One night on the streets in Vancouver, we were setting up to do ministry. Our dramas haven’t even started yet, but I felt God telling me to go talk to the man sitting on a bench. What are we going to talk about? I wondered. Earlier that day, I learned about different evangelism tools, but right then my mind was a total blank! Yet the nudge in my heart was so strong and convicting that I had to obey. I was afraid to go, but God insisted.

It didn’t get easier right away. I chatted a bit with Sam, and told him that there was a book I thought he might be interested in. He politely declined. I tried to still share a bit about the book, and was thrilled when he picked up interest and took it: Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus.

That was the start of a precious friendship, and we continued to talk at the same street corner every week. By God’s grace, I was able to encourage this brother who was once baptized but had drifted away from God. It was a joy to walk alongside him as he turned to God once again. We prayed for his heart to be free. He bought a Bible. I even got to watch him share his faith with his friend.

God has really opened my eyes through all this. I learned that I didn’t need an agenda to start a conversation about God. I learned to not judge whether or not a person would accept Christ. And perhaps above all, I learned that God is always at work, whether or not we can see it…and the story doesn’t end here. To Him be the glory!

Evelyn is currently serving in her second year as a DRIME member in Vancouver. Please keep the Vancouver team in your prayers as they meet people like Sam on a regular basis!

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Romans 8:6, KJV

I believe the truth of this verse may speak to a common cause of depression among Christians who allow their minds to dwell on ungodly thoughts and/or over-introspection.

Paul writes: “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires” (Galatians 5:16,17).

Our minds are susceptible to the influence of our old sin- nature and, as such, can pose real dangers to us. As soon as we get out of step with the Holy Spirit and get our focus off the Lord, our minds begin to give us trouble.

“The Christian life is really simple,” I heard a pastor say recently. “It’s simply doing what we’re told to do.” And he is right. We will be spiritually minded, not carnally minded, if we obey the simple commands of God’s Word.

Bible Reading: Romans 8:5-11

Today’s Action Point: Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, I will give the spiritual mind priority over the carnal mind in my life.

But my story is real, and so it matters. So does yours. As we live out our stories together, whenever our stories overlap, it leaves a mark. If we’re willing, these marks can change us, and we can change the world. But it’s complicated because we don’t always know how to share our stories. Often we don’t know where they’re headed, or even how we got here.

The important thing is that you have a story, and your story matters, because the author of the story has been guiding it every step of the way, whether you realize it or not.

God can use you and your story to impact the lives of untold numbers of people if you let him. So, what’s your story?

Related:
Crave: The Documentary – This video explores how regardless of race, background, or spirituality, we all have one thing in common: the cravings of our soul.
Crave Resources – How can you use the concept of “soul cravings” to make a difference?

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” (Matthew 28:29, The Message)

“I am the way.” (John 14:6)

When farmers harvest corn, they often leave stalks of the plants as mulch for future crops or to catch snow over winter months to provide additional moisture for the crops. Sometimes farmers will cut stalks to ground level in a special design to form a maze. People, especially during harvest festivals, enjoy walking through the maze to find their way out. The perplexing problem in a maze is that there are many “dead ends” and participants must start all over again.

A labyrinth—which at first glance appears similar to a maze—is quite different. A labyrinth has one pathway that leads from the entrance to the goal, albeit by a complex and winding route.

Just as people can easily confuse a maze with a labyrinth, they can identify the Christian life more with one than another. Some believe that walking with Christ is just one dead end after another. They find the crushing loss events of life—failure, death, divorce, etc.—to be evidence of a God they believe holds them at arm’s length, uninvolved or perhaps even manipulative.

But those who view their relationship with God as one where they walk together along labyrinth paths will identify God as a loving friend who knows the beginning as well as the end. While the route will be “complex and winding,” the One walking with us has an unobstructed view of the final destination.

His invitation is clear: Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

Questions: What analogy best describes your own current walk with God? How would it differ from a year ago, five years ago, or ten years ago?

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Have you experienced a prod from God while reading the Bible?

“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Tap, tap.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18).

Poke.

“But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15)

Nudge, nudge.

The Bible isn’t merely a classic ancient text that has stood the test of time; it is more than a masterpiece of literature and wisdom. God’s word is alive.

When I read the Bible in a spirit of readiness to hear God speak, He does. Words leap off the page as if they were written for me alone. Conviction burns through the fog of my denial and goes straight to my heart. God’s word is living and actively engages the one who reads it.

It comforts: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 34:18)

It instructs: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

It motivates: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25)

And it encourages: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23-24)

The God of the Universe is waiting to speak to you. Open the Bible today and listen to what He has to say.

Thank you Almighty God that You have given us the Bible – Your word – and that it is living and active. Help me to daily read and listen to what you say.  Amen.

Questions: When has God’s word come alive for you? How can we use the Bible to test the attitudes of our hearts?

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly.

Why does it take so long to change and grow? There are several reasons:

We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!”—but God knows better. We need repeated exposure.

We have a lot to unlearn. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, “I need you to fix me. I’ve got an hour.” Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately.

Growth is often painful and scary, but if you want the next ten years to be the best of your life, the work you are doing now will be well worth it. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Even if our old ways are self-defeating, we are tempted to return to them because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they are comfortable and familiar.

You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new, but what God has planned for you is far more than anything you can imagine. Stay steady at it, remembering that “little by little” God is clearing the way for you to grow and change.

Questions: What are some of the reasons why change can often take so long? Why should we remain hopeful if it seems like it’s taking awhile for God to “develop us”?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for August 13th, PM.

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.

“I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” Genesis 9:15

Notice the form of the promise. God does not say, “And when you remember and follow My covenant, then I will not destroy the earth.” What God actually said was “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-13) The covenant depends not on our memory, which is fickle and frail, but on God’s memory, which is infinite and unchangeable.

It is not my remembering God, it is God’s remembering me which forms the foundation of my security. It is not my laying hold of His covenant, but His covenant’s laying hold on me. Glory be to God! Our salvation is secured by divine power, and even the minor aspects, which we may imagine might have been left to us, are guarded by His almighty strength.

Even the remembrance of the covenant is not left to our memories, for we might forget! But our Lord cannot forget the saints, whose names He has written on the palms of His hands. He is with us as He was with Israel in Egypt; the blood was on the doorframes, but the Lord did not say, “When you see the blood I will pass over you,” but “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” (Exodus 12:13)

Looking to Jesus brings me joy and peace, but it is God’s looking to Jesus which secures my salvation and that of all His children. It is impossible for God to look at Christ (our bleeding Savior) and then to be angry with us for sins already punished in Him. No, it is not left with us to be saved by remembering the covenant. It is not upheld by our own effort, but of the Lord alone.

We should remember the covenant, and so we resolve do it through divine grace instead of our own power. But the hinge of our safety does not hang there. It is God’s remembering us, and hence the covenant is a beautiful and everlasting covenant.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

What did the apostle Paul mean when he wrote, “pray continually”? For one, he was indicating that we can live in an attitude of prayer even though we are engaged in everyday activity. This does not mean we walk around mumbling prayers to God, though there will be days when we pray much more than in others.

Instead, the indication here leans to one of opportunity. We can have a natural attitude of prayer surrounding our lives. Prayerfulness is a sign that we are dependent on the Lord and not on ourselves. Should you pray about trivial matters? Yes. God listens to every prayer. Prayers to find lost glasses or to mentally retrieve forgotten information are worthy requests.

God has called us to be people of prayer. Communication on this level is one of intimate fellowship with the Savior. It is through prayer that we discover the goodness and personal devotion of God. Though taking time to be alone with God is the ideal, we don’t have to limit ourselves. God hears our prayers no matter where we pray.

Oswald Chambers writes: “So many of us limit our praying because we are not reckless in our confidence in God. In the eyes of those who do not know God, it is madness to trust Him. But when we pray through the power of the Holy Spirit we realize the resources of God — He is our perfect heavenly Father, and we are His children.”

Question: When do you pray, and what do you usually pray about?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for March 5th, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

There are many ways of promoting Christian alertness. Among the many ways, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. In John Bunyan’s classic book “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” the characters named Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, “To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into deep discussion.” Christian enquired, “Brother, where shall we begin?” And Hopeful answered, “Where God began with us.” Then Christian sang this song:

“When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither
And hear how these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise
Thus to keep open their drowsy slumbering eyes.
Saints’ fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell.”

Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone are likely to grow drowsy. Keep company with fellow Christians and you will be kept wakeful, refreshed, and encouraged to make diligent progress on the road to heaven. But as you enjoy fellowship with others, take care that the theme of your conversation is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking to Him, let your heart be full of Him, and let your lips speak of His worth.

Friend, live near to the cross, and you will not sleep. Labor to meditate, with a deep sense of the value, about the place you will someday be going. If you remember that you are going to heaven, you will not sleep on the road. If you are aware that hell is conspicuously near, and the devil pursuing you, you will not dawdle. My friend, will you sleep while the pearly gates are open, with the songs of angels waiting for you to join them, and a crown of gold ready for your head? Certainly not! So in holy fellowship continue to watch and pray that you will not be led into temptation.

Questions: Are there times of life where you become complacent or unaware in your spiritual journey? How does Spurgeon suggest that you guard against this tendency?

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10)

A few years ago I put on a new identity by becoming a Canadian citizen. To qualify I was required to account for my whereabouts since moving to Canada, produce a birth certificate proving my United States origin, study a booklet about Canadian history, culture, and geography, take and pass a test, and stand before a judge to promise to be the best Canadian I could be. Soon I held official papers indicating my new status as a Canuck.

But in my other pocket, I still held a U.S. passport. That’s right. U.S. law allows its citizens to hold multiple citizenships. But it wasn’t always this way. For several decades Americans were required to revoke their U.S. citizenship if they became a citizen of any other country. During that era I chose not to become Canadian because I valued my American roots too much to let them go.

I kind of liked it that old way.

The old way required one to commit, to engage, to embrace. It required you to declare if you were one or the other, American or Canadian, and to put your legal identity where your heart was. The old way didn’t allow you to waffle, to play one identity today, and the other tomorrow.  By contrast, the new law allows you to flip flop. Today, when border crossing into the U.S., I can show my U.S. passport. Upon returning I can flash my Canadian one. Just who am I really?

While the parallel isn’t exact, the similarity to our identity as humans is unavoidable. We all begin with the baseline identity of being made in God’s image (imago dei) yet we are still in desperate need for renewal because of sin. The Good News is that when we recognize our failures, welcome God’s forgiveness, and embrace a new identity in Christ, we begin to shrug off the old self and take on the new. I like how Paul says it in Colossians as he explains why we should speak truthfully. Why? Because “you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Paul understands that this shifting and shaping of identity is a journey; we are being renewed. It’s a process. Knowing we are in a new relationship with God is a sure thing, yet growing in a new relationship with God requires us to commit, engage, and embrace his ways, study his book, stand strong when tested, and act on God’s promise of new life.

You will never find a lost passport and wonder whose it is. Their name is right there on the first page.  The question is, Where is that person on their journey? Are they embracing and acting on their new identity, or are they clinging to the old one?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Who does God say you are?

Question: Have you welcomed God’s forgiveness in your life to enjoy new identity in him? If so, where are you now on your journey?