Every gift from God will be contested by satan. Satan was angry that Job's family was a source of delight to God, his provider. Look out, God's blessing ... invites satan's attack. ... He wants to agitate and disappoint, using your weaknesses. He inspires unrealistic expectations, diverts your focus from servant-hood to self-absorption.

Thoughts have presence. ... Your attitude is contagious. Like a thermostat, it determines the climate. ... Every emotion has a birthplace. So be sensitive to any changes in the environment of your ... inner life.

Love is more about listening than talking. Listen long enough for hidden emotions to be expressed. Listen carefully enough to gain understanding. Listen accurately, so you can assess the true needs of your mate that nobody else has been able to meet. Your questions reveal your caring. So ask them softly, ask them repeatedly, pray and process before you respond.

The Word for Today

The Great Commission is all about making friends. Now I know Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples …” (Matthew 28:19 NLT), but Jesus himself showed that you can’t make a disciple until you first make a friend. “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” (John 15:15 NLT)

So what Christians have called “witnessing” for some time really should be more like building relationships. It’s what you do over the long haul of a relationship that counts so much more than door-to-door canvassing of the neighborhood.

In the movie The Big Kahuna starring Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey, a young salesman fresh out of Baptist college goes on his first business trip to a convention with a couple seasoned veterans from his company. In an attempt to land a CEO (“The Big Kahuna”) of a very large account as a new client, the young Baptist, played surprisingly close to a real Baptist by Peter Tarrantino, ends up the unlikely one of the three who has the best shot at talking with the CEO.

But instead of talking about the company he represents and setting up his partners with a meeting, the Baptist ends up spending the whole conversation witnessing to the man about Jesus. When his co-workers find out about this, Spacey goes ballistic. A hot-headed argument ensues between Spacey and the rookie salesman over the place of religion in business, and Danny DeVito, the oldest and wisest of the three, tries to calm them both down and provides some very sensible advice. What he says to the young Baptist should be heard and considered by all Christians. It goes something like this:

“The minute you lay hold of a conversation in order to steer it in a certain direction, it ceases to be a conversation, it’s a sales pitch; and you aren’t a human being anymore, you’re a marketing rep. If you really care about the man, ask him about his kids … his wife … his dreams ...”

It’s the difference between pushing an agenda and truly caring for somebody. If you care about somebody, you want to know what he or she is thinking, what is the person’s hopes and dreams, joys and disappointments – in other words, what are the things that make that person human. Friendship is all about finding common ground, and it is out of this common ground that what is shared will have credibility.

Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

Making friends outside of church is something we need to do. We can't spend all our time living in our church communities. I'm guilty of that so often. It's so easy to spend time with those you're comfortable with, those you're sharing trials, troubles and joys with. I even see it with my friends from my old church - sometimes spending time with them is more than I can cope with, more than I want. Not because I don't want to see them, but because it feels as though I'm on a different planet.

Making friends is not easy. We're all people who rub up against one another, and sometimes we have sharp edges that cut one another. But with God's grace...

So, a nice excuse to go down the pub with your work colleagues!

“If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!” (Proverbs 11:27 NLT)

Praise is a valuable weapon against the enemy. War cries, frontal assaults, or special words of exorcism can’t drive back the forces of evil. Neither can the brandishing of the sword or the charge of the brigade. What keeps the powers of darkness at bay is the simple and true praise of the Savior from a heart set free.

Christians are engaged in a battle, but going on the warpath won’t win this fight. It can even make matters worse. Christians can easily get caught up searching for evil in the world and trying to root it out, but by focusing on evil so much we bring the evil right to us. The best way to go after the enemy is with Christ on our minds and praise for him in our hearts. We do this unconsciously all the time. We sing a little song of praise as we go about our tasks, and unseen demons rush for cover. There are some things we are better off not knowing about.

Like the complicated etchings of the classical German painter Albrecht Durer that depict hosts of angelic beings and demons warring high in the sky over peaceful, tranquil landscapes, we have little knowledge of what is really going on at any given time in the heavenly realms around us. But we need not be conscious of this. We do not require sentries on the watch every hour, fearing attack. We do not have to check behind every door. It's better if we don’t. (“If you search for evil, it will find you!”) We need only be in the presence and the praise of Jesus. The enemy flees at the mere sound of his name.

Jesus is our constant protection. He is our most valuable possession. The best protection against evil is a heart bent toward the good – seeking God in all things. Light does not fight with darkness. There is no wrestling match necessary. Light banishes darkness. They cannot occupy the same place at the same time.

Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” (James 4:8 NLT)

It’s been this way since time began. God set it up so we would seek him, and he would respond to us when we did. Is he playing hard to get? Well, he may be, only inasmuch as he wants a relationship with someone who wants one with him, and the way you show that you do is by seeking him. God will not force himself on anyone.

This is an incredible privilege he has given his creation, when you think of it. God joins in the give and take of a relationship with us! That means that if you don’t get close to God, well … you don’t get close to God. In other words, he gives us the integrity of making the first move.

I think this is what was meant in that strange passage in Matthew 6:7-8 when Jesus warns us not to give what is sacred to dogs and not to give pearls to pigs. God doesn’t reveal himself to those who aren’t interested in a relationship with him. And it’s no indictment on them; they simply wouldn’t get it. Dogs don’t know what is sacred. Pigs have no use for pearls. Their only value is what they can eat, so the real value of pearls would be wasted on a pig.

The truth about God is wasted on someone who is not interested in knowing him, so he doesn’t draw near to that person. He draws near to those who come to him. But believe me, once you show any indication of interest, he’s right there.

Actually, we all need God and we all know it. Even those who deny God and run the other way are desperately seeking him from some empty place inside. We just don’t all want to admit it.

But for those who do, God is all over any attempt on our part to get close to him. It makes no difference how you do this. There is no right or wrong way to seek God. You just seek him, and you keep on seeking him. There’s no end to this because there’s no end to God. There’s always more of him to discover and experience. Worship is never static. It keeps opening up more and more of God to us as we worship him and live our lives out according to his purposes.

Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

Everyone wants to be significant. We want our lives to mean something in a wider context. Some try to buy significance through their accomplishments or their wealth and possessions. They may succeed in this but only for a short while. Think of the great kings and pharaohs who tried to carry significance into the grave with them. All they got was the march of time and time has a very poor memory. If you’ve ever read gravestones, you have discovered there was a period in history when the most popular thing to put on a grave stone was: “Gone, but not forgotten.” It’s always poignant to see that statement barely legible or overgrown with weeds.

Significance is very elusive. It is one of those things you can never find when you are seeking it. Try and be significant and that’s the last thing you will be, and this is a true statement even in an age of marketing, image, and sound bites, when notoriety can be created almost overnight. The religious hypocrites of Jesus’ day tried to do this, and this is what Jesus said about them:

“When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4 NLT)

True significance comes by way of being other-minded. It is never self-serving; significance is the result of serving others. And true significance comes from being recognized by God, even if it’s in secret (and it usually is). I’m thinking about all the “little people” who will be big time in heaven. God has such a different view of this than we do.

Try this: When you are with others today, ask them how they are doing instead of talking about yourself. It’s a simple way to start thinking outside of your own head. I know about this because I get stuck in my own head all the time. I think as if other people exist for me when it should be the other way around. You and I exist to serve others. Let’s actually spend some time thinking about how we’re going to do that today.

I see, you see

While you're waiting
'"...MULTIPLY THERE AND DO NOT DECREASE."' JEREMIAH 29:6

God tells His people '"I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope and a future"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). But hope needs a nurturing environment. God didn't give them permission to take that hope, then just sit back and do nothing. No, He told them exactly what He wanted them to do while He was working out some of the details for their future: '"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce...Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you...Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper"' (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NIV). In other words, while you're waiting for God to turn things around, seize the moment. Become as productive as you possibly can. Maximise your potential. A lot of us, while we wait for God to work, think we can do nothing when there's plenty around to do. God said, 'Pray for the prosperity of those around you, because when they prosper you will too' (Paraphrase). A lot of us don't understand this. We've become concerned about one person only - ourselves. When we mess up, the only person we tend to see is ourselves. But God says 'While you're waiting on me to do something good for you, begin doing something good for others' (Paraphrase).That's what Paul meant, '"It is more blessed to give than to receive"' (Acts 20:35 NAS). Then he added: '...the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does...' (Ephesians 6:8 NIV). You see, by blessing others you literally open up a channel for God to come through when He blesses you.

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question... "What kind of man are you looking for?"

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking "Do you really want to know?"

Reluctantly, he said, "Yes."

She began to expound... As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man. I am in the position to ask, "What can you bring to the table?"

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. She quickly corrected his thought and stated, "I am not referring to money. I need something more.

"I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She said, "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple-minded man.

"I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked... believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

"I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded.

"I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive...he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, "You're asking a lot."

She replied, "I'm worth a lot''.

You shall have no other gods before.
Not money,
not sex,
not fantasy,
not drink,
not drugs,
not career,
not fame,
not the right clothes,
not the 'right' image,
not family,
not children,
not marriage.
If you follow Me,
nothing shall take My place,
for I am a jealous God
and will consume your idols.
They cannot survive.
They cannot replace me.
They cannot fulfill.
Your idols are empty shadows of Me,
poor replacements,
counterfeit gods
with empty promises.
The hole inside you want to fill
is My shape.
Only I will fit.
And when I fill your emptiness
all other things will take
their rightful place.

"O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant"

"I had loved Peter almost from the moment I met him. But he was a very earnest, intense young man, and not ready to commit himself to a relationship. So I waited. And I waited. There were other men, gentle, considerate, attractive men, romantic walks, hand-in-hand in the moonlight, proposals. I turned them all down. Was I mad? But none compared with my 'Mr Right'. I was in great danger of wasting away my life, mooning after the impossible like a lovesick toad. The minister of the church I attended decided that matters should be brought to a head. He suggested that we gave the Almighty a deadline: four months, until Christmas. If, by then, there was still no spark of life from the object of my desires, I was to leave the town and go find a job elsewhere."