Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

I work with a person who regularly asks me, “How can I pray for you?” Knowing they are genuine in their concern—I seek to share a vulnerable, heartfelt response about issues—both professionally and personally, that feed my anxieties. Invariably—my friend smiles—looks into my eyes, deep down into my soul and says, “Let me pray for you right now.” I stand delightfully amazed, but in my heart I kneel in humble gratitude to my heavenly Father. When a friend values my needs above their own—I feel the need to prayerfully do the same for other needy souls.

Since the Spirit has designed our hearts to put others above ourselves with acts of kindness, words of affirmation and gifts befitting the occasion, we are able to be comforted by love and to comfort in love. Just as bees instinctively swirl around the ripest fruit, so a life ripe with love encounters people (with a unique story) in need of care. This is not inherent to our natural operating system—for only a heart loved first by God can authentically and consistently esteem others above themselves. Fresh iterations of love must be downloaded and installed into our soul.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Humility Values Others Above Itself  →

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.    1 Samuel 18:1

Being one in spirit means you have reached a level of relational intimacy that few obtain. The loyalty, generosity, love, service, and depth of communication reach levels that are rare in relationships. For intimacy to grow, it is imperative that we get beyond the surface of self-indulgence, and move toward selfless acts of service. People become one in spirit when there is no score-keeping. There is no scorecard charting the rights and wrongs that have been committed. You know the other accepts you, and they love you as they love themselves. One in spirit means you are comfortable with one another’s company. There is a peace that penetrates your presence. Distractions diminish in importance when you experience oneness in spirit. There is an unspoken loyalty that leavens the relationship of those who are one in spirit. When one or the other is caught in the crossfire of life’s events, each knows his friend is close by to help.

Oneness in spirit means you hurt when your friend hurts. When he feels the barbs of rejection, you feel rejected; When she is the brunt of another’s anger, you are taken back by the anger; When he is jarred by jealousy, you feel the pain of jealousy; When she is ravished by disease, you are available any time. There is an energized empathy that engulfs the relationships of those who are one in spirit. It is not a sentimental sensitivity, but one that is based on the sensitivity of our Savior.

The oneness of spirit around the Spirit of God is the most meaningful. Jesus is the best facilitator for real relationships. He is the glue that brings hearts together in oneness for what’s best for God’s Kingdom. Christ is the catalyst for unity around what’s really important. His heart is for us to pray for unity around His will. Jesus has an intimate affect on friends who fear and love Him. Oneness around our one and only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, brings us close together. His Spirit binds the spirits of believers together in a bond the world does not understand. As we grow closer to Christ, we grow closer to Christ’s followers. We are able to have oneness in relationships with those who are one with Christ. So, seek to go deep with those who are deep in the Lord.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – One in Spirit  →

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

Few things in this world eat away at you like unconfessed sin and unresolved conflict. Like a cancer deep in your bones, the longer it is left ignored and untreated the more it grows and spreads, infecting all parts of your body and soul. Though we have a remarkable ability to suppress and ignore our emotions, they never simply go away. The hurt and pain often rests just below the surface, ready at the most unexpected times to resurface in the form of angry outbursts, unexplained anxiety, and paralyzing fear.

The good news of God’s kingdom is that Jesus enters into the brokenness of our world and speaks life into all the places where death once reigned. And yet, so often due to our shame or lack of trust, we keep our wounds hidden, telling ourselves that they aren’t that bad or that we can heal them on our own.

When we see the goodness of God shown to us in Jesus, we encounter a purity and intensity of love that lets us lay down our weapons and the walls that we work so hard to keep up. We learn that his consuming fire isn’t a fire of anger or rage but is a purifying fire that desires to burn away all that is impure in our lives. He wants us to come out of the shadows, not so our shame and hurt can be exposed and ridiculed, but so that in the light of his love the darkness of our hearts can be driven out by his light.

If we do not trust that God is good and loving and able to heal the sickest parts of our souls, we will always struggle to freely and frequently confess our sins to him and to one another. When we let the sickness of sin grow untreated in our souls, we turn away from the healing balm of God’s Spirit and instead inflict wounds upon ourselves and upon others, often upon the people in our lives that are the dearest and most loved.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Keep Short Accounts  →

But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

Our gracious God guarantees a grant of wisdom in His ways. He wants us to experience His eternal aim for His glory. His purpose fulfillment started when we placed our faith in Jesus. This was our contract with Christ that laid the responsibility of fulfilling His purpose at the feet of our heavenly Father. Our Lord finishes what He begins. Whatsoever the Lord takes in hand, He will accomplish. So we trust the Almighty with the fulfillment of His ways for our life.

The mystery of God’s plan had already been announced to His servants the prophets in the first coming of Jesus as a suffering servant for the sins of mankind, and in Christ’s second coming as reigning King and Judge of the sins of mankind. Without faith, the ways of the Lord remain a mystery, but by faith God’s children are able to see God’s ways. Faith brings real fulfillment.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer prepares us to harvest heaven’s purpose for our life. We cry out to the Most High because there is nothing and no one any higher. God is the divine decision maker. He is our Maker. Nowhere else we can go to understand the purpose of our lives other than the Lord Jesus Christ. We cry out to Christ because He has adopted us. Our Heavenly Father defines our purpose by His purpose for us. Prayer positions us to be led by the Holy Spirit. He fulfills His purposes.

Lean into the Lord to be led into His plan for your life. Once you establish His purpose for you, leverage it for others. Use your strength of position to help others discover their God-given purpose. Have them list their gifts, skills, passions and experiences. Pray with them about how God wants to collate their assets for Christ. No season of life is insignificant in the Lord’s eyes. Don’t wish away where you are today. By faith, you can be sure that Christ is currently fulfilling your purpose. Affirm your goals are God-given and trust Him with their fulfillment!

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose to me” (Psalm 57:2).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I wait on You to show me the way to go and I’ll trust you all the way.

Application: What is the role of prayer in fulfilling God’s plan? How can I adjust my goals to reflect God’s?

Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 28:12; Job 5:11-12; Psalms 20:4, 33:11; 2 Corinthians 1:15-18

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They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Revelation 9:4

Sealed by our Savior Jesus is a picture of the Lord’s possession of believers and our relationship with Him. We are possessed by God and we have access to God. What a deal: we surrender ourselves and in exchange we know God and He holds title to us. What the Holy Spirit has, He preserves. He is our guarantee. Our inheritance is a secure life with Jesus now and forever. God’s rich grace gives us the commerce to build His kingdom. We are possessed by the Lord for His purposes.

John makes clear those who are sealed by God are kept and protected by God. The final days of judgment will pass over the people who have placed their faith in Christ, but those who have trusted in their own version of truth—will be found out—and will miss out on the rewards of a grace-based life. Unable to overcome the harm of hurtful forces—unbelievers will wish they had trusted and followed the promise of Jesus to possess His power that overcomes (Luke 10:18-20).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you” (1 Peter 2:9).

What does it mean to be in relationship with the Lord? We have intimate access to Abba God. We seek our heavenly Father in faith and quiet confidence. He is a gracious dad who gives us grace and strength for life’s journey. We walk with our Savior Jesus. Like a compassionate big brother He forgives us, He cares for us and calls us friend. We follow the Holy Spirit’s lead away from temptation and into the Lord’s will. As a blessed child of God—we have all we need!

What does it mean to be possessed by the Lord? What God possesses He keeps. He keeps us as His own. He is jealous of other attractive suitors. He keeps us as His special people. He loves the world, but He loves with everlasting love those who trust His son Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. He keeps us for His praise and glory. When we sing to our great and majestic Almighty God, it is a holy and acceptable sacrifice to heaven. He protects and prizes His sealed possession.

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your rich inheritance and for possessing my life.

Application: What area of my life do I need to surrender and allow the Lord to possess?

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Samuel 12:22; Titus 2:14; Romans 9:25-26

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Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.   Psalm 46:10

God created us as human beings, not human doers. Yet everything—from our culture to our career—defaults to doing. We are taught by western society that if we are not busy, we must be lazy. There is a contemporary guilt that keeps us on the go. We are driven to do by some unseen capitalistic force. We are so intent on getting things done that we forget why we engaged in the process to begin with. It’s all about progress and seeing it through to the end. It’s all about the results, making the grade, and exceeding the earnings estimates. After all, if you are really important, your cell phone will constantly vibrate and your e-mail will seduce you 24/7. This is the sad state of those of us who are trapped by doing. Like an alcoholic in denial, we are intoxicated by activity.

Our ego glosses over the need for God, as we justify driven behavior with bad theology. We act like the Almighty’s hands are tied and it is up to us to make things happen. But God is not limited by our lowly view of Him. He still governs the universe and our lives. Kings, presidents, and dictators are still accountable to the Almighty and His agenda. CEOs, entertainers, and athletes still have a higher power in Jesus Christ to whom they must answer. It is wise to get off our high horse of self-importance and be still before God. If we continue to race through life at a breakneck pace, we will break. Our health, finances, and relationships are fragile, and eventually they will fracture under the pressure of habitual doing.

We are humans in need—in need of being who God created us to be. Our God-given roles in life are a great place to cultivate our human being-ness. For example, when we take the time to be a respectful child who honors his parents, we are being. Visit, call, or write regularly and you will be the child your parents need. You honor God when you honor them. Above all else, be with God. There is a knowing and understanding of God that comes only from spending time with Him. In-depth knowledge of God is not derived from service only, but in sitting and reflecting on the Holy One being served. It is in your doing that you validate your being, and it is in your being that you purify your reasons for doing.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Human Beings  →

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up. Revelation 8:7

Spiritual fruit from the past is no substitute for fruit produced in the present. Praise God for our faithful ancestors of the faith, but their fruit was for their time. The Spirit of God looks to harvest fruit of repentance for this generation. The good old days of spiritual renewal are inspiring to reminisce upon, but today the Lord calls those of us with a little gray hair to grow up in His grace. We who identify with Jesus have a significant role and responsibility to produce fruit of repentance.

Those who ignore spiritual fruit bearing in this life will experience the severe discipline of the Lord in the next life. Indeed, as we close in on Christ’s second coming, it is imperative we are prepared to meet our Maker with lives that reflect God’s standards, not the anemic morality of a sick society. The picture of a world that rejects repentance of sin and turning to Jesus is not a pretty site: the discipline of the Lord on unrepentant sinners will escalate across a scorched earth.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

How do we know if we produce fruit of repentance? Private belief for salvation and public confession in baptism are the first fruits of repentance, but just the beginning point. The ongoing fruit bearing process is a lifetime of leaning into the Lord. The Spirit reminds us when we drift into bad habits or wrong thinking. We confess spiritual pride and remember that only by the grace of God can we do good. We turn from self righteousness and turn to God’s righteousness.

What is the proof of fruit produced by repentance? Good deeds from a heart of humility and grace are fruit that glorifies God. Your Spirit-filled actions of abstinence, generosity, tutoring, public service, faith sharing, foster care and orphan adoption please your Heavenly Father. Jesus smiles when you are hospitable or when you visit the sick or those in prison. Your authentic repentance keeps you broken to care for the broken. What breaks God’s heart breaks your heart!

“I [Paul] preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grow in me a humble heart that is quick to confess and repent of my sin.

Application: What do I need to repent of and turn to the Lord for forgiveness and the faith to produce good deeds?

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 4:30; Jeremiah 18:11; Luke 3:8-9;  Galatians 3:7

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The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:4

Prayer is not meant to be perfunctory, but powered by the Holy Spirit. When I am preoccupied and attempt to pray, I short circuit the Spirit’s work. However, when I pray in the Spirit with my mind engaged and my heart fully focused, there is full contact with Christ. The flesh seeks a quick fix, but the Spirit desires deep affection that develops over time. Spiritual prayers flow from praise and worship to Almighty God. He receives the prayer aroma of His daughters and sons as the sweet aroma of a holy sacrifice to Him alone. The Holy Spirit is our prayer whisperer.

Prayers for justice in this life may not be answered until the next life. Like the distinct aroma of incense, the prayers of God’s people flow up into the nostrils of God. The altar normally designed for mercy is repurposed for justice. As the prayers of the saints in heaven ascend to the Lord, the Lord’s judgment descends on the earth and its inhabitants. Without consequences for evil, grace and mercy lose their luster.  Yes, prayer and faith facilitate God’s purposes into action.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).

Pray on all occasions. With bowed head recognize Jesus as the provider of a delicious meal. Before you partake of the tasty morsels, taste His grace. Pray and prepare your heart prior to a hard conversation, so any anger or harshness is replaced by patience and compassion. Pray as you think about a big decision; ask questions like, “Is my motive to glorify God?” “What counsel would I give to someone else in a similar situation?” Spiritual prayers have the Spirit’s leading.

Variety is the spice of an effective prayer life. Employ a plethora of prayers that protect you from familiarity that can breed boredom. Pray for patience, so you are slow to anger. Pray for the sick, so they might be healed. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, so the seeds of salvation will grow in the hearts of lost souls. Pray for those who suffer, so their comfort comes from Christ. Pray for forgiveness, so your heart is healed and filled with the Holy Spirit!

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Prayer for God’s Purposes  →

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 2:3-4

Although I knew my husband was a good man before we tied the knot, I am humbled every day of our married life by how good he is to me. And, since it is our wedding anniversary today, I think it’s a good day to share three things I appreciate about him.

He appreciates my quirks. I have some quirky personality traits. For example, when I am having fun, sometimes my voice changes and I sound like I am five years old. In the past some of the men I dated didn’t like this quality and shamed me for it. My husband thinks it’s cute. I also tend to be scattered. As a creative type, my mind is often in a million places at once so I forget where I put the keys, my shoes, or cell phone. He says, “It’s just one of the things that makes you, you. I choose to find it adorable.” My husband praises me for my unique personality traits, even if I don’t deserve it, and that’s something I am very grateful for.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

He doesn’t try to change me. In an effort to be helpful—and out of insecurity or pride—some people constantly try to change their mate. They always point out their flaws, make condescending statements, and shame their loved one. I am so grateful that my husband continually builds me up with words of kindness rather than constantly correcting or trying to control me. He isn’t afraid to tell me the truth, but his attitude is always filled with grace, acceptance, and gentleness. He practices Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  This makes me feel loved and emotionally safe. As a result, I freely share my life, thoughts, and sins with him.

He is generous with his time and resources. I grew up in a home in which my father was not generous with his time or resources. Although I loved my dad (he passed away in 2005) I always felt like a burden and that my father didn’t delight in me. Now that I am married, I am so grateful the Lord has shown me unselfishness through my husband. He always has time to listen to me, hold me if I need to cry, and he freely shares our household monies. He never makes me feel like I am too expensive, take up too much time, or that I am in the way.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – 3 Things I Appreciate About My Husband →

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.   Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

Small things are big to God, so they are not to be discounted or despised. After all, our Savior is in the small things. Our pride wants to get on to the larger and more important opportunities. It dismisses the mundane or the monotonous. But success and significance are also found in the small things.

A quiet smile at a restaurant server is small, but significant. A little gift for an unsuspecting sanitation worker is small, but significant. Learning the children’s names of a blue-collar worker in your company, and occasionally joining him for lunch is small, but significant. Attention to small things makes people big. Celebrate an office employee’s birthday over breakfast, or an important personal milestone over lunch or dinner. When we give attention to small things, we say we care. Private acts of love foster public loyalty and long-term commitment. It is the attention to small things that build great people and grow great companies.

This is also true with our children. If we want influence with them when they face big issues as teenagers and adults, it is imperative we show interest in the small things of their childhood. Parental investment in ballgames, recitals, school plays, scouts, church camps, outdoors, homework, shared hobbies, and church all add up to an invitation to big things. Little things like tucking them in at night will one day give them the trust to invite us into the dark night of their soul. Investment in the small things invites influence with the big things.

Therefore, do not despise this season of small things. They are like seeds that eventually grow into grand and glorious opportunities of influence. There is a definite sequence of seed planting, watering, fertilizing, and cultivating. The process can become boring and seem unproductive, but this illustrates how God works. Your Savior is into stringing together a sequence of small activities that leads to larger outcomes. So stay with the small things, for in due season you will reap the harvest.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Small Things  →

“Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.”    Luke 15:27

Our soul seeks out safe environments. We are attracted to people we can trust, who accept us for who we are instead of who we need to be. Safe environments give us security and peace. We can bare our souls because we know we are in a place of confidentiality, so do not fear rejection. A business meeting with a rigid agenda, pretense, and pride is not a safe place in which to be yourself.

Those who foster safe environments seek first to understand; there is no rush to judgment, but there is a rash of love. In safe environments, we feel loved, even when we are unlovely. Parents have the privilege of providing a safe environment for their teenagers transitioning into young adulthood. This can be a trying time for everyone, as your children are not babies anymore, so they do not want to be babied and controlled.

By God’s grace, you have trained them for such a time as this. This is your teenager’s time of transition into maturity and he or she may have to make a bad relational decision in the process. This is how he or she grows and learns. Therefore, as parents, it is imperative you keep the home environment safe and non-combative. Continue to speak the truth in love, but do so graciously with great patience and after much prayer. If your teenager doesn’t feel safe at home, they will find safety and acceptance elsewhere; so create attractive environments they want to be in.

Safe environments are also necessary for Christ-seekers. People searching for authentic faith need someplace to ask questions without being rebuffed for their elementary inquires. More mature believers have the opportunity to be there for those on their faith journey, but judgment is a juggernaut against safe environments, as it crushes with a condescending attitude. So, be careful not to impose your high standards on a person or situation, and in the process endanger the safe environment. Share your own failures and struggles, doing so builds bridges to the heart. Safe environments are void of pedestals of pride. Consider a Bible discussion in your home, and follow it up with a fun activity. Make Christianity attractive, not boring. Safe environments draw people to Christ.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Safe Environments  →

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:14

A God hug is a timely gift. His hugs soothe, comfort and calm. He is never late in offering His affection or too busy to stand still and embrace His human creation. The Spirit gently caresses burdened shoulders and rubs out raw pain from the backs of believers. His compassion has never failed. His mercy is fresh every day. Like a cool cream alleviates an itchy rash, so His balm of grace relieves a rash of worries. A God hug holds on until healing occurs. He holds on tight.

The Lamb Jesus, serves as the Great Shepherd who will tenderly lead those who have suffered to springs of living water. Though He is the sovereign judge, and Lion of Judah—Jesus continues to  shepherd His sheep, whose hearts are heavy and hurting. Tears trickle into the hands of the One who holds the world in His hands and wipes away weeping with His gentle touch. Sheep who look to their compassionate Shepherd for care—will not despair—but be aware of His secure affection.

“For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones” (Isaiah 49:13).

A God hug does not happen on the run, but when we stand still. ‘Slow down my child,’ He says, ‘Hush, I have this,’ ‘Be still, let Me hold you.’ ‘Rest in My arms.’ So we learn to stay stationary by faith and trust the right activities will get done in the right time. When we schedule appointments to be loved by the Lord, we receive strength for the journey. Otherwise we exhaust our ability to encourage without the infusion of Christ’s courage. His hugs hearten. The Lord comforts us, so we can comfort others.

Shout for joy in praise to your Creator for His comfort and compassion. Brag on His name and extol Him for His divine affection. Like the father of the prodigal son who returned home, your Father in Heaven can’t wait to embrace you in your shame, stress or success. He runs to greet you with warm acceptance, so throw yourself into His arms. Cast your cares on Christ and abandon your life to the Lord. Invite His affections to become your affections. Yes, enjoy His sweet embrace!

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I receive your love and affection. Thanks for your comforting hugs just when I need them.

Application: What hurt is in need of a hug from my compassionate heavenly Father? Who needs a reassuring hug of comfort from me?

Related Readings: Psalm 23:4; Jeremiah 8:18; Zechariah 10:2; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart…O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Psalm 51:6, 15

Have you ever noticed how we are tempted towards extremes in life? We so often say “either/or” rather than “both/and.” We do this with food, entertainment, and social interactions, often struggling to find that elusive balance of discipline and indulgence, activity and pleasure, personal time and interaction with others. In our spiritual lives, the same temptation exists.

One of the greatest imbalances I see in the Christian life is the inability to maintain a vibrant personal faith and an intentional life of active praise and service. These are both faithful expressions of our Christian faith and are never meant to be an “either/or” choice. In fact, they are closely linked!

When we submit our lives, our wills, and our desires to the Lord, we open ourselves up to the Spirit’s internal renovation. He teaches us the way of wisdom within our innermost being, making us capable of knowing and loving him. This is why it is so important to find a regular rhythm of prayer and personal devotion. In these moments we encounter God’s love, forgiveness, and healing grace.

However, as we encounter God in the secret place, this renewal and renovation is only a part of the story. Our personal faith always has a public expression. As the psalmist says, the Lord opens our lips and renews our hearts so that we can declare his praises! This is the “both/and” of our faith. God wants to heal and renew your heart, but he also wants you to actively share his love and tell others of his goodness and faithfulness.

Personal faith without public praise is self-fulfilling, inverted, and anemic. Public praise without the renewing work of the Spirit is a form of moral striving and will always lead to exhaustion and burn out.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Well-Balanced Faith  →