What Is Your Goal in Life?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published February 15, 2012 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
What is your goal in life?
July 27, 2012. Does this date have any significance for you? It might, if it’s your birthday, the start of your summer vacation, or possibly an anniversary. But for most, it’s just another day…unless you are an Olympic athlete. This summer date marks the beginning of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. For four years and more, athletes have been dedicating hours upon hours to work and train to compete on an international scale with one goal: winning a gold medal.
As far back as 776BC (www.olympic.org) athletes have gone into strict training to gain the top prize. Today it’s a gold medal. For ancient Greek athletes it was a sacred olive tree wreath placed on their head in the vestibule of the temple of Zeus. The effort was immense, however the losers were many and the glory of the victor often short-lived.
While we admire the discipline and dedication of an Olympic athlete, the Apostle Paul encourages the same dedication, discipline and determination in pursuing a life with the Lord Jesus. Life can easily become consumed with the temporary and transient. Perhaps today is an opportunity to ask, “What am I doing today to spend time and energy pursuing the one thing that will last forever, a close and growing relationship with Jesus Christ?”
Paul “beat his body” and made it his slave to proclaim Jesus to others and to grow in his personal walk with Jesus. What do I have to say “No!” to in order to have time each day to spend reading the Bible or in personal devotion and prayer? What disciplines do I need to put the love of Jesus into my attitudes and actions each day? What priorities do I need to adjust to ensure I and my family are intensely pursuing the one thing that matters, the love of the Lord Jesus and a life lived for the Lord Jesus?
Today, with the Lord’s help, run in such a way to gain the prize that lasts forever! Tomorrow do the same…and the next day…and the next! “Be faithful to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you for pursuing us with a focus and intensity that took you to the cross for each of us. Instill in us the discipline, determination, and dedication to pursue a closer and growing relationship with you so that when our final day on this earth comes, we will enjoy standing in your temple receiving the crown of life you won for us. AMEN.
How Long, O Lord?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published December 15, 2010 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7-11
How long, O Lord?
You were fired from your job because you refused to participate in unethical behavior. Your friends stopped hanging out with you because you turned down an invitation to a drinking party. Your spouse ridicules you for getting up and going to church on Sunday mornings. When a faculty member finds out you are a Christian he speaks of you as narrow-minded and unscientific and seeks to undermine your credibility.
At times the life of a Christian is difficult. Thoughts can easily come into our minds and say, “I’m glad I’m not a Christian,” or “I wish I weren’t a Christian.” Suffering because we are connected with Christ is not easy. Giving up and abandoning Christ seems like the easier choice. We may think, “Why keep putting ourselves through this?”
Christians of all generations have suffered in one way or another for their faith. It’s hard. It’s not fun. It challenges our patience and willingness to stand firm and stay true to Christ. To the outsider it may make Christianity unattractive.
Yet here’s the perspective we cannot forget. The Lord is coming back and will restore and reward all those who have clung to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of their sins. The blessing of heaven will far outweigh challenges we encounter in this life because of our faith. “The Lord IS full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
The farmer suffers through long days and nights of planting. He fixes tractors when they break. He works hard to save crops after hail and storms. Yet he doesn’t give up because the reward of the crop is worth it.
Dear reader, don’t give up. The Lord will return. Know that you will be blessed as you have persevered! ”I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Prayer: I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Amen.
(Psalm 119:107)
Meaning Amidst Meaninglessness
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published August 13, 2010 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
Ecclesiastes 2:18-26
18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
“I can’t understand it. I’ve invested 25 years in that company. I was only five years from retiring and they showed me the door. What a waste.”
“I’ve been saving for the past twenty years only to see all my savings depleted through the down turn in the economy. Why did I work so hard to save that?
“I can’t believe I have to be on call all weekend. It seems like the harder I work, the more I work and in the end I’m neglecting everything else. What’s the use?”
Life can feel pretty meaningless at times. If these type of thoughts move through your mind from time to time, you wouldn’t be the first. Hundreds of years ago one of the most powerful rulers of all time, King Solomon of Israel, mused about how meaningless life can be. He described it as a “chasing after the wind.”
If our focus in life is to chase after material things, we will never catch them. There is always more money to earn, a higher standard of living to obtain, more tasks to do, and another promotion to be had. Yet, why do we spend so much energy trying to catch something as fleeting as a breath? The world leads to believe we can catch it and find significance and value and purpose in it. What a lie!
This Scripture today is a great one to refocus our day and our life. We all need to repent of our chasing after things that are meaningless and temporary. Today God desires to focus our attention on what is important and lasting. Recognize that all you have is a gift of God and is to be used to please God. Go to work, not to please your employer, but to please the Almighty Living God. As you think about the purpose and meaning to life, realize that what matters most is what God has given you in his Son Jesus, full and free forgiveness for all of your sins. As you look ahead through this life to the next, realize that while all the stuff of this earth will pass away, God has in store for you a place in heaven that will never pass away.
PRAYER: Dear Father, today turn my attention away from what is temporary and meaningless to what is eternal and meaningful. Keep my focus on you and your Son Jesus and lead me to realize my purpose today is to love and please you and love and serve the people around me. This is where I can find true joy and meaning in what I do. AMEN.
I’ve Had Enough!
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published in 2009 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19:3-8)
I’ve Had Enough!!!
John knew the good life. He was making a six figure income. He had a beautiful wife and three children. He was active in his church and loved to volunteer as his kids’ soccer coach. But that was then. Now he was unemployed. His wife had been diagnosed with cancer and one of his children had contracted the “swine flu.” As he sat up one night trying to make sense of it all, the only thing that came through his mind was the thought, “I have had enough Lord. I don’t know what to do. I have given my life to honor you and now this is what I have to deal with. I feel like dying.”
Life can quickly turn us from the height of joy and prosperity to one of depression and hopelessness. Why, Lord? Why am I still alive? It would be better if I were dead. Have these thoughts crossed your mind? Do you know someone else who has or is thinking this? It is a very debilitating and dark place to be. Yet, we wouldn’t be the first one.
The prophet Elijah had just seen the power of the Almighty God send fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice and altar in the front for 400 prophets of the false god, Baal (See 1 Kings 18). You would think this affirmation would propel the prophet with boldness and confidence. But when a death threat came from the Queen of Israel, he ran for his life to the desert and found a broom tree. There he prayed, “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4).
Life without the Lord is a dark and depressing place to be. Yet, in his grace, shortly after this, the Lord made himself evident to Elijah through a still small voice to encourage and strengthen him (1 Kings 19:12). If your days are dark and depressed and you feel like you have had enough, maybe it is time to open the pages of Scripture or to connect with a Bible-preaching church (go to www.whataboutjesus.com and click on “Church Locator”) to hear the still small voice of the Lord say to you, “I love you. I forgive you. I have not forsaken you and have plans to bless you through this situation.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord when I am at my wits end and feel as if I want to die, please turn my heart to you to find true joy, true hope and true love in your Son, Jesus Christ. Speak to me in the quiet voice of your Word to encourage and strengthen my faith in you. AMEN.
Are You Going to Heaven?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published: October 28, 2013 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
Luke 18:18-27
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ ”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Are you going to heaven?
An aol.com poll* asked its subscribers to answer two questions, “What is the key to getting to heaven?” and “Are you going to heaven?” Of the over 120,000 answers that were recorded, nearly 90% answered affirming their belief that they would go to heaven. Nearly 2 out of 3 indicated the key to getting to heaven was “living a good life.” (2% thought the key was “slipping St. Peter a $20”!)
The question has been around for centuries. So has the majority answer, “Living a good life.” After all when one understands even the general concept of hell versus the good of heaven, who would want to believe that they are going to hell? Along with that, doesn’t it make sense that I could control my own destiny by how well I lived (or at least “doing my best” so I’m “good with God”).
A certain ruler asked Jesus a similar question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Behind his question was the assumption that his eternal destiny could be obtained by a strong effort. He had done his best, kept the commandments (at least no “BIG” sins!). Yet Jesus identified one very important thing that was lacking. His heart was captivated by wealth, not God. Outwardly he looked really good. In fact it certainly seems like he would have “made the cut” based on his actions. But he went away sad because all he did was not enough.
Those standing around reacted, “Who then can be saved?” Very quickly they realized that inheriting eternal life was an impossible task if attempted on one’s own.
Jesus clarifies, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Those who simply trust in the completed work of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection have certainty of eternal life. Too simple? Seem impossible? Not for God.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
So how can you not just THINK you are going to heaven, but KNOW you are going to heaven?
“Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for thinking that I can ever do enough to earn my way into heaven. I know I have fallen short and don’t deserve your favor, let alone an eternity with you. Yet what was impossible for me, you made possible through Jesus Christ. Cause me to find certainty in him and share that certainty with others. AMEN.
* http://www.dare2share.org/devotions/9-out-of-10-people-say-what/#sthash.t4aIUiRt.dpbs