Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Jesus might have asked: “Aren’t you tired and burned-out on all that religious stuff? Look, come walk with me, and I’ll help you recover your life – your real purpose – and even though it will require some hard, very hard work, you’ll be energized by it because you’ll be living life to its fullest. You’ll be doing exactly what my Father created you to do, and more importantly, you’ll be exactly who I want you to be.”
In taking on the Jesus-yoke, he is asking us to join the school of Christ. In ancient times, when a student studied under a specific teacher, it would be said that the student took on the teacher’s yoke; the student was yoked to the master.
Within that context, consider these words from Jesus: “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30, NLT)
Jesus says, by walking with him, we’ll learn how to walk with God. We don’t learn from afar; we learn from a caring and committed teacher-student relationship – caring and committed on both sides.
The Christian walk is not a lesson in how to run off doing things for Jesus while we ignore him. Our Christ-walk is a journey with Jesus, where he is very personal and specific about our growth and spiritual maturity.
What does this mean?
Are you tired? – Jesus will teach you how to find rest in God, not a rest absent of stress, but the rest that results from believing in God’s faithfulness. Ask God to show you what blocks you from believing fully in his faithfulness, and then ask him to break those blockages down.
Are you confused? – Join Jesus at his school of Christ, and watch him, listen to him, ask him to renew your purpose.
Ask to be teachable – Tell Jesus you want to be yoked to him, and that you want to learn from him. Ask him to keep your heart teachable.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Love is the Fruit, Not the Root by Jon Walker
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers.” 1 John 3:14 (GWT)
Our love for others is the fruit, not the root, of our relationship with God. The Apostle John taught that our love for others emerges from our relationship with God, that anyone who is born of God and knows God will love with the love of God. (1 John 4:7, NLT)
In a sense, you could say the process of sanctification – the movement toward becoming like Jesus – involves the Eternal One’s love cleaning the clutter you’ve stuffed into the cupboards hidden inside you. God strides confidently through the dust and the grime that builds up because of our sin, and he throws open the shades and wipes down the windows until we “shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:15, HCSB)
As God scrubs our insides with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, we pass from “death to life.” (1 John 3:14) We are transformed from people who are selective in who and how we love into people who, energized by God’s spirit, love one another abundantly and unconditionally.
In faith, we love with the love of God, and in our slow and stumbling walk toward spiritual
What does this mean?
Express your faith with love – We reveal our faith when we express it as love, extending God’s unconditional love to all people, even those who are difficult to love. We express our faith with love, not by the rules we keep.
Let God love through you – No matter how loving you try to be, you will eventually run out of love when you try to love in your own strength. Let God’s unlimited, unconditional love energize you.
Ask for a deep “Jesus love” – Ask God to help you receive and then share his unconditional love. Name someone you specifically have trouble loving and ask God to develop in you a deep “Jesus love” for that person – a love based upon God’s strength and not your own.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
Our love for others is the fruit, not the root, of our relationship with God. The Apostle John taught that our love for others emerges from our relationship with God, that anyone who is born of God and knows God will love with the love of God. (1 John 4:7, NLT)
In a sense, you could say the process of sanctification – the movement toward becoming like Jesus – involves the Eternal One’s love cleaning the clutter you’ve stuffed into the cupboards hidden inside you. God strides confidently through the dust and the grime that builds up because of our sin, and he throws open the shades and wipes down the windows until we “shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:15, HCSB)
As God scrubs our insides with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, we pass from “death to life.” (1 John 3:14) We are transformed from people who are selective in who and how we love into people who, energized by God’s spirit, love one another abundantly and unconditionally.
In faith, we love with the love of God, and in our slow and stumbling walk toward spiritual
What does this mean?
Express your faith with love – We reveal our faith when we express it as love, extending God’s unconditional love to all people, even those who are difficult to love. We express our faith with love, not by the rules we keep.
Let God love through you – No matter how loving you try to be, you will eventually run out of love when you try to love in your own strength. Let God’s unlimited, unconditional love energize you.
Ask for a deep “Jesus love” – Ask God to help you receive and then share his unconditional love. Name someone you specifically have trouble loving and ask God to develop in you a deep “Jesus love” for that person – a love based upon God’s strength and not your own.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
Friday, April 4, 2008
In Pursuit of Fairness by Jon Walker
“The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.” Psalm 103:8 (NLT)
My kids are obsessed with fairness. They argue over who gets the biggest piece, who gets to play the computer game longest, who gets to sit next to the window. I suspect your children or the children you know are the same way.
One night during dinner, my kids were arguing over who would get the last slice of pizza and out popped the oft repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!”
Okay, it had been a long day and I was tired, so I looked at my children and said, “Fair! You want fair? Since you didn’t pay for the dinner, you shouldn’t get to eat. Are you sure you still want fair?”
But, honestly, it’s not just the kids who argue over fairness. I’m sure this doesn’t happen at your house, but sometimes my spouse and I argue over what is fair – who will change the baby’s diaper, who should make dinner, who gets to drive the “good” car.
This obsession over fairness seems to be in the human DNA: “Let me have the bigger slice;” “let me have the better salary;” “let me get away with it this time.” After all, it’s only fair, right?
We make the same arguments with God. We plead for fairness when we’re really asking for special treatment. But the truth is, God can say to us in true fairness, “I’m a Holy God and you’ve done some very unholy things. Fair would mean I can stay angry at you forever. It would mean I can punish your for the horrible things you’ve done and I can give you every bit of what you deserve. Are you sure you still want fair?”
But God, in his compassion, is not like that at all. David, the ancient poet/king, sang this song of God: “The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.” (Psalm 103:8–9, NLT)
When David sings about God’s “unfailing love,” he uses a Hebrew word that implies God is in loving pursuit of us. Yahweh chases after us with such persistent grace that he refuses to let us get away. His pursuit is energized by his compassion, not only feeling what we feel, but also with the intent to help us: “He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” (Psalms 103:10–11, NLT)
While we’re in pursuit of fairness, God, knowing fair will mean our inevitable destruction, remains in compassionate pursuit of us.
Communicating Compassion:
Yahweh’s unfailing love – God’s compassion flows from his unfailing, undying love for you. His love for you is so vast it extends from the earth to the heights of heaven, and his compassionate pursuit of you brings Jesus from heaven’s heights to an empty tomb on earth. If you truly trusted God’s unfailing love, how would you live your life differently? Ask God to guide you to a place of true trust.
Do a Fairness Flip – Start practicing compassion by flipping the angle of any fairness argument. In other words, say, “You, my friend, can have the bigger piece of cake.” “Let me change the diaper again.” “Because of your addictions, you may deserve to live on the streets, but God has shown me compassion, and I want to extend the same compassion to you.”
From fairness to unfailing love – As God develops compassion within you, he will bring you to a place where you’ll need to give up the “argument of fairness” and replace it with unfailing love. God is patient, so don’t panic or beat yourself up. Ask God to guide you toward unfailing love.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
My kids are obsessed with fairness. They argue over who gets the biggest piece, who gets to play the computer game longest, who gets to sit next to the window. I suspect your children or the children you know are the same way.
One night during dinner, my kids were arguing over who would get the last slice of pizza and out popped the oft repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!”
Okay, it had been a long day and I was tired, so I looked at my children and said, “Fair! You want fair? Since you didn’t pay for the dinner, you shouldn’t get to eat. Are you sure you still want fair?”
But, honestly, it’s not just the kids who argue over fairness. I’m sure this doesn’t happen at your house, but sometimes my spouse and I argue over what is fair – who will change the baby’s diaper, who should make dinner, who gets to drive the “good” car.
This obsession over fairness seems to be in the human DNA: “Let me have the bigger slice;” “let me have the better salary;” “let me get away with it this time.” After all, it’s only fair, right?
We make the same arguments with God. We plead for fairness when we’re really asking for special treatment. But the truth is, God can say to us in true fairness, “I’m a Holy God and you’ve done some very unholy things. Fair would mean I can stay angry at you forever. It would mean I can punish your for the horrible things you’ve done and I can give you every bit of what you deserve. Are you sure you still want fair?”
But God, in his compassion, is not like that at all. David, the ancient poet/king, sang this song of God: “The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.” (Psalm 103:8–9, NLT)
When David sings about God’s “unfailing love,” he uses a Hebrew word that implies God is in loving pursuit of us. Yahweh chases after us with such persistent grace that he refuses to let us get away. His pursuit is energized by his compassion, not only feeling what we feel, but also with the intent to help us: “He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” (Psalms 103:10–11, NLT)
While we’re in pursuit of fairness, God, knowing fair will mean our inevitable destruction, remains in compassionate pursuit of us.
Communicating Compassion:
Yahweh’s unfailing love – God’s compassion flows from his unfailing, undying love for you. His love for you is so vast it extends from the earth to the heights of heaven, and his compassionate pursuit of you brings Jesus from heaven’s heights to an empty tomb on earth. If you truly trusted God’s unfailing love, how would you live your life differently? Ask God to guide you to a place of true trust.
Do a Fairness Flip – Start practicing compassion by flipping the angle of any fairness argument. In other words, say, “You, my friend, can have the bigger piece of cake.” “Let me change the diaper again.” “Because of your addictions, you may deserve to live on the streets, but God has shown me compassion, and I want to extend the same compassion to you.”
From fairness to unfailing love – As God develops compassion within you, he will bring you to a place where you’ll need to give up the “argument of fairness” and replace it with unfailing love. God is patient, so don’t panic or beat yourself up. Ask God to guide you toward unfailing love.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Forgotten Gift by Jon Walker
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
One day a disciple of Jesus receives one million dollars as a gift, designated to help the poor. The disciple is thankful for the gift and begins making plans for a ministry to those in need.
A year goes by, and the gift-giver returns, joyfully asking, “Tell me how you used the gift to serve God. Have people come to know Jesus through the ministry you were able to start with the money?”
Confused, the disciple of Jesus asks, “What gift?”
But as the words tumble off his lips, the disciple remembers the gift of one million dollars. He’d placed it in a bank account, and then, due to the tyranny of the urgent, he’d completely forgotten about the gift.
Disappointed, the gift-giver gently says, “I gave you the gift to help other people. When you received the gift, you also accepted the responsibility for sharing the gift with others. The gift is still there; go use it for ministry, my friend!”
When we become believers, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1, 4) God places this gift – this Holy Spirit power – within us so we can be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8, HCSB)
God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to energize our faith-walk and to allow God to work through us to love and serve others. If we don’t lean on the Holy Spirit, it is like receiving a gift we never use, or that we hide away.
What does this mean?
God sees to your success – God didn’t just give you an assignment and then leave you to figure it out on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower you. Jesus said, “And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” (Luke 24:49, HCSB)
This Holy Spirit is Jesus in you – “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you…. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:7, 14, HCSB)
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
One day a disciple of Jesus receives one million dollars as a gift, designated to help the poor. The disciple is thankful for the gift and begins making plans for a ministry to those in need.
A year goes by, and the gift-giver returns, joyfully asking, “Tell me how you used the gift to serve God. Have people come to know Jesus through the ministry you were able to start with the money?”
Confused, the disciple of Jesus asks, “What gift?”
But as the words tumble off his lips, the disciple remembers the gift of one million dollars. He’d placed it in a bank account, and then, due to the tyranny of the urgent, he’d completely forgotten about the gift.
Disappointed, the gift-giver gently says, “I gave you the gift to help other people. When you received the gift, you also accepted the responsibility for sharing the gift with others. The gift is still there; go use it for ministry, my friend!”
When we become believers, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1, 4) God places this gift – this Holy Spirit power – within us so we can be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8, HCSB)
God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to energize our faith-walk and to allow God to work through us to love and serve others. If we don’t lean on the Holy Spirit, it is like receiving a gift we never use, or that we hide away.
What does this mean?
God sees to your success – God didn’t just give you an assignment and then leave you to figure it out on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower you. Jesus said, “And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” (Luke 24:49, HCSB)
This Holy Spirit is Jesus in you – “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you…. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:7, 14, HCSB)
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Captivity of Discontent
“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” Philippians 4:11–12 (HCSB)
The Apostle Paul, who was blessed with great privileges – but also beaten and stripped of everything he had – taught that true contentment must be learned: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12, NIV)
He teaches that God gives us strength to be content. This is an important spiritual truth to learn because if wealth, good looks, or the seemingly perfect spouse brought lasting contentment, then Hollywood would be filled with some of the most content and happy people on earth. But it’s not.
What does this mean?
Don’t compare yourself to others – When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is discontent. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.
I recall counseling a husband many years ago, who said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in our congregation. What he didn’t know was that the woman was an alcoholic who was causing awful heartache and stress for her family and her husband. That’s why the Bible says it is unwise to compare ourselves with others or even with ourselves! (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Be grateful for who you are and what you have – Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking – “When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.) You may actually be content for a little while but then someone else or something else will come along and drain the contentment from your life.
But listen – you are unique. God created you to be like nobody else, so why would you want to be anyone else? God is perfect, and you were his perfect choice to be you! Understanding that is a huge step toward being content with your life.
And then look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to dominate our focus to the point we forget the many, wonderful things we already have – not only material things, but far more important blessings, such as family and friends.
Give yourself to others – If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are but, more importantly, you will find yourself growing in contentment. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.
Focus on things with eternal value – The real secret to becoming content is to focus on the things that have eternal value. It may be a familiar teaching to you, but Jesus said we should store up our treasures in heaven, and not on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–21, NIV)
Think about the things in your life – What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last only a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you invest your most time and energy?
By reorganizing your life around eternal priorities, you will find yourself growing in contentment, as you live according to God’s design and purpose.
This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Rick Warren.
The Apostle Paul, who was blessed with great privileges – but also beaten and stripped of everything he had – taught that true contentment must be learned: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12, NIV)
He teaches that God gives us strength to be content. This is an important spiritual truth to learn because if wealth, good looks, or the seemingly perfect spouse brought lasting contentment, then Hollywood would be filled with some of the most content and happy people on earth. But it’s not.
What does this mean?
Don’t compare yourself to others – When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is discontent. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.
I recall counseling a husband many years ago, who said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in our congregation. What he didn’t know was that the woman was an alcoholic who was causing awful heartache and stress for her family and her husband. That’s why the Bible says it is unwise to compare ourselves with others or even with ourselves! (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Be grateful for who you are and what you have – Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking – “When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.) You may actually be content for a little while but then someone else or something else will come along and drain the contentment from your life.
But listen – you are unique. God created you to be like nobody else, so why would you want to be anyone else? God is perfect, and you were his perfect choice to be you! Understanding that is a huge step toward being content with your life.
And then look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to dominate our focus to the point we forget the many, wonderful things we already have – not only material things, but far more important blessings, such as family and friends.
Give yourself to others – If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are but, more importantly, you will find yourself growing in contentment. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.
Focus on things with eternal value – The real secret to becoming content is to focus on the things that have eternal value. It may be a familiar teaching to you, but Jesus said we should store up our treasures in heaven, and not on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–21, NIV)
Think about the things in your life – What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last only a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you invest your most time and energy?
By reorganizing your life around eternal priorities, you will find yourself growing in contentment, as you live according to God’s design and purpose.
This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Rick Warren.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Jesus Prays for You by Jon Walker
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.” John 17:20 (HCSB)
During the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for himself, and then he prayed for the disciples.
And then, with the hour of his death approaching, he took the time to pray for you. He prayed for all those who would believe through the ministry of the disciples, and that means you.
Jesus prayed for you, and this is what he said to God:
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.”
“I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
“Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.” (John 17:20–24, HCSB)
What does this mean?
Jesus cares for you – And, in fact, he still prays for you: “Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, HCSB)
Jesus wants you with him in heaven – “Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am.” (John 17:24, HCSB)
Jesus empowers you to follow God’s purpose – “I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23, HCSB) Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
During the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for himself, and then he prayed for the disciples.
And then, with the hour of his death approaching, he took the time to pray for you. He prayed for all those who would believe through the ministry of the disciples, and that means you.
Jesus prayed for you, and this is what he said to God:
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.”
“I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
“Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.” (John 17:20–24, HCSB)
What does this mean?
Jesus cares for you – And, in fact, he still prays for you: “Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, HCSB)
Jesus wants you with him in heaven – “Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am.” (John 17:24, HCSB)
Jesus empowers you to follow God’s purpose – “I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23, HCSB) Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker.
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