomes more. This self-denial is not about degeneration as CS Lewis once said, it is about removing the “Me first” mindset from our being and doing. When we have, in some small way, been able to let go of this self-indulgence, we can then allow others to be seen – as in for the first time – seen. In essence, removing the selfishness from our lives, which is in its nature a component of original sin, we are removing the scales from our spiritual eyes. When this removal takes place, compassion can flood in, and the capacity to truly love as God first loved us becomes finally possible.

self “…Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” Matthew 20:26 Jesus said these words to His disciples, and it has not lost its emphasis on His modern disciples today! In order for us to become great in the Kingdom of Heaven, we have to become servants of all. I should clarify that it is not our goal to become great with all that entails “greatness” in our culture today, e.g. egos, and ambition and selfishness. No, instead out goal ought to first be loving God and then assuming the very image of Christ so that we might fully embrace this removal of self. From this we will then have the great opportunity to love the world around us as Christ first loved you and me. others

Don’t worry about those drivers out there who cut you off and seem to treat you poorly. Don’t become consumed by animosity for those who wrong you or curse your name. Instead, remember in Whom you serve and love, and then allow this source of love and power to flow through you. Remove yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to relinquish this selfishness that I possess within me. It isn’t always evident, but from time to time it rears its ugly head and causes trouble in my life. Forgive me when I have led a self-indulgent life. I long to be made completely whole in You. Give me this passion to live for you, and to serve those who I encounter on this journey today. I pray all these things in your name. -Amen.

January 30, 2017 1

Day 27 (Friday) -“Coffee Stains…”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:25-26

Jesus had some harsh words for the religious leaders of his day…but first let me share with you a story. I love coffee…a lot! I also have my favorite cups that I like to use every day. It’s the daily routine. Every morning I wake up my children and get them ready for school. Then I shuffle to the kitchen and brew myself a nice hot cup of coffee. Most days my cup is clean but then there are days when my favorite cup was left in the car or in the sink…and it’s dirty. There is a dilemma that happens, do I wash it or just rinse it out. If I rinse it out I will know that the inside wasn’t clean…and I will be thinking about how it will affect the taste of my coffee as well as how it could affect my health to ingest bacteria from a dirty cup. I could drink from it, but I won’t.

I would imagine that you would do the same – wash the cup.
If you’re anything like me, you care about your health and you want to ensure you take care of yourself…and cleaning is one way to help prevent illness and all-round health issues.

Jesus addressed a very real spiritual health issue with these religious leaders.
He was harsh, but straight with them. They looked the part, but on the inside they were unclean. Instead of dealing with their spiritual dirt, they pretended everything was okay. They pretended to have it all together, but in their personal lives it was all falling apart. Have you been there? Have you at times pretended everything was okay, but deep inside you knew that there was dirt that needed removing? That’s the conviction of the Holy Spirit! He longs to cleanse us completely. Without this continual cleansing – a full surrender is impossible. We cannot run from this heart issue. We have to confront the dirt. Without confronting it, we will have this barrier between us and God. The cleansing which comes from getting rid of the dirt is freeing as well! Jesus went on to call these Pharisees “white washed tombs” – they looked good on the outside but on the inside they were dead inside. This is a scary commentary by Jesus. I hope and pray none of us receives this kind of appraisal of our spiritual lives. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be dead inside. I don’t want to pretend everything is “holy” on the outside but inside it is anything but holy.

Are you prepared to clean the inside of your cup?
Are there areas that still need cleansing in your life today?
It can be a barrier and without that cleansing a detriment to our faith journey.
So let’s confess to the Lord today and allow Him access (perhaps once again) to our hearts and hidden spaces of our lives that no one else sees.

Prayer: Dear Lord, cleanse me from the inside out. I want to be yours completely. Show me the places that require your cleansing. Cleanse my mind from all malice and unhealthy thought. Wash me clean and make me whiter than snow so that I can move past any barriers that keep me from full surrender. Lead me today Lord and show me your glory! In Your name I pray all of these things. Amen.

January 27, 2017 0

2016 Capped a Big Year for Pastorsponderings!!

for an unprecedented three years in a row, Pastorponderings has hit 100,000 views.
This is unbelievable, and I would like to thank you for reading and sharing with us your thoughts and concerns. We pondered a lot in 2016, and I anticipate big things in this new year of 2017! As January is quickly winding down, it is my hope that we can continue to explore challenging topics together and ponder deeply this life that we have been given.

Thank you everyone, please continue to express your ponderings with us here on pastorsponderings.org and also continue to share this site with others! Let’s grow together!

January 27, 2017 0

Dear Salvation Army, Kingdom Building or Empire Building?

Dear Salvation Army,
is our mission still for souls?
Are we stubbornly standing between souls condemned and the gates of hell itself?
Are we still the voice calling out for justice when all other voices are silent or too broken to speak? Can we boldly declare in faith that “we’re going to fill, fill, fill the world with glory?”

Dear soldier, no matter who you are, no matter what rank you hold, no matter if you hold a position of power and prominence or you simply come to your corps hall on Sundays – we are all equally vital not only to The Salvation Army, but to this mighty Kingdom building process that the Holy Spirit is doing in our world today! This require faithfulness and diligence on our part. If we merely offer lip service to God and don’t believe that He will provide the way, then we already defeated. Where ever your ministry is located in our world, without faith, hope and love we are doomed to only good works which isn’t enough! No, we must still be willing to storm the forts of darkness. We must be prepared to stand firm even when the ground of culture and morality erodes at our feet. We cannot lose ground and cave to becoming complacent or comfortable. Our calling has never been one of apathy but empathy, compassion and grace.

A Word Of Warning To Empire Building:
Dear soldier, I will also caution you that if you come to this army seeking notoriety, position, power and to establish and build your empire, these efforts will severely damage our mission as a movement. This is not a platform for showboating or ego stroking. This army should never be about climbing the ladder of corporate success or vying for places of authority…and yet I fear it has happened and currently does happen. Some will contend that these are isolated incidents, but it boils down to matters of the heart and depth of our surrender to Christ himself. John the baptist even declared about Jesus – “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) And when the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest disciple – Jesus pointed to the little children and told them “…For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)

Jesus had a way of turning common practice on its head.
Perhaps as an Army need to do this from time to time; to buck trends or notions of common practice in order to experience full surrender and lead with compassion and grace.

Dear Soldier, if you are currently building an empire – perhaps it’s time to seek repentance and reconciliation or depart this movement altogether. This may be strong words to read, but you are not helping to spur on this movement, you are attempting to subvert it with selfish ambitions and sinful pride. Either humble yourselves or you will be humbled by God. I say these words first to myself and then to anyone else this may apply to. Without the constant and compassionate correction of the Holy Spirit how can we ever expect to grow and mature into this faith? And what is this faith, but a transformation of our selfishness into selflessness and the image of Christ in and through everything that we are and do.

The Charge:
Lastly, let me encourage you.
Each and every one of you are important to God’s kingdom.
Don’t ever forget this. Regardless of how human leadership has treated you in the past whether within the Army or from outside (for we know that all forms of leadership has its flaws and imperfections but for the King of kings and Lord of Lords) YOU. MAKE. A. DIFFERENCE! You matter!! Do not listen to anyone who only has criticism or harmful things to say to you that does not help build to you up. Surround yourself with encouragers who will challenge you to be all that you can be for Christ Jesus. Live for Him. Die to self, and know that we serve a mighty army that is so much bigger than any one person, name or rank. We have to get serious about making disciples in our Army. We have to tear down walls of division and bring reconciliation to our corners of the world.
Do not become overwhelmed in this work that you do…one day at a time, one heart at a time…when we are faithful to Him, He will provide the strength and wisdom that we require in order to march on. Stand firm, Dear Soldier…Stand firm.

Something more to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

Disclaimer: “The thoughts and opinions expressed here are not necessarily the thoughts and opinions of The Salvation Army, but are that of the author of this blog, reader discretion is advised.”

January 26, 2017 2

Day 26 (Thursday) “The Missing Link…”

“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” -Romans 13:10

How do we stop the hatred and the violence in our world?
It begins with you and me.
It starts here in our prayer life, in our hearts, in our actions towards others.
Far too often the reasons that we hate are because we are selfish creatures. We think that world revolves around us, and so our response to the world is all about ME, myself and I.
When Jesus came to this earth He not only declared that the Kingdom of heaven was here, but it didn’t start with the self-inflated, me first emphasis – it begins with two principles:
1) Love the Lord your God, and then 2) Love others.

This is the missing link…
This is the lost-ness of the fallen world.
When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they disobeyed, they operated on a selfish principle that broke God’s heart. Since that first act of selfish disobedience, our world has remained in a revolving door of selfishness.

So…what is love?

It requires us to take that step towards our neighbor…
who is our neighbor? Jesus said, through the parable of the Good Samaritan, that our neighbor is not only those who look like us, act like us, and talk like us, but even people who are the exact opposite or those we do not see eye to eye. Loving our neighbors takes us far beyond that which we are comfortable with. It requires our selflessness to embrace this missing link of love.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Basically while we were still ignorant and blind in our sins Jesus died for us. When we didn’t deserve love, God gave love. Even when we were spiteful, merciless, and cruel, God loved us. This is the missing link in our world today! The lack of love for those we would consider our enemies…those we would consider to be those we avoid. Thank goodness God didn’t avoid us and our ignorance in sin.

If we are to become the very image of Christ in the world today, we have to take up our crosses and follow Him in displaying love for EVERYONE including those who do not look like us, act like us, or talk like us. This love is inclusive and offered to all who seek Him. This is the missing link in our world.
This is our missing hope for peace.
This is our only hope for redemption – Love, Divine Love.

Questions to Ponder today:
Are there prejudices in my life right now that divide those I love from those I hate?
How can I tear down those walls and embrace this missing link of Divine love in my life today?
How can I learn to forgive as Christ forgave me?
What are some ways that I can go and talk to my neighbor with love, respect and grace?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see others the way you see them. I want to embrace this divine love in my life today! Show me who my neighbors are. Help me to reflect your grace and love. Tear down these walls of division and prejudice in my heart today. Show your Kingdom in those I meet and help me to be your kingdom builder in all that I do and say in this day. In Your name I pray all of these things. -Amen.

January 26, 2017 0

Day 25 (Wednesday) “Our Dwelling Place”

“One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.” -Psalm 27:4

Have you ever been on a long trip and when it comes time to head for home, you have this longing for that home? You miss your bed, the comforts and familiarity, the sounds at night, the smells..all because it is your home. It is something you know and long for.

David felt this way too.
His focus was, however on the God’s home.
His heart longed to be with God and he even declares “this only do I seek”.
It wasn’t about the building or the structure of the dwelling place that David was pining for, it was the presence of God. He longed to dwell with God, to be with the familiar all consuming presence, to take in His glory day after day.

Do we think like David thought within this Psalm?
Is there a longing to dwell where God dwells? Do we hunger and thirst for God like David writes about here? I wonder how much time we devote to thinking about dwelling with God in our average day? Is it merely just a weekend occurrence that I think about God? Is it just on Sundays when I’m in church? It doesn’t, or shouldn’t have to be. It can be every day…multiple times a day. Training our thoughts to meditate on God in this way will help us engage relationally with God even in our hectic schedules. It doesn’t have to be complicated or drawn out, there just needs to be a heart and mind focus in order to make that happen. Continually meditating on God is actually bringing us into His dwelling place. Think about that for a second. When we long for God in this way, we begin to align our life’s priorities into the right order. As kingdom builders, we cannot build unless we start from the right source – His dwelling place.

So how about it?
Is there a longing in you to be where God dwells?
Jesus said, “the kingdom is here”…when we think and long for that kingdom and the presence of God, we are immediately transported into His presence. Begin your day today by asking God to take you to his dwelling place. Long after this thought. Bring it to mind constantly today, and discover this mental and spiritual transformation occur in your life.

Prayer: Lord may your Kingdom come and your will be done in my life today. Help me to live as your kingdom builder today within your dwelling place. Build your kingdom in and through my life today! Develop in me your familiar halls of holiness. I long to be in your very presence today. Lead me Lord. In your name I pray these things…-Amen.

January 25, 2017 0

Day 24 (Tuesday) – Have You Any Room?

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..”
-1 Peter 3:5

The old hymn entitled “Have You Any Room For Jesus” says this in the chorus:
Room for Jesus, King of Glory!
Hasten now His Word obey;
Swing the heart’s door widely open,
Bid Him enter while you may.

It begs the question of us today – do you have room for Jesus in your crazy busy life, and if so, how much room are you giving him? Do you rent out that space to him only on the weekends and Sunday or is this a daily, moment by moment relationship? We live in a very convenient world. We have apps on our phone that help us with shopping lists and keeping notes, and tracking our daily steps so that we stay in shape. There are even apps to remind us to have devotions as we attempt to fit all of our business into our day. But when it is all said and done, beyond our modern conveniences, is there truly room in our hearts for God? Have we intentionally invited him into our moment by moment existence? Can we boldly declare that in all things we are giving God praise?

The priority here is not witnessing. That might sound shocking to some of you. But the very first priority is being holy people. When we live up to being truly set apart for God, then the outpouring of our hearts will be our testimony and our praise to Him. Sometimes we are so action oriented and about getting things done and checking another item off of our “to do” list that we forget to simply be in the presence of God. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” This isn’t some egotistical announcement from God, instead it is a reminder of the very first priority of our life – Keep God first above all other things! Set apart in your heart a place for Him – in ALL THINGS! When we place this at the forefront of all that we do, we will find that everything is now viewed through the lens of God – and this will make all of the difference. Forget about what you will say to others about Jesus…that might sound funny. But stop worrying about what comes next in your witness to others, and BE in the presence of God – from this will flow your adoration and love so that others will see and believe.

So how about it?
Are you prepared to not only set apart you heart and life to the Lord? Are you prepared to sit in His presence? It starts here…have you any room?

Prayer: Lord, help me to approach this life with the right priorities. I confess that there are times when I have not made you my first priority. Help me to invite you into every aspect of my life. Help me to see that without you I will lose focus and my witness in this crazy world. Be with me today, I invite you in, and in the empty spaces, Lord fill it with your holy presence. In your name I pray all of these things. -Amen.

January 24, 2017 0