Promise for Today - A Clear Conscience

...Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:15 (NLT).

Have you noticed that a jeweler will always put diamonds on black velvet when showing them to a customer? That’s because they shine brighter against a black backdrop. In the same way, as cultures crumble and the world becomes darker and darker, Christians can shine brighter and brighter. You’re made to live with such integrity and authenticity that when people look at you, they see a difference. They see a joy that comes from having a clear conscience.

You might say, “I’d like to be happy, but how do I keep my conscience clear when it’s not clear right now?” The Living Bible paraphrase gives the answer: “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Happiness, joy, and relief are three things everybody’s looking for in life. We all want to be happy. We all want to enjoy life. We all want relief from our pain. The Bible says we get those things through purity, and purity comes from forgiveness through God’s grace.

So how do we keep a pure, clear conscience?

At the beginning and the end of every day, do a spiritual inventory. Talk to God about anything that is standing between you and him—and then deal with the junk from your day. Ask forgiveness. The Bible tells us when we confess our sins, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Feeling guilty or ashamed can cause you to lose your happiness. So if you want to be happy, you’ve got to get rid of guilt and maintain a clear conscience—because you can’t feel guilty and be happy at the same time.

Talk It Over

What do you need to talk to God about today so that you can clear your conscience?

How can you restructure your life to make time each day for a spiritual inventory?

How are you living as a “bright light” in the world for Jesus Christ? What does your happiness in Christ say to the rest of the world?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Cleanse our hearts from all impurity, selfishness, deceit, and pride that may have taken root. Help us to delight in truth and to love others with a pure heart. Transform our minds to focus on what is good, and let our lives reflect Your love and grace. Let Your light so shine through us to those around us that they may see the good works and glorify You, according to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Promise for Today - A Shift in Focus

[Paul speaking] If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)

If you truly want to be happy in life, you’ve got to care about the needs of those around you and move the focus away from yourself. Why? Because life is not all about you! When you understand this, it’s the starting point for all happiness.

Paul looked to Timothy as an example of someone who genuinely cares about others. Philippians 2:20-21 says, “There is no one like Timothy for having a real interest in you; everyone else seems to be worrying about his own plans and not those of Jesus Christ” (TLB).

Most people don’t get up in the morning and give their first thought to how someone else is doing. They’re often only concerned about their own problems. And that’s why so many people are unhappy with their lives. Thinking only about yourself eventually leads to misery.

Do you want to be one of those rare, unselfish, happy people? Then you need to change your focus.

Putting your focus on others doesn’t come naturally. Most people don’t walk into a room and think, “Who in here needs my help today?” Instead, you think, “How do I look? Am I put together just right? What are people going to think of me?” So you have to intentionally train yourself to do the opposite of what you normally do—to shift the focus away from yourself.

I have to admit that it saddens me how many times I’ve missed the needs of people around me—even the needs of people I love—because I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t taking an interest in them. I hadn’t shifted my focus off myself. And because I wasn’t looking out for their needs, I missed the chance to help.

Philippians 2:4 says in The Message paraphrase, “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

Instead of dwelling on yourself or grieving missed opportunities, spend your energy thinking about how others are doing. That’s where you’ll find happiness - serving God through serving others.

Talk It Over

What distractions keep you from focusing on the needs of others?

What does it mean to “forget yourself”?

What needs have you missed in someone’s life because you were too busy or focused on your own problems? What can you do today to shift your focus toward helping that person?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for the times we were naval-gazing and missed the clues and cues around us. Cause us to be way more attentive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Give us Your eyes to see and Your provision to meet the needs of those You have placed within our sphere of influence. Give us clean hands and pure hearts in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - We Live to Serve

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being... He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)

Happiness comes from harmony, and harmony comes from humility. And if you want to be humble, you have to learn to ask yourself this question: “What would Jesus do?”

What would Jesus do in this problem? What would Jesus do for that person who’s hurting? What would Jesus do at the office? On the golf course? In your marriage? Ask this question, and you’ll always come up with a humble answer that builds harmony and happiness rather than difficulty, defeat, bitterness, and resentment.

So what does it look like to act like Jesus? Philippians 2 gives three examples:

First:

Don’t demand what you think you deserve. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (Philippians 2:6 NLT).

Do you realize how countercultural it is to give up your right to something? Yes, you have rights, but there’s a better way to have your needs met than by demanding your rights. You can be tender without surrender, and you can be understanding without demanding.

Second:

Look for ways that you can serve. “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7 NLT).

If you want to be like Jesus, you’re going to have to learn to serve. Serving is a habit you can develop. And it starts not in the big things in life, but in the little things. God tests your humility every day in the little things, and then it’s shown in the big things. Character is revealed in the great crises of life, but it’s built in the little day-to-day things, like returning the grocery cart to the cart corral.

Third:

Do what’s right, even when it’s painful. “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8 NLT).

This is what it means to act like Jesus. What did Jesus do, even when he was in pain? He was understanding, not demanding of what he deserved. He looked for ways to serve. And he was a servant in every situation.

Jesus is the ultimate model of humility, and God gave him the greatest honor in the universe. God honors your humility, too, when you follow Jesus’ example.

Talk It Over

What are some ways you can be “tender without surrender” or “understanding without demanding” in a relationship?

How have you seen God honor humility in your life or in someone else’s?

How can you serve someone today without being asked?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer: (excerpts from Crosscards)

Father,

          Soften our hearts to be tender toward You and toward those around us. Prepare our hearts and minds to be willing to serve, ready and available to help others even when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly to ourselves.
         Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us —family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers. Help us not to get so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss opportunities to serve. Teach us to be Your hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
          Give us a generous heart, that we might share what we have, acting with compassion rather than seeking praise. When we serve, fill us with a joyful spirit and help us to put others before ourselves.
Father, we cannot do this in our own strength. Empower us with Your Spirit to love, to be gentle, and to be a servant to all. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Controlled Response

If by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith. 

Philippians 1:22-25 (GNT)

Paul was an old man when he was in prison in Rome. He was a long way from home. He was awaiting execution. Everything had been taken from him—his friends, his freedom, his ministry, and even his privacy, with a guard chained to him throughout the day. It wasn’t exactly a happy time for Paul.

But there was one thing they could not take away from Paul: his purpose. Paul made the choice to stay focused on his purpose, even when he had lost everything else. What was his purpose? Serving God by serving others.

I’ll never forget reading Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps in Germany. Most of his family and friends were gassed and murdered. He writes in his book about the day he stood in front of the Gestapo. Everything was taken from him—his home, his clothes, and even his wedding ring. As he stood there with nothing at all, he suddenly realized there was one thing the Nazis could not take away from him: his freedom to choose how he would respond.

You cannot totally control what other people do to you. You cannot control what other people do around you. But you can control how you respond. When you stay focused on your purpose instead of your problem, you can have joy, even when life seems to be falling apart.

Choose to serve others, even when you are hurting. Choose to forgive. Choose to focus on God’s promises and not your circumstances. Those are the kind of choices that lead to greater faith. And then your faith will produce greater joy.

Talk It Over

What do you believe is your purpose in life?

Why does God want you to think about others and serve them, even when you are going through difficult circumstances?

How does your choice to focus on your problem or your purpose reflect what you believe about God?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          We humbly ask that You shine Your light of Truth anew on Your plan and purpose for our lives. Help us to realize that the only thing we can control - and must control - is our response to You and to the world around us. Give us Your strength to choose to walk according to Your Word: with integrity and justice, with fairness and integrity, showing kindness and compassion, living in daily dependence on You, and walking in humility before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Choice to Rejoice

I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Philippians 1:18-19 (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out yourself. Let God put the pieces back together. In this one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. If you’re facing a problem, you’ve got two options: You can worship, or you can worry. That’s it! This is what I call the faith factor.

First, you have to keep God’s perspective about your problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective, which helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing you have the support of other believers is like having wind filling your sails. It keeps you from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in you and helping you persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God will do his good work, no matter what you decide. But he also wants to see you growing in faith and showing him that you believe he can do it.

Because Paul has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, he chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

Talk It Over

What does it look like to worship God in the midst of a struggle?

Who do you rely on for prayer support? Who can you count on to faithfully pray for your spiritual growth?

Think of a problem you’re experiencing right now. How have you seen God work in the midst of your pain? What do you expect God to do in and through you because of this experience?

 - by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          It is written in the book of James that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change..." It is also written, "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." Come what may, we choose to make the choice to rejoice for You are the source of all good things, remaining consistent, loving, and unchanging. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; our Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. You are Immanuel - God with us! The everlasting God! We give You all praise with grateful hearts, In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Bring On the Joy

It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.

 Philippians 1:18 (GNT)

In Philippians 1:15-17, Paul talks about different kinds of people who are affecting his ministry while he’s a prisoner in Rome. There are some he considers comrades who encourage him in his ministry. Others are criticizing, competing with, or conspiring against his ministry.

“Some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine goodwill. These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison” (Philippians 1:15-17 GNT).

Few things steal your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. It’s easy to let other people control your attitude. Why? Because we all want to be loved. We all want approval. We all want people to like us.

You don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. You’re as happy as you choose to be! If others are unhappy with you, that’s their choice. If you haven’t earned someone’s approval by now, you’re probably not going to get it—and you’re going to be miserable if you try to live for the approval of everybody else. Your joy comes from God! But if you want to be truly happy, you need to remember that Jesus is the source of your joy.

Paul explains later in the same chapter why you can be happy no matter what: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (Philippians 1:29-30 NLT).

Paul says it’s a privilege to suffer when you’re doing the right thing, because that’s when you’re most like Jesus. Don’t let what other people say or do control your happiness. Your joy comes from the Lord!

Talk It Over

Whose approval have you been working to obtain? Why do you think you need that person’s approval?

Why is there more freedom in God’s approval than in another person’s approval?

When you feel attacked or criticized, how might God be working in you and through you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We pray, above all, according to Your Word, that we continue to live as citizens of heaven, conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. That we will continue to stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. We choose to keep our eyes, hearts, and minds focused on You. We lift Habakkuk's "Hymn of Faith" in praise to You. "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet [we] will rejoice in the Lord, [we] will joy in the God of our salvation. Bring on Your Joy, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It's All In How You Look at It

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 

Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

No matter what’s going on in your life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—God is working out a plan. Paul knew this. When you don’t see things from God’s point of view, you get discouraged, frustrated, and unhappy. If you want to be happy, you need to look at every problem from God’s perspective. Happy people have a larger perspective. They see the big picture, like God does. 

After Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus, he had one great dream: He wanted to preach in Rome, the center of power in the known world at the time. His dream was to preach the gospel in the most important city in the world. But God had a different plan. Instead of sending Paul to Rome to preach crusades, God allowed him to become a royal prisoner of Nero. Nero was Caesar at that time—and a wicked and corrupt leader.

As a prisoner, Paul was chained to a rotation of royal guards every day for two years. That means Paul had the opportunity to witness to thousands of guards. Who was the real prisoner here? Who had the captive audience?  This wasn’t Paul’s plan, but it was God’s plan all along, and it produced amazing effects. There were two results that we know for sure.

First, Philippians tells us that the gospel became known throughout the whole palace guard, and that even some of Caesar’s own household had become believers because of Paul’s witness in Rome.

Second, it was kind of hard to get a guy like Paul to stop moving. In prison, he was forced to be still, and, as a result, he wrote much of the New Testament, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These books have revealed Jesus to countless people over the years.

Paul realized that God had a bigger plan. Because he trusted what God was doing through his problems, Paul could be happy.

Any time you have a problem that’s starting to get you down, you need to do what Paul did: Learn to see it from God’s point of view. Ask, “What is God doing here? What’s the bigger picture? What’s the bigger perspective?” Then you’ll be able to face the problem in faith.

Talk It Over

Think of a problem that is discouraging you. How does your discouragement change when you look at the problem with God’s bigger perspective?

Why do you think God is allowing you to struggle through a hard time?

How have you seen God work in the midst of a difficult situation in your past?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,
            We pray according to Your Word. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. When we feel overwhelmed, we will take heart, knowing that You have overcome the world. Help us to stand firm and move forward, believing that we are more than conquerors - we are overcomers through You. We believe and proclaim Your Truth that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. In Jesus'Name we pray. Amen