No Off Season

The National Football League’s season came to a close last night with the Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean that the league’s teams suddenly become dormant. They are all active planning for the next season, making personnel changes, and seeking in most ways to make their team better. It is the same in all professional sports as they have no real offseason, just a time when their activities may be somewhat different.

II Timothy 4:1-2 says, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” Those who trust in Jesus Christ have no off season. We must be ready at all times to do the work God has called us to do and to proclaim His name everywhere. We may be called to different tasks at different times, but our message and God’s purpose for us remains the same.

Standing Up For What You Believe

How willing are we to stand up for what we believe in the face of opposition? We may be willing to face verbal abuse for our values. We may even be willing to go into territory dominated by those who oppose our values. Some may be willing to make public protest for their beliefs. Soldiers are willing to die to protect the people and values that they believe.

In Daniel 3:17-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with certain death in a fiery furnace for disobeying the king’s order to worship his idol. This was their response: “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Our faith is trusting the God who is able, not in trusting for our desired outcome. These three men were unwilling to compromise their faith in God, but were willing to face a cruel and fatal punishment for their beliefs. They placed their trust in the God who is able to save them, not in their desire for safety.

Find the Way In

Have you ever wanted to go into some place, but could not find a way to enter. You try every door and they are all locked. Finally, you see someone that appears to know the way inside. That person possesses the key and knows where to unlock a door. But you don’t have an invite or authorization to enter, so this person cannot help you. All you want is a chance to see the interior, but you are denied.

Job 37:22-23 says, “Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty – we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.” God’s majesty is often described in the scriptures as light so bright and powerful that we cannot look directly upon Him. But thanks to the cleansing blood of Jesus and His interceding for us, the believer can confidently approach God with our prayers and worship. Jesus leads us into the presence of the Almighty. Faith in Jesus is the authorization that we need to enter into God’s throneroom.

Basic Knowledge

All my life, I have struggled with basic auto and home repairs. I was never taught the basics of how things work and how to fix problems. In our house, my wife does the handyman work, because her father taught how to do many repairs. If she doesn’t know how to fix it, we have to call in a repairman, because I am of no help. We all have holes in our knowledge about many subjects. This prohibits us from enjoying the full benefits of that knowledge.

II Samuel 7:28 says, “And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.” These words of King David’s prayer sum up what faith in God truly means. First, we believe that the Lord is God, creator and ruler of heaven and earth. Secondly, we believe that His words are always true and His promises are secure. And thirdly, we believe that God is always good to His children.

A Slippery Slope

When I went out to walk this morning, ice was everywhere. Every step was treacherous. One false move and I would have fallen. When someone hurts us, we can take the slippery, and often disastrous, move to take revenge upon them. It is likely that the conflict will increase and that we will not be satisfied with our actions.

Deuteronomy 32:35 says, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.” When someone harms us, we are often tempted to taken revenge upon them in some way. However, those who trust in God should know that God notices the one who caused us pain and He feels our hurt even more than we do. He will be far more thorough in His justice against those who have hurt us.