September 30, 2015

Choices are to be made every day. Some are relatively inconsequential, like your clothing selection or lunch options; others have far-reaching effects. Of the choices to be made today, none is more important than this one:

"choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Most of us can readily say that we’ve made this key choice. But, there is the daily choice to support the choice. We choose each day to live out the initial decision. And that’s where things can get complicated. We can affirm the commitment with our mind and words, but actions might indicate otherwise. Careful, prayerful introspection is necessary.

Each day provides us with a fresh, new opportunity for renewed commitment to THE commitment. Yesterday’s failure need not be today’s hinderance. Through grace, resolve, and Holy Spirit prompting and empowering, we can live the commitment with zeal and integrity this day. The key is to clearly face and make the choice.

We have a hand-made, engraved wood plaque, made by my brother-in-law years ago, with the pledge of Joshua 24:15, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” It serves as an important daily reminder of the need to renew a long-ago choice. The pledge is not that we’ll think kindly of the LORD, or “take a likin’ “ to Him, but to actively choose to serve Him. Serving actions will be the true indicator of a heart choice.

Perhaps a good summary of the call is, “Choose once, and choose daily.” Make an initial commitment to the LORD, and renew that commitment daily by actively serving Him. My prayer is that we choose well today, and every day.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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September 29, 2015

It’s a euphemism for the closing of a business or organization: “Last one out, turn out the lights.” It has implications for another realm as well.

“For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” (John 12.35-36)

Jesus, on the eve of His suffering and death, spoke of the limited time left to savor, learn, and believe in Him, the Light. Each of us are limited by the uncertainty and finite nature of our lives as well. We have this present moment to believe and walk in the Light. And, this present world is limited, because it is rushing headlong to its conclusion. 

This side of the kingdom of God, we live in a type of “Babylon,” whose suddenly destruction is described in Revelation 18: “the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” (Revelation 18.23) Signs indicate the soon “turning off of the Light”, so the need and opportunity is urgent.

For those of us who have become sons and daughters of Light, today is the day to know and walk in that Light. It doesn’t matter how well we did in the past; what matters is this day and moment. Even more pressing is the need for those who don’t know the Light at all to do so, while they can. We represent that Light, in word and lifestyle. 

Will others see and hear the Light through us? In a dark world, the Light desires that we shine, while there is time.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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September 23, 2015

The situation was desperate. A towering leader was dead, and there were pressing decisions to be made. There was new and threatening territory to be explored and claimed, but there were hostile inhabitants to be encountered. The need for strength and courage could hardly be overstated. Such was the situation faced by a man named Joshua.

“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ‘Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.’ “ (Joshua 1.1-2)

Several men who have held the office of Vice President of the United States could well relate to this challenge and dilemma. With the death or assassination of the President, these men have been abruptly thrust into leadership; often at a desperate time. For Joshua, the LORD Yahweh spoke words of assurance and promise: “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses … No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, … be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you … Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1.3,5-7, 9)

While this story is about Joshua and the people of Israel, it’s also about us. Every day we face new territory that must be explored and conquered through strength and courage. As God’s people, everywhere we stand is His territory, and He has given it to us. No foe can stand against us, because our God is with us. He will not fail or forsake us. We must be true to His word, and do as He instructs us, if we are to succeed. Wherever we go, He is with us.

May we be strong and courageous today, fully assured and confident of His present, protection, and guidance. Seize the territory of this day according to His word and will. Be strong and very courageous!

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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September 22, 2015

Death is a fact of life, much as we would like it to be otherwise. We always live with the knowledge of our own mortality, and this truth is punctuated regularly by the death of those near and dear to us. Some clear and plain truth on the subject, however, gives us peace amidst the pain of this reality. 

A good friend of Jesus, Lazarus, became ill and died. What Jesus said to his disciples concerning this is helpful and comforting: “ 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep. The disciples then said to Him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.’ Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead’ ” (John 11.11-14) 

I remember the comment of a friend a few years ago, regarding being under anesthesia for surgery. She was totally unaware of the passage of time, and stated that this is what death must be like. The fifteenth century reformer, Martin Luther, would have agreed; he is credited with stating: “After death the soul goes to its bedchamber and its peace and while it is sleeping it does not realize it is asleep … we shall all sleep until he comes and knocks on the little grave and says, ‘Dr Martin get up’—then I shall rise in a moment and be with him forever."

Comforting as the truth of the nature of death is, even more comforting and encouraging is the truth of resurrection and the proof supplied by Jesus. “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” (John 11.25-26). In itself, this could be an empty claim, except for two important facts: (1) He proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead, and; (2) He Himself has been raised from His own death. There is abundant and powerful evidence to support His claim!

The reality of our own mortality ought not to be basis for pessimistic living, because the realty of the Resurrection and the Life vastly overshadows this fact. And, praise God, this resurrection life is ours to experience and live in, in part, today! May that power and hope permeate our lives today, and always.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 16, 2015

Given the choice to live or die, the decision would seem obvious. Yet, many are making the less-than-obvious decision.

“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it … I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19)

On the eve of entering the promised land, Moses instructed the people of Israel to choose to wholeheartedly love the LORD their God, and to be faithful in keeping His commandments. That which He desired was not unreasonable: “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” (Deuteronomy 30.11) All He wanted was their complete love and devotion, which would result in life, prosperity, and blessing. 

Couples who pledge their love at the marriage altar often include the vow, “Forsaking all others,” as they commit their total love to one another. Statistically, however, about half of those who make this promise will do just the opposite. So why is this so? Because living a decision is much more difficult than making it. And so it can easily be in our pledge to our Father Creator. Living the decision is far more challenging that making the decision, as Israel’s history so vividly proves.

The problem with living out our pledges is that they don’t usually change in a moment; they erode over time. Marriages may appear to end abruptly, but the truth is, they slowly disintegrated over time. Our love for our Father, and His Son, don’t switch off and on like a light switch; this too is a gradual thing. Love grows cold slowly, and almost imperceptibly. 

So, what the remedy and safeguard? Careful introspection is always the key. What is the evidence in my life that indicates my true commitment? Time and energy commitment indicates where my real love is. Feelings, while not always an accurate gauge, can help too. Do I have a passion for the LORD, and the things of the LORD? 

The admonition is simple: “choose life.” A deliberate daily decision validates our long-term decision. Am I choosing the God of the universe today in my priorities, activities, and devotion? Have I sought His still, small voice, and the impressions He makes as to what I should do and be? 

“Choose life in order that you may live.” Walk the decision today that matters for eternity.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 15, 2015

Has someone been stealing your life; robbing you of vitality and joy? Hopefully not, but there is someone bent on doing exactly that.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10.10)

In the great cosmic struggle every believer faces, an enemy is bent on our demise. If so allowed, this enemy will ransack our house and remove everything of value, and utterly destroy it all, leaving us destitute in the truest sense of the word. Sadly, he seems to work with cunning effectiveness in too many people’s lives. Plagued by depression, worry, anxiety, guilt, and general unhappiness, many of God’s people are the walking wounded rather than the overwhelmingly victorious.

Jesus “came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” That’s not to say He came to give us a trouble-free and worry-free life, because Isaiah aptly described Him prophetically as “a man of sorrows, and familiar with grief.” (Isaiah 53.3) The ultimate promise of abundant life is to be realized through resurrection and immortality in the age to come. But, dare we ask: Should not some of the future abundant life filter down into life today? Should the people of God be able to frame today’s troubles and challenges as “momentary, light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4.17) on the journey toward to kingdom of God? 

There will be an increase in evil, satanic activity as this present age draws to a close. As such, there are two key imperatives for every follower of Christ: (1) abide in Christ more than ever before; and, (2) dress for the battle so as to stand your ground (Ephesians 6.10-17). To abide in Christ is to sharpen and deepen one’s personal relationship with Him, and also through the nurture and encouragement of the local body of believers. To dress for battle and stand our ground is to refuse to budge so much as an inch to an enemy who wants to dominate and destroy our lives. We refuse to allow his destructive, negative thoughts to be entertained in our minds. We saturate our minds and lives with the word of God to counteract the poison that would rob of us joy and victory. 

This side of the kingdom, we won’t experience abundant life in the fullest sense of the word. But, the overflow of what is to come can bring relief and refreshing when the enemy tries to steal, kill, and destroy. May we experience today the vitality that only Christ can bring.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 9, 2015

We would do well to listen. Not just casually hear what He has to say, but really listen and take it all to heart. 

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him … I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18.15, 18-19)

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Moses declared that another prophet would come Whom we should carefully listen to. He would come from the Jewish people and nation, and would speak with the full authority of the Creator Father. Time and again, Jesus of Nazareth would defer to His Father by saying such things as, “I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” (i.e., John 8.28) This repeated emphasis was completely consistent with what Moses, many years previous, had declared.

To truly listen is to take to heart, and take action. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6.46) A casual listener finds His words interesting, but a disciple takes action on what He says.

It’s lately been impressed on me that I’ve not been as good a listener as I could and should be. I have regularly been drawn to the question, “What do you need to say to me, and for me to be doing?” The answers may not be what I want to hear or do, but they must be asked without reserve.

What does the Prophet of God want to say to you today? Will you take the time to eagerly listen, with a willingness to do what He says? The times we live in necessitate that we hear and obey more than ever before, because the need is great, and the time is short. May we each devote ourselves today, and every day, to the full authority of His instruction.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 8, 2015

There is an old saying, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” The inability to see is one thing, but a stubborn refusal to see is quite another. 

The ninth chapter of John contains the account of the miraculous healing of a young man, blind from birth. The simplicity of his testimony is both touching and profound: “one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." (John 9.25) The deliberate blindness of the religious leaders, however, stands in sharp contrast: “Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, ‘We are not blind too, are we?' Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.' “ (John 9.40-41) The most tragic blindness is that of those who are unwilling to see.

Many today are blind to the person and work of Christ. Dismissing the claims of scripture, they refuse to acknowledge that He is God’s sinless Son and Savior of the world. And so the challenge before those of us who once were blind, but now see, is to be “spiritual optometrists” who assist others to see as they so much need to see. But, such work requires the mighty direction of Holy Spirit because, “a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2.14) Unless one is open to the illuminating work of Holy Spirit, they remain in their stubborn blindness.

As enlightened ones, we daily face “sight challenges” as well. Are we seeing the person and work of Christ in our lives, and in the world? What does He want to do in and through us today? Are we able to see Him amidst our daily activities, and participate with His will and desires? 

May we truly see Christ as He desires to be seen, and be used of Him to bring true sight to those around us who are blind.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 2, 2015

A popular commercial these days asserts, “Get this one done.” That message especially applies to this top priority:

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Know that God your Father is one (not three-in-one as is confusingly advocated). And, based on this important fact and truth, love Him with every fiber of your being. That doesn’t just mean verbally affirming your love, or loudly singing His praise on Sundays (although there is certainly nothing wrong with these)! Wholehearted love for YHWH God is more lifestyle than language. It’s reflected more in what we do and how we live than in what we say.

According to Deuteronomy 6, this love is to be so central as to be an ongoing talking point at home, in travel, at bedtime, and at sunrise. Not only that, this great priority is worthy of visual reminders: something visible on our hands, foreheads, and even inscribed prominently on our home and property. We must make every effort not to neglect or forget this foremost commandment.

The takeaway today is: What am I doing to constantly remind myself and my family to be faithful to the Great Commandment? Does regular conversation take place concerning it? Have I developed visible reminders lest I forget? 

A few years ago the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets became popular. Important as that reminder is, perhaps even more important is “LYGW” (Love YHWH God Wholeheartedly). If we need to produce bracelets to remind us of this key priority, then perhaps we should do so. It would certainly be in harmony with the priority of Deuteronomy 6.

Let’s make LYGW our highest priority today, and every day.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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September 1, 2015

It’s been said that finishing well doesn’t get enough press. There is plenty of focus on new beginnings, such as the start of new political campaigns, or some new program. But, where is the recognition for staying with something, through thick or thin, and seeing it through to completion? It’s not the flashy start, but the faithful finish, that really counts.

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8.31-32)

A disciple of Jesus is characterized, not by how they start out, but how well they continue in Him and His word. Not only is this evidence of discipleship, but it is also the pathway to knowing and being liberated by truth. 

There is a huge difference between knowing ABOUT Jesus, and being IN Him. Plenty of people have an impressive storehouse of information about the  Jesus, His ministry, and His teachings. But, this alone does not make one a disciple of His. To “continue” in His word is to become personally and intimately acquainted with His entire realm and life. It is to know the resurrected and ever-present Christ, and the dynamic of His radical message, the kingdom of God. By knowing both Him and His teachings in this way, we discover truth that does not enslave through legalism, but liberates through the life of the Spirit. 

Key questions before each of us today are: Where do things stand between me and Jesus? Am I giving Him, ‘lord, lord,’ lip service, or actively doing the things He says? Am I seeking Him out for what He can do for me and my loved ones, or seeking to know His agenda and purpose for my life and the world? 

There is joy in heaven when someone begins the journey as a disciple of Christ. But, there is also joy when one finishes well: “Well done, good and faithful slave.” (Matthew 25.21) May we faithfully persevere and continue in Christ and His word today, and always.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
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