Posts

Six hundred years ago, there were groups of people who believed the earth was flat. In fact they didn’t just believe the earth was flat, they “knew” the earth was flat. Because of this belief, they also believed it was impossible to sail around the world. Of course, their view was warped and limited since it was built upon knowledge which was not based in truth.

What knowledge and “facts” form our view of the world today? We probably have a better understanding of the physical workings of our world, but what knowledge determines how we view our life? Do we begin with the unlimited power and sovereignty of God, an understanding of eternity, the consequences of sin, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ?

If we allow our beliefs to be formed by the world system, our view of life will always remain limited. Rather than seeing God’s loving hand at work in our life and clearly recognizing His tools of transformation, we will see only unnecessary suffering and the apparent absence of God; “The fear {or holy reverence} of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).

Clearly, God is calling us to a closer and more meaningful relationship: calling us to love Him and trust Him more. But we will never truly grow closer until we examine the foundation of our beliefs; “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The entire Universe, and certainly our life, was formed by God and continues to exist because of His grace. To believe anything less is to fail to understand God and fail to believe His Word.

Spiritual understanding is gained through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit as we diligently pray and study God’s Word. Initially, our prayers may seem empty and His Word full of disjoint stories which don’t seem to apply; but if we continue to seek with all our heart, He will reveal His truth and we will soon begin to understand.

Proverbs 2:3-5
“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

God has gifted us with the ability to learn, the power to seek, and the freedom to choose how we use our time. Let’s use His gift to find the knowledge of God based on the reverence of His name. Let’s build a world view which is consistent with God’s Word and will stand the test of eternity. Let’s refuse to limit God, and forevermore base our lives on the foundation of truth.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Praise Him Even More” we considered our command, as well as our need, to rejoice and praise in order to sustain Spiritual life. A heart that has not been transformed by the Spirit of God cannot truly praise, and a transformed heart that does not praise will surely cease to pump Spiritual life through the body.

Silas had joined Paul on his second missionary journey. Early in the journey, the two men were seized and brought before the authorities; “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into an uproar” (Acts 16:20). For this act they were stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison with chains around their feet. However, their hearts continued to praise God and give Him thanks in spite of their conditions.

Acts 16:25
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

Giving thanks in the form of prayer, praise, song, celebration, or simply as an attitude of thankfulness is mentioned well over one thousand times in the Bible. It’s no surprise that having a heart filled with thanksgiving should be an integral part of the Christian walk. We need to see this world and the entirety of our life with new eyes – eyes that see God’s hand at work in every moment of every day.

If we believe in the One True God as the Creator of the Universe and accept the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, we should be compelled to give thanks…regardless of our circumstances. We should begin to see the evidence of God all around, and praise Him even for the air we breathe.

A heart without praise and thanksgiving is empty and does not yet understand a sovereign God or His plan. If our surroundings are continually dictating the thankfulness of our heart, perhaps we ought to ask God to reveal His loving plan in even greater clarity. Yes, God wants to see us live a life of true peace and contentment; but first and foremost, He desires for us to surrender our life to Him and bring Him glory and honor in ALL we do. Only then, and only with the power of His Spirit, will we be able to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

We cannot produce thanksgiving by simply trying to be more thankful. We only become thankful by taking our heart back to the very origin of our new nature – back to the saving grace of Jesus. Let’s return to the point where our life was made new and once again learn to rejoice; once again learn to absolutely trust; once again learn to live with a true heart of thanksgiving.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

It’s been two and a half months since my last update on my sister. The last message, which gives a good overview, is located at the following web page:

http://www.gdwm.org/display_devo.asp?Counter=mess3049

The short version is that in November of last year, my sister, currently living in Australia, was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer. The prognosis for such a cancer is extremely bad. I visited her just after Christmas and left expecting she would die within a month or two. I am pleased to report that my expectations were not met. Below is a note which she dictated; but first I need to share some thoughts about prayer and faith, or perhaps the lack in my faith.

When I wrote my first message about my sister I received over 3000 email responses – and I read them all! I was greatly encouraged by most, and I was also rebuked by several. I was rebuked for writing as if I expected my sister to die, as if I did not believe that God could heal. I was also rebuked for not believing that God would absolutely heal my sister.

For the record, I do not believe that God promises to heal all illness in this lifetime, nor do I believe that healing is dependent on my faith. However, some of the rebukes did indeed hit home.

In my part of the world we definitely pray for healing. But I have to admit that most of the time we pray not fully expecting that God can heal, or that He really would. Maybe I should not say We and rather should just say Me. When I was praying for my sister, I prayed for things like comfort and peace, and for an easing of pain. I did not pray for healing.

After my Christmas visit, and after some more gentle rebukes in response to an update message, I finally prayed for my sister to be healed. I said “God I do not see any way that my sister can be healed, but I believe you are God and can do the impossible. I pray that you would heal my sister; and if You do, I will tell the world.”

James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

My sister is not healed but the last brain scan indicated the tumors had stopped growing and several had actually shrunk in size. This itself is a miracle which has the doctors astounded. Today my sister is in better condition than when I left her in early January. I fully believe that God can heal her; whether He will or not I do not know. But she has been given a significant amount of extra time and I am so thankful.

The following note was dictated by my sister. In the note, Jaime is her husband, Nick and Ryan are two of her young children, and the move back to the USA from Australia is scheduled for the end of May.

*****************
Well I’m walking a little better and talking a little better. I still get tired lots, Jaime says something like “I can’t believe she’s going to sleep some more.” I try to have races with my right hand eating cereal with Nick or Ryan to practice getting that side to do what my brain says, like when I walk down the stairs with someone I have trouble grabbing the railing with my right hand. I’ll stare at the railing but my hand doesn’t get there, my eyesight is still my frustrating thing. I have to stare at something for a while for it to come into focus. Old people at the church say at least you have something to blame it on, maybe true but I’m used to 20/20 vision. Also when my words don’t come out right, like calling people by other names is frustrating. In general my spirits are high, it helps having the bed facing the window because I can see people coming and going and feel the sunshine, like this morning I could have laid there forever. I get a little scared about moving back to States, the flying part, how it might affect my health. We’re going to Queensland next week and I’m worried about the flight, but it will be good to go and face it as a test run. The doctor said I should be OK with TED socks (that’s Thrombo Embolic Deterrent, or compression, socks for us laymen).
***************

Thanks again for all of your prayers. I truly believe it has made a difference; your prayers have been “powerful and effective.” There is a good possibility that my sister and her family will stay with us the first week in June. I am in awe of God’s mercy. I will continue to pray for a good report the next time I send an update on my baby sister.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In our last few messages we have seen that being discipled is a life-long process which begins prior to Salvation with a clear presentation of the gospel and continues all the rest of our days. As Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, He began the process of discipleship by giving clear instruction on belief and eternal life.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The moment we truly believe, our heart is transformed and we are given the gift of eternal life; “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). However, we need to consider what Jesus meant when He said, “whoever believes in Him.” The prior verses help yield a better understanding; “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, they soon began to complain: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (Numbers 21:5). God punished the people for this sin by sending poisonous snakes. Many began to die from snake bites, so they went to Moses and said: “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us” (Numbers 21:7).

Moses prayed and God replied: “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 21:8). To be saved from the snakes, the people had to recognize their sin, repent of their sin, and understand death was certain without God’s intervention. They then had to believe God’s Word and act in faith; “Look at the snake and you will live.”

Our Salvation “process” is the same today. We have all been snake-bit by sin! We must recognize our sin (Romans 3:23), desire to turn away from our sin (repentance), and understand eternal death is certain without God’s intervention (Romans 6:23). We must then believe God’s Word: “God presented Him {Jesus} as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25). His sacrifice paid the penalty for our sins! “Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43). We must believe the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient for complete forgiveness and then act on that belief by submitting our life into His hands, trusting in Him and Him alone!

God gave us His Son, that whoever, by faith, enters through the gate of forgiveness – whoever “believes in Him” – will not perish but receive the gift of eternal life.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

When Jesus told His closest followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), He wasn’t just talking about the one-time event of Salvation; He was referring to the life-long process of “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20). The process of discipleship actually begins prior to Salvation as we are taught the truth of the gospel message, and it continues as we are “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). The need for discipleship is made clear as Jesus explains the parable of the soils.

Mark 4:14-20
“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop.”

Praise God for those who are sowing seed! The Word of God will never be received if there are not those willing to sow into the lives of others. However, receiving the word, or even initial growth, is not Salvation! Receiving, and being initially excited about the Word, can occur without conviction and certainly without a change of heart. Without proper nourishment and protection – without some form of discipleship – the received word will die and never produce fruit.

Discipleship prepares the soil and leads those who receive the Word to a true understanding of words like, “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Discipleship then helps our roots go deep and provides water for sustained growth; it teaches how to recognize and eliminate the thorns which choke and kill; it provides the necessary nutrients to produce a crop.

We must commit to being discipled through reading God’s Word, seeking Him in prayer, receiving biblical teaching, and being in fellowship with other believers. We must also search for other young plants who are beginning to grow, and disciple them as they “come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

A true relationship with the Living and Holy God is not a one-time event or prayer, it’s a lifetime commitment. Let’s reach up to our Heavenly Father and reach out to those He places in our path. The world is searching and the precious life-giving seed is being sown. Let’s nurture and encourage at every opportunity. The planted seed will only produce fruit and live to bring Him glory and honor as each of us commits to a life of discipleship.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

On Paul’s first missionary journey, he traveled with Barnabas to Cyprus and then up through several cities in Galatia. After preaching the gospel in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, they returned back through the same cities so they could strengthen those who had recently placed their faith in Jesus.

Acts 14:21-22
“They returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

The early church was facing great persecution for simply turning to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul himself faced many hardships and was recently stoned for preaching the gospel. Paul encouraged the churches by letting them know they were not alone in their suffering. But he also seemed to encourage by saying that hardship was a necessary part of the Christian walk.

Those who have placed their complete faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin have begun a journey which leads to the kingdom of God. Once we truly begin this journey, we are His child and our place with God has been reserved; “He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

However, while on this journey, God has a great plan and purpose for our life; “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Every step is for the purpose of drawing us closer and conforming us to the image of Christ. And hardship is the tool which seems to best accomplish this goal. We all might prefer that God would shape us through praise and blessings, but we seem to respond best to hardship.

It’s hardship which reminds us of our dependence on God when we’ve begun to trust in our own abilities and understanding. It’s hardship which brings us back to our knees in prayer after long seasons of silence. It’s hardship which develops the character of a mature believer: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

As difficult as this truth may be to accept and understand, part of God’s plan is for us to experience some hardship. Not all hardship can be said to come from God, but in our lost and fallen world where we come to God filled with pride and arrogance, hardship is often the only way to humble our spirit and soften our heart. Our Heavenly Father loves us enough to do whatever it takes to draw us closer to His side – even when this means being strengthened by hardship.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries