Being Used of God - At Any Age

As you read the Bible you will find several people who are advanced in age.  It is interesting that these people were willing – and even eager – to keep working for the Lord or to take on new tasks for Christ and His Kingdom.  One of those individuals was Caleb, who along with Joshua, after wandering with the Children of Israel in the wilderness, were sent into Canaan (the Promised Land) to spy out the land.  To show the abundance of the land the spies came back with abundant, delicious produce. However, despite the great produce ten of the twelve spies gave a negative report focusing on the giants and fortified cities.  Their counsel was that Israel should stay put and not advance into that territory. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb gave an optimistic report and encouraged advancement into the land.  They admitted that the giants and fortified cities were obstacles, but with God’s miraculous power these obstacles could be overcome.

After Israel moved into the land Caleb made these comments. “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:10-12).

 

Notice several important characteristics of this 85-year-old man of God.

 

1)      God was in control of his life and was not finished with him – “he has kept me alive.”

2)      He believed that he was able to take on the task – “So here I am today … strong … vigorous.”

3)      He was willing to accept a difficult job – “To go out to battle … Now give me this hill country.”

4)      He trusted in the Lord and his help – “the LORD helping me.”

5)      He expected great results – “I will drive them out.”  All this at 85 years of age!

 

Lessons from this text for all of us – even for those who are advanced in years.

 

·         God is in control of our lives and is not finished with us.

·         God has a task that He wants to accomplish through us.

·         We need to be willing to take on the task that God has given us and believe that He will provide help and support.

·         We can expect results in our work that will exalt the Lord and bring honor and glory to Him.

 

As an adult, are you ready to let God use you?  What task are you ready to take on for Christ and His Kingdom?

School is in Session

September marks the time when children return to the classroom.  As a school-age child, I remember the great anticipation I had to get back to school after the summer recess.  That anticipation was not because I had a desire to study, but because I wanted to be back with my friends, and I wanted to enjoy the many extra-curricular activities school provided.  Even though children may enjoy school relationships and fun events, the focus of school is education and learning.

When it comes to spiritual things it might be appropriate to say that school is always in session.  None of us will ever outgrow our need for education and learning about spiritual matters.  Ezra, the Old Testament priest, set the example for learning about God and growing as explained in Scripture. “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

This verse suggests three aspects that characterized Ezra’s life which should also characterize ours as well.

1)      Specific Focus.  “Devoted” should be the task when Scripture is studied.  In addition, the study of God and His Word should be a priority.  We need to fully embrace God’s Word, have a strong love for it, and be focused on it.  Our commitment should be to learn all we can about God and His Word.

2)      Personal Application.  The outcome of biblical study should be the “observance” of the Word of God.  To observe means much more than simply acquiring knowledge about God.  To observe means to put into practice in daily living.

3)      Continued Involvement.  “Teaching” God’s Word to others needs to be an ongoing responsibility of all who study the Bible.  Whether you have the title of "teacher" or not, you teach by what you say and how you act.  In spite your age, God’s Word, when applied to life provides guidance and direction for you and for others.

Where are you when it comes to God’s Word?  Remember, your life is an example to others.  Are you devoting yourself to the study and observance of God’s Word?  My suggestion for you today is to take time to review the above verse.  Ask yourself, “What does God want me to do as I study God’s Word and apply it to my life?”  Don't forget that when it comes to Christian living, school is always in session.  Why?  Because there is always more to learn and put into practice. Your life will teach others.

Following Directions

A helpful modern-day instrument that gives location and directions for travel is a GPS.  The Global Positioning System is a satellite-based navigation system which is made up of a network of 24 satellites.  These satellites were originally placed in orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense for military use.  However, in the 1980s, the government made this system available for use by civilians.  When a destination address is placed in a GPS it does not matter where the person is located.  The system automatically calculates the route from where you are to the intended destination.  All you must do is follow directions.

When Jesus invites us to follow Him, He wants us to start from where we are.  We do not need to clean up our lives.  We do not have to complete a bunch of good deeds.  We do not need to do anything to change.  He simply wants us to start following.  After we decide to follow Jesus and begin the wonderful journey of walking with Him, He will teach us and guide us and give us what we need to serve Him.  The Bible tells us about Simon and Andrew who were invited to follow Jesus.  We are told, “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-19).

Notice these aspects of this story:

1. Jesus gave an Invitation. “Come, follow me.”  Jesus had a task for the disciples to accomplish.  This invitation was more than a simple request by Jesus; it was a command.  The call that came to the disciples was one that not only needed to be heard, it needed to be followed.
2. Jesus Made a commitment to provide Training.  “I will make you fishers of men.”  Jesus knew that the task He was going to ask the disciples to do was extremely important.  And, if that task was to be accomplished He was willing to invest time with the disciples to teach, train, encourage and guide them.
3. Jesus expected a Response.  “At once they left their nets and followed him.”  The disciples accepted the invitation and immediately left what they were doing and followed Jesus.  There was no hesitation on their part to respond positively to Jesus.

Are you willing to heed the call of Jesus to follow Him?  Are you ready for the training that He will give you for the task He wants you to do?  Are you willing to respond to Jesus though immediate obedience?

What God is Doing that is New

I am always amazed when I consider information in the Bible which explains God’s desire to do something new for us, with us, or through us.  For example:

• God wants us to have “new life” (Romans 6:4).
• When we die to our sins we can “serve in the new way of the Spirit” (Romans 7:6).
• Communion is a reminder of a “new covenant” in His blood (I Corinthians 11:25)
• In Christ we are a “new creation” (II Corinthians 5:17).
• In Christ we are to “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
• Christ is “the mediator of a new covenant” between God and man (Hebrews 9:15).
• We can come boldly before God in prayer because of the “new and living way opened for us” through what Jesus did on the cross (Hebrews 10:20).
• Through Christ we have “new birth” (I Peter 1:3).
• When speaking about Israel, God said, “See I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Let me ask, what new thing is God doing in your life?  What do you sense is the “new thing” that God is doing in your church?  What new thing is God doing in your family?  What praise is on your lips to God for the new thing that He is doing for you, for your church or for your family?  Maybe, if we take time to carefully look at and acknowledge the things that God is doing in our lives, each of us can say that he will put “A new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). That would be a wonderful testimony of God’s grace and a great encouragement to others around us.

Encouragement

There are many things that happen in our world which become a discouragement to us such as violence, fatigue, stress at work or at home, difficulties with finances, fighting, wars, health concerns and many other things.  When we experience problems, we are faced with pressure that drains us of our strength and energy. Being discouraged means that we have been deprived of our confidence and hope.  All of this is debilitating and saps the joy from our lives.  If that is the case for us, it is the same for other people.

When discouragement sets in, we desperately need something that lifts us up, encourages us, and lessens the negative or at least turns it into something positive.  In Scripture the Apostle Paul points to important instruction on this topic when he says, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).

Here are some implications for us from this verse:

1)    God is the source of spiritual encouragement – “God who gives endurance and encouragement.”   We will never find eternal encouragement in “things of the world” but only in that which God provides.

2)    Spiritual encouragement leads to unity – “Give you a spirit of unity…as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Once we have been encouraged by God, He also provides the ability to be unified with others of like precious faith.

3)    Spiritual encouragement primes us for giving glory to God – “With one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  As we are encouraged spiritually our desire will be to give God the glory that is due Him for all the wonderful things He does in this world and has done for us personally.

So, the next time you become discouraged, turn to God.  Let the spiritual encouragement you receive from Him prompt you to breathe a prayer of thanks to God for His incredible power.  Ask God to continue to work in and through you for His honor and glory.  Is there someone whom you need to encourage today with a telephone call, email or text?  Do it now.

Where are you Going?

Where are you going?” was the question the traffic officer asked the motorist who, because he was late for an important meeting, had rushed the light making a quick left turn in front of oncoming traffic.  The motorist was a seminary student who told the officer, “I’m studying for the ministry, and I was hurrying to get to a special meeting.”  To which the officer replied, “You better slow down, or you are going to get to heaven before you want to.”  He gave the student a warning ticket and let him go.

The question the officer asked is a good question for all of us to consider about life.  “Where are you going?”  Isn’t it logical to think that life consists of more than simply living a few short years and then dying?  I’m afraid that many people are rushing through life trying to enjoy every minute, but they forget to answer the all-important question, “Where are you going?”

Listen to what the Bible tells us about heaven:

1)    Heaven is God’s gift to us.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

2)    Heaven can be ours through Christ.  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:11-12).

3)    Jesus is preparing heaven for those who have put their trust in Him.  “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

4)    Our good works cannot attain heaven.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

5)    Heaven is assured to those who personally receive Christ. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

So, “Where are you going?”  Are you ready to meet God?  Are you confident that if you should die tonight you would go to heaven?  You can be ready to meet God and be assured of heaven.  How?  All you need to do is to put your faith in God and trust Him alone.  Pray to God.  Ask Him to forgive your sins, come into your life, and be your Savior.  He will.  And then with complete confidence your answer to the “Where are you going?” question will be “heaven”. The Apostle John confirms this when he says,  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (I John 5:13).

Freedom

On July 4, 1776, America claimed its independence from Britain and democracy was born.  Every day people leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.  On this holiday each year, those who are Americans celebrate freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, services, fly-overs, and family gatherings.

In our country we enjoy both national freedom and individual freedom.  But there is another freedom that we do not think much about on the 4^th of July and that is spiritual freedom.  In the New International Version of the Bible, there are 24 references to the word “freedom”.  It is interesting that God sent Jesus Christ into the world to provide spiritual freedom for us. The Apostle Paul reminded his hearers of spiritual freedom available in Christ when he said, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (II Corinthians 3:17). It was Jesus who also said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Luke 4:19-20). Jesus further reminded people that freedom comes through truth when He said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

When the disciples asked Jesus about the way to heaven, He replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  Spiritual freedom comes from Jesus and it is found in Him.  As we approach our country’s day of reflection let’s rejoice in the national and individual freedom we have.  However, I would also encourage you to think about the spiritual freedom that is available for you and me.  Have you received the freedom that Christ came to give?  Turn in faith to Christ today.  He will set you free and you will find yourself enjoying spiritual freedom. The Apostle Paul summed up this freedom when he said, “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).