Quiet Time: Beware the Winner

Beware the Winner

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. – Genesis 14:20

And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. – Genesis 14:20

Abram had his household trained and ready to fight, but God immediately sent Melchizedek, the priest, to remind him Who gave the victory.

Winning can tempt us into believing that we are somehow better than the next man. Since everyone loves a winner, the victor is often celebrated and lifted up by those around him. That’s where the danger lies. 

The bible tells us that a man tested by the praise accorded him (Proverbs 27:21). We see also, that many trust in the strength of their arsenal or their own preparations and personal skill.  (Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 20:7). 

As Christ followers, we must always remember that our Father God is the giver of all things good, and that includes every victory.

Quiet Time: Favor With God

Favor With God

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. -  Genesis 6:8 & 9

The whole world was going nuts, following every sin and source of debauchury imaginable. One man and his family stood alone unmoved by the sea of filth surrounding them. Noah. 

How was it possible for this pitiful little band of believers in the living God to maintain their faith and integrity under such unrelenting pressure to conform? They chose to walk by faith just like their great great grandfather, Enoch, had done.

Like Enoch, Noah, strove to walk through each day and face every circumstance as if God were right there with him. Noah chose to do what God told him to do which led him to walk in righteousness regardless of the daily challenge to change.

This world constantly works to divert our attention from the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We must set our hand to the task … lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Hebrews 12:1

Favor with God is found by walking in faith.

Do not grow weary (Gal. 6:9)

Quiet Time: The Pressure's On

The Pressure’s On

Stars shine brightest in the dark of night

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8

Paul, Silas, and Timothy held up the Thessalonian believers as examples of perseverance (hupomone: patience in difficult circumstances) and faith (to believe, to be fully persuaded) because they endured (anecho: to patiently wait) by the power of the indwelling Christ while in the middle of their persecutions (diogomos: hostile persecutions; being pursued by enemies) and afflictions (thlipsis: to crush or squeeze by outward circumstances). 

-  2 Thessalonians 1:4

Word got back to Paul, Silas, and Timothy regarding how well the Thessalonian Christians were holding up under intense pressure. These three patriarchs took this information to the churches in Corinth and Achaia, because they understood that being a Christian in a time of peace was great; but in a time of persecution was greater. 

To this day Christ followers are encouraged to stand firm because two thousand years ago the Thessalonian believers showed them how.  

Their perseverance has become our pattern to play the noblest part.

When God Wants To Drill A Man

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
 

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!

How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands! 

How He bends but never breaks

When his good He undertakes;

How He uses whom He chooses,

And which every purpose fuses him;

By every act induces him

To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.  

 - Anonymous