Come Over and Help Us (and other devotionals)

"Come Over and Help Us"

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night.  A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them (Acts 16:9-10).

The world is in need and they are calling!  I can hear Africa, Asia, voices from South America and Europe calling out.  China and Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines…voices from around the globe crying out, "Come over and help us!"

The call may be coming from down your street or from the next aisle in the grocery store.  "Help me!  I'm lost.  I want to find God.  I have problems I can't cope with.  I have an aching void in my heart that I don't know how to fill.  Is there anyone out there with answers?!"

Who will go to them if not you and me? 

To say, "I don't feel called to go to them," is equivalent to a strong swimmer standing on the shore of a lake saying he doesn't feel called to save the man drowning before his eyes. 

Ask God today to direct you to someone whose heart has cried out for answers and help.  Chances are you won't have to go too far to find them.

~Bayless Conley~

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A Man who Found his Home

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? - Mark 8:36

Several years ago, I had asked my neighbor if she knew of someone who did handyman work. She immediately replied, "Use Larry. He is a Christian and homeless. He only has a car and a beeper." I had seen this man frequently in the neighborhood. He was very clean-cut and polite.  While speaking to him, I knew that the Lord wanted me to ask him about his home life. I said to the Lord (in my mind), "But Lord he doesn't have a home."  I heard again, "His home in Heaven." So, I asked Larry about his home life and that sparked a long response as to what happened to him. Larry told me that he used to be a multimillionaire who lived in a 32-room mansion.  At first, I was not sure if I believed him, but my neighbor confirmed that his story was true. She knew Larry during those days. Through a variety of circumstances, he became homeless.  Now he lives in his car, doing handiwork jobs for a living and ministering to the homeless.  He said to me, "I have lived in the best addresses in Rancho Santa Fe but I'm no longer concerned about those addresses. I constantly keep my mind focused on my next Home address." He said that many people are living in homes but they are truly homeless because they are empty inside. They have no peace. He quoted me his favorite verses that he claimed on a daily basis:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances may be. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any, and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”  (Philippians 4:11-12 paraphrased).

After we finished talking with each other, I started meditating on those verses. I noticed that "I have learned" is mentioned twice. Learning to be content is a choice. Larry was not immune to fear, loneliness, worry or doubts. Larry had troubles but he trusted in Jesus' words. We are only passing through earth in these temporary tents to get to our eternal home in heaven. The world's promises do not bring peace, but Jesus brings peace. Remembering that we have a reservation in heaven keeps us focused on what matters most.

The fruit of Larry's homeless life has led many homeless and hopeless people to Christ. Larry learned to live for what matters most. Larry is now at his new permanent address as he went home to be with the Lord in his early 60s. Larry lived the second half of his life with nothing but a car and beeper; however, Larry gained everything because he lived his life here for his eternal home. 

~Daily Disciples Devotional~

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Is Jesus Your Stumbling Block or Your Stepping Stone?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus Christ will be either a stepping stone into heaven or a stumbling stone into hell. No one can be neutral about Jesus Christ. Either you rise on Him, or you fall on Him. You cannot walk around Him. Either you’re saved by Him or you’re judged by Him.

ACTION POINT:

You will encounter Jesus Christ. He is inevitable. He is unavoidable. He is inescapable. What you do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesus Christ will do with you. What are you doing with Jesus Christ today?

~Adrian Rogers~

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How to Hold On

Psalms 37:5-7

Job was a man who certainly knew trouble and temptation, and yet he boldly claimed, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job13:15). That is commitment. Job had lost his children, his fortune, and his health, but he refused to abandon faith in God. The stricken man was determined to hold on because he trusted the Lord to do right.

Unwavering commitment to trust the Lord in all situations is a cornerstone of unshakable faith. From the vantage point of that foundation, we can focus our eyes upon God alone. It is easy to be distracted by circumstances and allow them to dictate our emotions. But if that's the case, then when life is good, we're happy; when times are tough, we're frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we're downright miserable and looking for escape.

Unlike Job, we are fortunate to have Scripture, which reveals God's nature and promises. And it is a wise believer who claims those promises when enduring hardship. For His Word tells us that our Father is always good, always just, always faithful, and always trustworthy. When we take our eyes off the whirl of day-to-day activity and concentrate on honoring Him and following in His way, we find a consistent peace that carries us through both plenty and poverty.

In order to hold on to God through any trial or temptation, commit to trust and follow Him all of your days. Lay claim to His promises: The unchanging Lord and Savior (Heb. 13:8) is committed to caring for you in all circumstances (1 Peter 5:7) and will never leave or forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~