July 25, 2017

It's the best thing to do when you don't know what to do. "We do not know what to do, but we look to You." (2 Chronicles 2.20 Holman)

A vast and menacing army had surrounded the people of God. The situation seemed hopeless, and defeat seemed certain. Except that a godly king called the people to prayer and fasting. And God responded by speaking through a man in their midst: "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's." (2 Chronicles 20.15)

Encouraged by this message, the king declared, "put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed." (2 Chronicles 20.20)

A band of worshippers went before the army and, "When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes" (2 Chronicles 20.22) Worship won the war.

The lessons and applications here are abundant. When you don't know what to do, intensely focus on the One who always knows what to do. Pray rather than dismay. Worship rather than war. It's His battle, not yours.

Sometimes it seems like a vast army is aligned against us. Problems and challenges seem monumental and insurmountable. Focus on your God. Humble yourself before Him. Listen for His word. Worship amidst it all. Wait for His deliverance, for it will surely come. Not according to your schedule, but His. And rejoice and remember when it comes.

When you don't know what to do, look to Him who always does.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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July 19, 2017

In two sentences, how would your life be summarized and described? Hopefully like this:

"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left." (2 Kings 22.1-2)

In an evil age, an eight-year-old boy ascended to the position of king. The prominent mention of his mother indicates she likely was an important factor in his righteous life. But, the choice was still his to make when he became an adult. He chose wisely and righteously.

We may never come into a position of governmental or cultural importance, but our life is having an impact; likely greater than we will ever know. Nothing greater could ever be said or written than that we "did right in the sight of the Lord," and that we did not "turn aside to the right or to the left."

The record of our lives is not yet completed. Regardless of what might be written or said about our past life, we have the opportunity today for a new legacy. May we deliberately choose to do "right in the sight of the Lord," and not veer from the course of righteousness as we are led by Messiah Jesus and the indwelling Spirit of God.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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July 18, 2017

Things of importance require maintenance. Neglecting regular oil changes, tire rotation, and filter changes on your car will have consequences. If you value your means of transportation, you will tend to maintenance. "we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it." (Hebrews 2.1)

Salvation is a grace gift, but that doesn't mean we coast through life with it on autopilot. Maintenance is required. Like a brightly-lit "check engine" light is this important reminder: "how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2.3)

I well remember a church attender years ago, who placed their Bible on a shelf after services, and then picked it up again the following Sunday. Apparently they didn't have a need for it the other six days. A Sunday Christian should have reason for concern in light of the teachings of Hebrews 2.1 and 3. Careful attention to the disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, Christian fellowship, and service are key maintenance issues.

So-called "browbeating" is not intended here, but rather an encouragement to tend to maintenance of something of utmost importance. If you value God's grace through Christ (and I trust that you do), you will gladly and joyfully tend to that which will enrich your experience as your journey toward the kingdom of God and immortality. As members of the family of God, we're in this together, to help and encourage one to aspire to the greatest. May these words help you to that end.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
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July 12, 2017

If you think it is important, you will make it a point to talk about it. That's why weather, sports, and politics are key discussion topics. But, what about our faith?

 "I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ." Philemon 6, Amplified Bible)

The more we think about it and diligently study it, the more valuable we find it to be. And, that increased sense of value leads to more talk and discussion. Thus, it's important that we be pro-active in exploring the depths of what we have in Christ. A lifetime of exploring will never exhaust this subject!

In an age of superficiality, we have a wonderful opportunity to share something of substance and meaning, if we've first explored and discovered it ourselves. It's a winning combination to have something to share concerning what we've personally experienced, and what we've discovered through diligent study.

May our faith be powerful and effective as we gain "accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ."

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
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July 11, 2017

Here is a prayer truly worth praying. "O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again." (1 Kings 18.36-37)

That's a prayer that got results. Fire came down from heaven to confirm that Yahweh is God (which just happens to be what Elijah's name means). Zeal for the reputation of the One True God was the driving force in Elijah as he boldly called for a showdown between the false prophets and gods and the reputation of Yahweh.

The pressing need today is that lost people come to know the only true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ (see John 17.3). Nothing is more important than that it be known of us that we have "done all these things at Your word," and that "this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again."

What if we made it our goal and prayer today, and every day, that our actions be directed by His word? And, what if our fervent prayer was that He would answer so that people would truly know that His is God? We just might see an "Elijah revolution" that would shake and shape this world as He truly wants.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
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July 5, 2017

He is absolutely incomparable. "O Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart" (1 Kings 8.23) 

In  a world of false gods and belief systems, the Creator of all is matchless. The true God, Yahweh, who has revealed Himself to Abraham and his descendants through Christ, establishes and keeps covenants. His gracious and generous covenants are promises of resurrection, immortality, forgiveness, and endless blissful existence on a new earth in the age to come. And in the present age, He shows "lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart."

He calls to us today: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4.8) Isn't the incomparable God of the universe worthy of our time and effort to reach out to Him, knowing He will draw as near to Him? Surely there can be no more profitable pursuit this day. Seek Him out, because He is seeking time with you.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
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