“I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT

In the 19th century, a young Christian heard a Bible teacher say, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is totally surrendered to Him.” The young Christian said to himself, “I want to be that man.” That young man was Dwight L. Moody, who became one of the greatest evangelists of all time, long before radio and television.

When the searching eyes of the Lord found Moody, they found a man whose “availability” far surpassed his “ability.” But God can do a lot with a little if He has all there is of it.

His father died at an early age of 41, leaving his widow in poverty, with a large mortgage on the home. The creditors grabbed everything they could, including firewood. Mrs. Moody tried to keep her family of nine children not only together, but together in Sunday School.

By the time Dwight was 17, he had become a successful shoe salesman. Moody accepted Christ in the back room of the shoe store through the guidance of his Sunday School teacher. He went on to become the great evangelist.

But he never got away from his simple commitment and the memories of the first time he stood up to speak as a young man, when one of the deacons assured him that, in his opinion, he would serve God best by keeping still. Another critic praised Moody for his zeal but pleaded with him, saying that he should realize his limitations and not attempt to speak in public. “You make too many mistakes in grammar.”

Moody patiently made reply to the man’s concern: “I know I make mistakes, and I lack many things, but I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got.” He then quietly looked at the man and searchingly inquired, “Look here, friend, you’ve got grammar enough. What are you doing with it for the Master?”

God is looking for people today who will decide to take what they have and totally commit it to be used for the Master. God has made you who you are and placed you where you are with all the abilities you need to do what He uniquely created you to do.

It’s not time to sit back and muse about what you could do if you had what you don’t have. Rather, it’s time to do what you can do with what you do have and do it for the glory of God.

Questions: We all could improve in how we choose to serve God; what are some of the resources available to us to help us improve?

John the Baptist would never get hired today. No church would touch him. He was a public relations disaster. He “wore clothes made from camel’s hair, had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). Who would want to look at a guy like that every Sunday?

No, John would never get hired today. His tactics lacked tact. His style wasn’t smooth. He made few friends and lots of enemies, but what do you know? He made hundreds of converts. “All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River” (Mark 1:5).

Look at that. “All the people of Judea and Jerusalem.… ” How do we explain such a response? It certainly wasn’t his charisma or clothing. Nor was it his money or position, for he had neither. Then what did he have?

One word. Holiness.

John the Baptist set himself apart for one task, to be a voice of Christ. Everything about John centered on his purpose. His dress. His diet. His actions. His demands.

He reminded his hearers of Elijah. And he reminds us of this truth: “There is winsomeness in holiness.” You don’t have to be like the world to have an impact on the world. You don’t have to be like the crowd to change the crowd. You don’t have to lower yourself down to their level to lift them up to your level.

Nor do you have to be weird. You don’t need to wear camel’s-hair clothing or eat insects. Holiness doesn’t seek to be odd. Holiness seeks to be like God.

You want to make a difference in your world? Live a holy life:
Be faithful to your spouse.
Be the one at the office who refuses to cheat.
Be the neighbor who acts neighborly.
Be the employee who does the work and doesn’t complain.
Pay your bills.
Do your part and enjoy life.
Don’t speak one message and live another.

Note the last line of Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12.

Do all you can to lead a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you. If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you.

From A Gentle Thunder
Copyright 1995, Max Lucado
Used by permission

Questions: What about your life makes it a winsome witness to those who are not Christians? On the other hand, what about it speaks non-verbal words that pushes people away?

“The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where He is there is freedom (from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God). But we Christians have no veils over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him” 2 Corinthians 3:17,18

You and I can be mirrors that reflect the glory of the Lord, since we have no veils over our faces. As the Spirit of the Lord works within us and we mature, we become more and more like Him. What a tremendous truth!

Two tendencies to error occur as we consider the concept of law and grace. One is legalism; the other is license. Legalism is that means of seeking to live according to the law, trying to merit God’s favor by keeping rules and regulations in the energy of the flesh.

The other problem is license. Some Christians become so excited about their freedom in Christ that they go overboard and bring reproach and disgrace to the name of Christ. “Relax,” they say. “Do what comes naturally.” But they forget God’s warning in Romans 14. Anything we do that causes our brother to stumble is sin. Often these same Christians tell us, “Don’t witness for Christ unless you feel like it.”

Quite honestly, I would not witness very often if I waited until I felt like it. Why do I witness? Because our Lord modeled it and He commands His followers to witness, and out of a deep sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for what He has done for me. I do not wait until I feel like it; I have already been given the command.

Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) The apostle Paul said, “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.” (Colossians 1:28, NLT) We are not to wait for some emotional, mystical impression of the Spirit. Liberty is not legalism, nor is it license. It is the privilege of doing the will of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:8-16

Today’s Action Point: With all of my heart, I want to be more and more like Jesus Christ. To this end, I will avoid legalism and license and embrace the freedom I have in Him to live a holy life and to be a fruitful witness, and to reach out to the multitudes of unchurched men and women who are hungry to know the reality of the living God.

Question: Which of the two (legalism or license) do you think you most often are tempted to lean towards? Why do you think that is, and how can you seek to counteract this tendency?

I know that many of you were touched by Dr. Muriel’s words as I was.  I can only imagine how much she and Jesus have to talk about today. There must be so many questions she is finally getting the answers to.  I wonder if she’s up there thinking, “Oh that would make such a good devotional!” Please join us in praying for Dr. Muriel’s two daughters as they mourn the passing of their Mom.  I know she will be greatly missed.

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Whether you would like to learn how to pray more purposefully, or would just like someone to share your prayer requests with, please contact us and we will pray with you.

Open your bible and read: Colossians 1:9-14

If someone should pose the question, “How can I pray for you?” would you be able to give a clear answer? Often we simply do not know what to say. The same thing can happen with our friends – when we ask them that question, we frequently get a vague answer. Learning to pray for one another does not come naturally; we have to be taught. That is why the Bible contains many patterns for effective prayer.

One such pattern is found in Paul’s epistle to the saints at Colossae. He asks that they may be “filled with the knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9). This means that we can come to know what God is up to in our lives. When we understand His will, that knowledge is most satisfying and precious.

Paul’s prayer also includes a second request on behalf of the Colossians. He asks that they will have more than just an understanding of what is right; he prays that they may walk in a manner worthy of Christ and that they should be strengthened with all power. (verses 10-11)

Such a transformed walk can be so attractive that onlookers will come to recognize God at work in the lives of His children. Believers can display the heavenly Father’s power to forgive sins, and they can walk before Him in holiness.

These are the specific requests we should make when praying for others. To effect a double blessing, we can ask the same things for ourselves. And this powerful prayer will always be answered because it is in full accordance with the will of God.

Questions: Do you feel free to offer prayer to your friends?

Please open your Bible and read Acts 1:1-11.

One of John Ortberg’s popular books is titled “If you Want to Walk on Water, you have to get out of the Boat”. Although the title alludes to when Peter tried to walk on water (and succeeded, albeit briefly; Matthew 14:22-33) this quote also applies to the apostles, just after Jesus ascended to heaven.

As Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes”, the apostles “were looking intently up into the sky” (Acts 1:9-10). Just before this, Jesus told them “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v8) Yet after Jesus ascends apostles just stand there. How often do we do the same? God’s instructions are clear to us, but we just can’t seem to get going.

I know the apostles were worried when Jesus left them. How would they survive without Him? They left their homes, jobs, and everything else behind to follow Him. And now He was leaving? But this is no excuse, and their lack of action prompts two angels to appear to them, who say “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (v11)

The angels gave them the reason not to worry: Just as Jesus had been taken away, He will return. Luke’s gospel tells us how the apostles responded to the angels: “They worshiped [Jesus] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” (Luke 24:52) Their confidence was restored by God’s promise, which is trustworthy and true. And this confidence prompted them into action!

The question for us today is: Am I standing around, staring up at the sky? Or am I actively living out Jesus’ command to be witnesses to the ends of the Earth?

What’s holding you back from being an active witness? If you want to witness, you have to start witnessing! If your spiritual life lately has felt more like stargazing than navigating, it may be time to re-read the book of Acts and be inspired by the lives of some of the earliest Christian servants. I assure you that you are more ready than you realize, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

Question: What’s holding you back?

About the Author:  Darren Hewer

If you’ve ever thought that your neighbors don’t want to hear about God, you’re wrong.

Take a look at the list:

1. What is the meaning of life?
2. Is there a God?
3. Do blondes have more fun??4. What is the best diet?
5. Is there anybody out there?
6. Who is the most famous person in the world?
7. What is love?
8. What is the secret to happiness?
9. Did Tony Soprano die?
10. How long will I live?

Are you as surprised as I was? Your friends and neighbors, your family and the people you work with want to know about spirituality.  They are asking questions about God, life, death, love and happiness.  These are huge questions and it can be intimidating to try and take them on.  But we do have the answers and now there’s a new tool that can help you as you share.

Soul Cravings Prequel is an authorized, abridged version of Erwin McManus’ popular book Soul Cravings.  Soul Cravings and Soul Cravings Prequel deal with the search for three things everybody craves: destiny, intimacy, and meaning.

Take another look at that list of questions. How many of them are answered with these three cravings?  You can use Soul Cravings Prequel and the companion site icravechange.com to share your faith in a open, conversational way.  There is a series of videos on the site where you can hear Erwin McManus talk about each of these cravings.  Try sharing one with a friend and have  a conversation about it.

Soul Cravings Prequel is also fully integrated with mentoring.  There are discussion questions peppered throughout the book.  You can use these as conversation starters or encourage your friends to send their responses in to us and a mentor will carry on the discussion.  You can order Soul Cravings Prequel books (just $4 each) from our site.  We also have a Personal Mentoring Starter Kit available which includes the prequel and several other mentoring resources.

People in your world are asking fantastic questions about God. How will you answer them?  Have you used Soul Cravings Prequel? We’d love to hear your stories.

The Crave Resources site has all kinds of resources to help you use Soul Cravings Prequel as you witness. Download discussion guides, learn how to use the book and finding a training seminar.

Watch The Other Six Days video. Explore what this video means to you through “The Other Six Days” interactive online study.

Would you like to start memorizing scripture but find it frustrating? To do you feel guilty because you don’t always find time to study the Scriptures Let us pray with you.

Jessica sat in the dentists’ office and fumed inside.  She had been on time for her appointment and had been waiting now for half an hour.  Glaring at the receptionist, she muttered under her breath, “I hate going to the dentist anyway!”

Sitting across the room, Sarah had been waiting even longer; but it hadn’t bothered her a bit.  The wait had given her a chance to review the Scripture cards in her hand, and she was saying the Scripture verses over and over in her mind.  By the time she was called to see the dentist, she had memorized several fortifying verses.

Going to school or going to work

At one time I worked in a place that was only a mile from my home, so I walked to work every day.  Each day I assigned myself one or two more Bible verses to memorize and went over those I had already learned while I walked.  I added several hundred Scriptures to my memory bank that way.

Not only that, I soon discovered that the world of nature that the Lord created was never so beautiful as when I was thinking about His Word.  Roses looked lovelier.  The birds sang sweeter.  The air smelled fresher.  And I always seemed to get to work before I knew it!

These were just some side benefits from memorizing God’s Word.  I know the Lord used those Scriptures to draw me closer to Himself and grow in Him then. He also has spoken to my heart through them, and during some rough times they have come to my rescue.

More Side Benefits

Another important benefit came in my witnessing to non-Christians and encouraging fellow Christians.  Ever since that time I have had Scriptures for every opportunity.  (The Word of God does the work of God.) Those Scriptures stored in my memory bank have been invaluable in my email counseling for TruthMedia during these past eight years.

The Lord uses His word to convict me, too, to make me a better Christian.  For instance, if I get angry with someone, I sense the withdrawal of God’s peace from my heart.  Then the Spirit reminds me of what Jesus said: “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15, NIV).  Believe me, I get right fast!

Time wasted or well spent?

Think back–how much time have you spent waiting in lines, in offices, and for other things during the past year?  Might those waits have added up to perhaps twenty hours?  Well, if Jessica and Sarah are typical persons, then Jessica will spend twenty hours a year ruining her disposition with angry frustration, and Sarah will spend twenty hours a year memorizing God’s Word so that she will be a better servant of Jesus Christ.

Christians are God’s chosen representatives.  So let’s make use of our waiting or walking time to learn His Word.  It’s scriptural.  Ephesians 5:16 encourages us to make the most of our time “because the days are evil.”

Questions: How are you using your snatches of time?   Name some benefits of memorizing scripture that have been helpful for you? Tell us about some of your creative ways that you have used to learn scripture.

About Muriel Larson

“But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” Acts 1:8, KJV

While I was speaking to a group of theological students in Australia, one young man became very angry and argumentative when I emphasized the importance of witnessing for Christ daily as a way of life and explained that disobedient Christians cannot be Spirit filled. Not to witness for Christ is to disobey our Lord’s specific command. Therefore, any Christian who does not regularly share his faith in Christ cannot walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

“I work day and night to maintain good grades,” he declared, “I don’t have time to witness while in seminary. I can witness after I become a pastor.”

Many Christians make similar excuses for their lack of witness, but none are valid. Some say they do not have the gift of evangelism. Others say they are still preparing for the day when they will be witnesses. Some pastors believe it is the responsibility of their members to witness, and they are to preach and teach the Word. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that all believers are to be witnesses with their lives and with their lips. It is a command of God.

On thousands of occasions we have found that pastors, students and laymen who have never introduced anyone to our Lord become fruitful witnesses when they learn how to live a Spirit-filled life and are taught how to share their faith in Christ with others. The apostle Paul, who was a Spirit-filled witness, shares in Colossians 1:28 how everywhere we go we are to tell everyone who will listen about Christ.

Bible Reading: Luke 24:45-49

Today’s Action Point: Today – and every day – I will ask the Holy Spirit to direct me to those whose hearts He has prepared, and to anoint and empower me to speak convincingly, lovingly and effectively of our Savior.

About this Author: Bill Bright

“Mommy, my shadow follows me everywhere I go!” my younger daughter exclaimed on making this amazing discovery.

“That’s because it belongs to you, and you alone,” I answered.

Have you ever thought about that?  You have a shadow that belongs exclusively to you.  When a light is shining from somewhere, your shadow falls on something–the ground, a wall, a stairway…or maybe a child.

If you stand perfectly still, your shadow does too.  If you move, the shadow moves.  If the light moves, the shadow also moves.  And if there are two lights behind you, then you have two shadows.

After the Apostle Peter healed a lame man through the power of Jesus Christ, the people in Jerusalem were greatly impressed.  The Bible says, “Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.  As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by” (Acts 5:14-15).

Since Peter was living and witnessing in the power of the Lord, he was thought to cast a beneficial, healing shadow.  Whether this was true or not, the Bible doesn’t say.  But it certainly is true that the shadow our lives cast on others affects them.

In some cases one’s shadow might fall on someone who is trying to read, and thus keep him from seeing.  In order for him to see, that person has to move and let the light flood in.

So it may be that the shadow of a professing Christian’s life is keeping people from seeing the light concerning salvation or living for Christ.  They may be blinded to the wonderful truths of God by the dark shadow that person casts.  How important then is it that we who are parents, church leaders, and among those who teach children and young people God’s Holy Word move the “I” part of ourselves out of the way so that all those who know us or are under our influence may see the light of Jesus Christ shine in and through us and all we do and say!

When we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, then His Spirit can fill us and His love can shine forth in various ways to others, in kindness, compassion and sensitivity.  I can remember a Sunday School teacher who made that impression on me; she was a light to me and my young life.

My mother used to say about my younger brother, “I have a little shadow; it goes everywhere with me.”  Even so, at our church and in our families and neighborhoods we have young “shadows” who look up to us for an example, who may follow our way of life if it is a good one.

We are all just sojourners in this world; yet on the basis of our short earthly lives is decided the rewards we will enjoy for eternity, based in part on the shadows we cast.

Questions: How is your shadow affecting the lives of others around you? Is your shadow keeping someone from seeing the Light?

About the Author Muriel Larson

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, My Message is About Him, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Please open your Bible and read Acts 1:1-11.

One of John Ortberg’s popular books is titled “If you Want to Walk on Water, you have to get out of the Boat”. Although the title alludes to when Peter tried to walk on water (and succeeded, albeit briefly; Matthew 14:22-33) this quote also applies to the apostles, just after Jesus ascended to heaven.

As Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes”, the apostles “were looking intently up into the sky” (Acts 1:9-10). Just before this, Jesus told them “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v8) Yet after Jesus ascends apostles just stand there. How often do we do the same? God’s instructions are clear to us, but we just can’t seem to get going.

I can imagine the apostles were worried when Jesus left them. How would they survive without Him? They left their homes, jobs, and everything else behind to follow Him. And now He was leaving? But this is no excuse, and their lack of action prompts two angels to appear to them, who say “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (v11)

The angels gave them the reason not to worry: Just as Jesus had been taken away, He will return. Luke’s gospel tells us how the apostles responded to the angels: “They worshiped [Jesus] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” (Luke 24:52) Their confidence was restored by God’s promise, which is trustworthy and true. And this confidence prompted them into action!

The question for us today is: Am I standing around, staring up at the sky? Or am I actively living out Jesus’ command to be witnesses to the ends of the Earth?

What’s holding you back from being an active witness? If you want to witness, you have to start witnessing! If your spiritual life lately has felt more like stargazing than navigating, it may be time to re-read the book of Acts and be inspired by the lives of some of the earliest Christian servants. I assure you that you are more ready than you realize, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

Question: What’s holding you back?

About this Author: Darren Hewer