May 31, 2017

It's not about us. "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4.5-6)  The life mission of followers of Jesus Christ is to declare the totality of His mission and message. We declare and demonstrate the king and the kingdom. And, we are servants to one another as we do so. We are forever grateful that the God of the universe has chosen to shine His light into our lives to reveal Himself to us through Christ.  I'm thinking of those faithfully serving in and through local churches, and in distant lands on mission fields. Each is committed, not to serving themselves, but the Christ through whom Yahweh God is known. A deep appreciation drives such efforts.  Have the riches of His grace touched you deeply? Do you delight to live and serve out of great gratitude? May a profound sense of appreciation of His grace touch you deeply so that you live and serve greatly. Steve ©Steve Taylor, 2016 Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/   Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW paperback print copy https://www.createspace.com/4500045

May 24, 2017

"We spent the night at a prostitute's house." That might have not been the best report to bring back, but that's the way it was. "Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, 'Go, view the land, especially Jericho.' So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there." (Joshua 2.1)

We've likely heard the story of how Joshua fought the battle of Jericho. God miraculously gave this city over to the people of God, but spies were first sent to spy out the land and the city. Now, it seems like a poor choice to hang out at a prostitute's house, but there's more to the story than meets the eye. This woman of ill-repute had some commendable character qualities. She, along with other city inhabitants, had heard of the great things God had done for the people of Israel. She openly confessed, "the LORD your God, He is God of heaven above and on earth beneath." (Joshua 2.11) She not only acknowledged this great truth; she also lived by it in faith, as we learn in Hebrews 11.31. And, we find her listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. 

The point is that God can use anyone, regardless of their past. No doubt Rahab left her former occupation and became a godly wife and mother, as her faith directed her lifestyle. It doesn't really matter where and what we've been; what matters is who we are today in God through Christ. Putting the past behind, may you find a fresh, faith-filled new beginning today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

May 23, 2017

It's not really a to-do list. These are actions and activities that just work well - for self and others. "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." (Romans 12.9-13) 

Love sincerely. Hate evil and embrace good. Others first. Not slackers, but spiritual achievers. Relish hope amidst life's trials. Live a lifestyle of prayer. Express love in practical ways. 

These are qualities God's Spirit internally stirs up in us. They cause of lives to be a blessing to others, and we personally reap the benefits. They are qualities that harmonize with the coming kingdom, as He works out a display of it now in advance. 

It's not so much that God expects these things of us; it's His character being formed in us that manifests these qualities. As I shared in a recent message, the key isn't try harder, but yield more. As an old saying goes, "Children of God should increasingly resemble their Father."

May His character, and that of His Son, be more fully formed in us today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

May 17, 2017

There is a so-called road paved with good intentions, and we all have participated in the paving process. My more recent contribution has been the book I started writing but never quite seem to get around to working on. For you it might be that good deed you are planning to do for your neighbor. Or the special day you've been planning for your spouse and family. Or maybe that area of service in your local church you're planning to step up to. 

"For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." (Romans 7.19) Not only do we so often fail to follow through on good intentions, we sometimes find ourselves involved in the very activities we loathe. What a dilemma! And it will always be a dilemma except for divine intervention. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7.24-25) 

Trying harder through personal determination will never break the cycle. But, thanks be to God, who breaks the cycle through Jesus Christ! The inside job He does in out lives through Holy Spirit is the only solution to this frustrating cycle. So, rather than trying harder, yield more. Surrender your inconsistencies and inabilities to the God who will accomplish in you what you can never accomplish yourself. Good intentions can indeed become good action, through God and His Son.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

May 9, 2017

He had courage in the face of a great storm, and so can we. Paul the apostle was aboard a ship, facing a horrific storm such that "all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned." (Acts 27.20) But, he received an angelic message of encouragement (Acts 27.24), and shared it will all on board. "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27.25). 

A variety of storms assail all of us from time to time. Some are of the magnitude that Paul faced, where abandoning hope is a strong temptation. But, Paul's words are our encouragement: "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." And what we have been told is that all will eventually turn out in victory, through resurrection and the triumph of the kingdom of God. "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4.17).

Take courage today, even if the storm is severe. It will turn out exactly as you have been told.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

May 3, 2017

No one ever said it would be easy, but it definitely is worthwhile. Gospel work is both challenging and rewarding.

The apostle Paul had a deliberate strategy, which met with both success and opposition. "they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." (Acts 17.1-3) There were many who responded in faith (Acts 17.4), but there were those who were fiercely opposed (Acts 17.5). This pattern was repeated wherever Paul went with the gospel. 

The core of Paul's gospel message was the resurrection of Jesus, and the hope of believer resurrection. This message, in particular, will certainly get us in hot water as we share it, but we dare not refrain from doing so. Every living being is entitled to hear, and then determine their response. 

Have you developed, like Paul (Acts 17.2), a gospel sharing strategy? It ought not to be considered a burdensome obligation, but rather a natural and joyful privilege. Clearly sharing the distinct and life-changing message that Paul shared, so that others have opportunity to respond, is a blessing beyond measure.

May we each carefully and prayerfully develop a strategy, and reap the benefits for the kingdom and ourselves as we faithfully put the plan into action.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045