The Judge (and other devotionals)

The Judge

Acts 10:42-48

During our life on earth, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. However, as our days here draw to a close, and especially at the end of time, He takes His seat as Judge and prepares to reward believers for the good things they did in His name.

I think there is a widespread misconception that God the Father will be our judge. But it is Christ who gave us, His followers, the charge to go into the world and make disciples (Matt. 28:19). Therefore, He has been given the right to determine which of our actions and thoughts furthered His goal (John 5:22).

Christ is an impartial judge. He is not influenced by what others think or say, but rather, He determines what is right and good based on His honorable, just standard. We'll be stripped of our worthless works--in other words, the actions and words we used for selfish ambition or vain conceit. All that will remain are the worthwhile things we thought, said, and did to honor God. These are the valuable parts of our lives for which we will be rewarded.

Reward is the whole point of placing believers before the judgment seat of Christ. Shame and guilt over past sin and mistaken motivation have no place there (Rom. 8:1). Our loving Savior is eager to show us our heavenly treasure.

Christ will expose the real you at the judgment seat by casting away the worthless things you've done. What remains will be the man or woman who endeavored to please the Lord. Let us determine to be powerful reflections of our Savior, both on earth and in heaven.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

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God Has a Way of Balancing Things

When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Genesis 29:31

God has a way of balancing the scales. I have seen it with money, with time and, as this verse says, with love. Leah was "unloved" but Rachel was adored by Jacob. Leah had children and Rachel was barren. Not all things are that cut and dry spiritually, but all things are in the hands of the Lord. He is the One who opens and closes wombs. He is the One who determines the day of our birth and knows the day of our death. Moreover, even though Jacob loved Rachel more than he loved Leah, Leah was married to Jacob years longer and Leah was buried with Jacob.  God does not do these things to punish us or hurt us: but to balance us.

While there are blessings, there are also burdens. That balances us. If life here were perfect, would anyone want to go to heaven? Think about it: we all want to go to heaven but no one wants to die, even though life is hard here.  You may not be getting something you have been praying for—a long time. It might be something that others get so easily, but for you, you are begging God for answers, yet without seeing it. If this is you, look at the circumstances differently.

Instead of begging God for what you do not have, start thanking Him for all you do have. Instead of feeling badly about what you are missing on earth, start asking Him to give you a heart to have many things in heaven. We are only passing through here but heaven is for eternity. God knows what is best to keep you balanced. Start praising Him. Start praying to Him about pleasing His heart instead of asking Him to please yours. He loves you. Try seeking His face instead of His hand, and you will receive His peace that surpasses everything else.

~Daily Disciples Devotional~

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Wholehearted or Halfhearted?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The light of the body is the eye: Therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” Luke 11:34

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Joshua chapter fourteen tells us something very interesting about a man named Caleb. Three times the Holy Spirit says Caleb “wholly followed the Lord God” (vv. 8, 9, 14). Every ounce of Caleb was given to the Lord.

This is the kind of heart you and I should have if we call ourselves Christians. The devil is going to intimidate a fainthearted man. And there’s only one way to stand against the devil. That is to give everything to Jesus Christ. Indeed, God does not accept half-hearted religion.

It would be better for you to say that there is no God than for you to say that He doesn’t mean that much to you, He doesn’t make a difference in your life, He doesn’t stir your heart to love Him.

ACTION POINT:

God is looking for wholeheartedness. “With my whole heart I have sought Thee.” (Psalm 119:10) Can you say this to the Lord today?

~Adrian Rogers~

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Living with Passion

I want to focus your attention today on two passages.  The first is Ecclesiastes 9:10,

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

The second passage is Colossians 3:23,

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

Do you see the common theme?  God desires us to live our lives full out, with passion.  Whether you are a preacher, a writer, a teacher, or a singer, whatever you do, you are to do it with passion.  You are to throw yourself into it.

People are attracted to passion.  They want to see someone who is burning with a fiery zeal for whatever they do!

In my opinion, the greatest example of a passionate person is Jesus.  Remember the story when Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple?  That was a passionate act.  In fact, the end of that passage says, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."

Zeal is just another word for passion.  "Passion for Your house has eaten Me up!"  Have you ever tried to imagine Jesus doing that?  I have a very clear image of what that must have been like.

He is whipping these guys and they are running, covering their heads.  He is throwing over these big tables and the disciples are watching with their mouths wide open, when they remember the verse, "Zeal (passion) for Your house has eaten Me up."

Let me ask you a question:  When is the last time you were eaten up with zeal for anything?  When is the last time you were utterly passionate about anything?

Don't just sleepwalk through life.  You need to decide you are going to live!

~Bayless Conley~