Posts

The Bible is a precious gift. It’s God’s Word written by human hands, but inspired by the Holy Spirit. These words tell of the creation of the Universe and God’s first “breath of life” into man (Genesis 2:7). They tell of man’s first sin, his separation from God, and the long process of being brought back into a right and loving relationship with the Father – a process made complete through faith in Jesus Christ. These are the words God chose; the lasting words which reveal His nature and eternal plan; the words of truth which provide “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us” (2 Peter 1:3).

We can carry His Word as an offensive weapon used to battle the enemy; “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). But His Word is also used as a fine surgical tool; “Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). His Word can purify and refine by cutting away all which is offensive and unclean.

But for God’s Word to have its intended purpose in our life, we must accept it as absolute truth, “not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The Bible is not just a collection of interesting stories and somewhat profound writings, it is God’s Word! We are to receive His Word in faith and apply it with power and authority.

Jesus began His ministry on earth when He was thirty years old. He was baptized by John in the Jordan River and then led into the desert and tempted by the devil. Each time the devil tried to tempt Jesus away from the path which God established, Jesus resisted by directly applying the Word of God.

Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Three times the devil tempted – and three times Jesus answered, “It is written!” When Jesus spoke these words with complete faith and as absolute truth, there was no room for debate; “The devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him” (Matthew 4:11).

Yes, we have been given a precious gift. We have the words which are able to prepare our heart for the gift of eternal life. We have the words which can yield a life of contentment and peace – a life with purpose. But this gift is only for those who believe and obey. Let’s fully accept and apply God’s Word today. Let’s trust with all our heart so we can face any trial or temptation with a steadfast assurance. His Word is truth and the final authority! Let’s answer this world with a bold confidence by KNOWING that it is written!!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

We spend a great deal of our time and energy attempting to create various areas of our life. We strive to create the ideal work environment in order to provide the necessary resources to create the ideal social and home life. We plan the details of our free time in hopes of creating the ideal leisure. We even go so far as working hard to create the ideal “religious” experience.

Psalm 100:3
“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

No amount of our own effort will ever create the “ideal.” For if we are striving to create, we are chasing after the world’s elusive, ever changing, false definition of what is really ideal and fulfilling. Our only hope at finding the true ideal is in understanding we are the created, not the Creator. The absolute best in life begins with knowing whose life we really live; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Our life belongs to Christ and it must be left with Him to create the life He desires.

Jesus is the only One who has ever truly been in the creation business; “All things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). We were created by Jesus for His sovereign purpose; “We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). Somehow we’ve begun to consider ourselves as the work of our own hands. We try to create a life according to the world’s system and fulfill “needs” and “rights” based on this false world view. Not only is this self centered world view wrong – not only does this value system pull our heart away from God and grieve the Holy Spirit as we fail to follow His leading – but it can also send us into bondage as we chase a lie which will never satisfy.

The truth that will set us free is that our needs are extremely small and we actually have NO rights – at least not in this world; “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We have been purchased with the blood of Jesus and given eternal life as joint heirs with Christ in God’s Kingdom. We have the “right,” the privilege, and the great honor of praising Him for all eternity. We need and deserve nothing more.

If we truly want the ideal, we will stop trying to create our life and place every area in the Hands of a loving Creator. God defines and shapes the ideal, and His ideal is ours for the asking. The ideal job, home, marriage, ministry, fun, and friends are all ours – but only through releasing our rights, redefining our needs, and humbly understanding that we are the created.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

There are many people who remain just outside the gate of eternal life. They have heard the gospel message but are still not convinced of its absolute truth. They may concede that religion is “good,” but they need much more evidence before being willing or able to commit their life.

Many of us in the church can relate to those standing outside the gate, refusing to commit. We are inside, but not following Christ as we should. We say that if God would give us signs like He gave Abraham and Moses, then all doubt would be removed and we would follow in true obedience. But I don’t believe we would! Jesus said we must first follow before we will truly know; “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own” (John 7:17). God has revealed Himself. He has called us to follow – to step out in faith – and to THEN receive a wonderful confirmation of His truth.

My own life is my greatest “sign” pointing to God. I’ve never seen the Red Sea part nor audibly heard God’s voice in a burning bush. I’ve never seen water changed to wine, a blind man made able to see or a lame man made able to walk. But when I look back at the “mud and mire” (Psalm 40:2) from which I’ve been saved, I see an absolutely clear miracle. And as I walk with Jesus day in and day out…I KNOW!

In addition, Paul reminds us that all the wonders of creation are a sign of God’s Hand.

Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

There are signs of God all around. Yet sadly, our senses are too often closed. We cry out for evidence, yet we see, hear, smell, touch, and taste evidence every day; He is here with us in infinite detail.

It’s not surprising that the world fails to recognize the evidence; “the sinful mind is hostile to God” (Romans 8:7). The world lives in darkness and is blind to Heavenly wonders, but we no longer belong to the world; “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). Those who have been rescued must now walk in the Light and “see” according to what the Light reveals.

God is calling us into a life of continual and passionate devotion. Let’s begin to worship Him every moment of every day as we see His glory in the flowers, trees, and stars; as we hear His beauty in the songs of a bird and the cry of a baby. We’re surrounded by an abundance of spiritual signs – signs confirming He is real! Let’s step through the gate with full commitment and continue our walk in humble submission. Let’s live to glorify His name and open our senses to the true evidence of God.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

God’s desire is that we walk down the path He lays before us. This path begins with the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus; “For My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life” (John 6:40). The path continues with living a life of holiness; “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15).

We walk further down His path as we learn contentment “in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12), as we are filled with joy, prayer and thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and as we begin to truly rest in the peace which only He provides; “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you” (John 14:27). It’s important to remember that each step down God’s path is for the purpose of being “conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He may be the firstborn of many brothers” (Romans 8:29). Every step, no matter how difficult, brings us closer to God and shapes us to be more like Jesus.

Have we entered onto God’s path through faith in Jesus Christ? Are we now continuing down the path God desires for us to walk? When confronted with choices, is it obvious which direction we should go?

Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

When we trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, we are adopted into God’s Family and begin a journey which lasts the rest of our days. At the moment of Salvation God gives us His Spirit to guide us along His path; but many times when His Spirit calls, we’re too busy to listen – or we choose not to respond.

If we have entered onto God’s path and now desire to follow where He leads, we MUST make time to simply slow down and listen; “In repentance and rest is your Salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). Our eternal Salvation is a transformation which occurs in an instant, but the earthly joy of our Salvation is found in our daily repentance and quiet guidance from God – His presence is our only place of true peace.

The guiding voice of His Spirit still calls every day, but the competing noise is often so great that we stray from the path and become entangled in the weeds (and there is definitely no peace or contentment in the weeds!). Let’s get out of the weeds and continue on His path. Let’s set aside quiet time to listen for guidance – to hear which way to turn – and to simply rest in His loving arms. And let’s be determined to boldly follow when we hear His gentle voice calling, “This is the way, walk in it!”

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

EVERYONE needs encouragement. No matter how secure and confident someone may appear, everyone needs to be reassured, built up, and comforted. And we are all called to minister to one another, every day, with encouragement; “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

True encouragement requires us to be “others” oriented: “Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). We will never effectively encourage until we begin to look outside our own needs and intentionally examine the needs of others. And our encouragement of others will always be hindered unless we are genuinely excited by the new growth and health we see in others.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and glory.”

I was excited when each of my children learned to roll over, and I cheered when they began to crawl. When they started to walk I clapped my hands and beamed with pride, as if my kids were the first in the world to ever move about on two feet. Each small accomplishment was encouraged…and my manhood was never threatened by their progress. I wasn’t worried about losing my position within the family, and I had no desire to be the only walker in the house. Every time my children fell, I picked them up and encouraged them with full confidence of their future success.

Our journey with the Lord actually begins long before our day of Salvation as He calls us and draws us to the cross – we would never even seek if He didn’t first call and soften our heart. This part of the journey (the part which leads us to His secure arms of Salvation) may last MANY years and require encouragement from many different people. But as we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and continue our journey (with all the many hills and valleys), our walk is definitely much easier and enjoyable if we join with others and walk together.

Let’s encourage one another with each wonderful step toward Heavenly glory. Let’s be proud and excited for the accomplishments of others no matter how great or small. And let’s refuse to become threatened when we witness others mature and grow – we are absolutely secure in the love of God (and we really don’t want to be the only walker in His Family!). Let’s turn our hearts outward and begin to minister with a compassionate, loving, and secure attitude of encouragement.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

We have been given an incredible gift. Jesus Christ came into this world two thousand years ago to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin, and to bring us back into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus knew God’s plan of grace before the world was ever created; “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:9-10).

We are a fortunate people living in a uniquely blessed time; “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20). Through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, we can now “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrew 4:16), knowing we have been made clean and our relationship with God has been restored.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2
“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

I’ll say it again…we are a very fortunate people. Through no effort of our own, we have been born in a time where the “secret things of God” have been revealed. We have been given the opportunity to hear the full gospel message and believe. Thank You Lord!

But God has done more than just give us this opportunity to hear and believe, He has “entrusted” us with His message of Salvation. To prove faithful to His trust, we must live in a manner which holds up the gospel message for all to see. We are saved by a grace which cost God the death of His one and only Son. This grace must be cherished and honored with a life void of all compromise and hypocrisy. An understanding of His great love ought to cause us to surrender ALL and live each day to bring Him glory and honor.

Proving faithful to His trust also means we must confidently and accurately share His message of hope with all who cross our path. We must diligently study His Word and be prepared to share His grace through our words as well as our actions.

No matter how hard life may sometimes appear, we are truly blessed. We have been given a gift which can sustain us through our most difficult circumstances, and provide an eternal home filled with praise and worship. When the world beats us down, we can be encouraged that the Creator of the Universe believes in us. He has revealed His Son and made us stewards of His message of grace. Let’s live lives worthy of the trust we have been given. Let’s prove faithful to the great honor of being entrusted with His secret.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries