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2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NASB
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Personal Challenge…
Once again the scripture reminds me that, “it is not about me!” Life is about our Lord and Savior and His work and His plans. I love how Paul teaches us that God’s grace is sufficient for us, that His power working through our weaknesses is how Christ gets manifested in our lives. I must become less so that He can become more. I must submit so that He can take over. I must be content with where He is leading me and what He is doing in my life because He is doing it for His plans…which are much greater than I will ever be able to imagine.

John 15:19 NASB (Jesus speaking)
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

Encouraging Words…
Have you ever considered the possibility that the people around you are after you because you are living a life that glorifies Christ? Granted it may be because you are living a worldly life and rubbing against people, but if you are living your life in a way that Christ is glorified, that points people to Him and his saving grace, that is contrary to what the world deems as popular and correct…then you can know that people will be uncomfortable with you and even persecute and ostracize you. The question that I must always be asking myself is, “Who am I living for and can people who look at me see Him?”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NASB
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Words of Encouragement…
I think that one of my favorite books of the Bible is Ecclesiastes. The author has spent his entire life pursuing wisdom and this is his final collection of thoughts. Throughout the book we are reminded that all in life is futile…except our relationship with God. Here he reminds us that our life here on earth boils down to fearing (respecting, holding in awe, etc.) God and obeying Him. All else is just futile and will be burnt up in the end. Isn’t this also the key to trying to live our lives with a desire to be like Christ…fearing the Father and obeying Him? As many of our prayers during our Sunday service remind us, “Lord, have mercy.”

Proverbs 10:19 NASB
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalm 11:7 NASB
For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

Personal Challenge…
Why is that I sometimes slip into the mode of thinking that just because I have received Christ then I can live life the way that I want? This verse reminds me that our LORD is righteous, that He loves righteousness, and if I want to see His face then I must live my life as an upright (righteous) person. Salvation is an ongoing work that God is performing in my life and He wants me to be active in my pursuit of Him and His desires.

James 4:8a NASB
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Personal Challenge…
Ever have one of those days when you need to feel God’s presence in your life? It is a two way street, a reciprocal relationship…as we draw near to Him He draws near to us.

1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Personal Challenge…
People often ask if participating in practices such as Lent or fasting or tithing is coming under the law. I guess if we do these things as if submitting to the law then yes they are. However, if we do these things to develop a disciplined life, to allow God to be the master over our lives rather than things in our life like food and wealth, then we are developing our spiritual muscles. It is really not any different that going to the gym to develop our physical muscles.

John 12:25-26 NIV
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Personal Challenge…
Serving Him means that we will follow Him on whichever path He choses to take us. I so often ask God to watch over my path and make it straight and smooth, when I should be asking Him to lead me onto His path. His ways are not my ways and if I am to be a true servant I need to eagerly pursue His paths that He has laid out for me.

Lamentations 3:22-26 NASB
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.

Encouraging Words…
He is always there…am I hoping in Him, am I waiting for Him, am I seeking Him, am I waiting silently for His salvation?

Matthew 18:1-6 NASB
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Personal Challenge…
On my last trip to Haiti I spent a day helping the medical team serve the people of Savannes. This little girl had been in line with her mother and sister for a long time and was a very unhappy camper. When I motioned for her to come over and sit on my lap she hesitated, but her mother encouraged her. The crying and the sniffles stopped and my heart melted as I was reminded that the kingdom of God belongs to people with hearts as tender as hers. I know that my heart needs to be broken and contrite for Him.