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In the message “Remain Like a Child” we considered our need to come to our Heavenly Father with an understanding that we have no ability to save ourselves. We then saw our call to continually approach God like a little child approaching a loving Father; “whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

But, we say, surely God doesn’t want us to remain as a child. Doesn’t He want us to grow? Absolutely! Paul addressed the Corinthian church as worldly rather than spiritual because they were “mere infants in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). The church was experiencing many trials because they had failed to grow: “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:2).

God’s Word never calls us to maintain the faith or spiritual understanding of a child. These simple qualities are important, but we must continually grow and send down deep roots which will weather the storm. What we are called to maintain is the simple humility of a child. We must learn to be secure in our Father’s hand and to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), but we must never let our confidence and security lead to an ungrateful assumption of His grace. We initially came to God weak and helpless; and no matter how much we grow – no matter how deep our roots – we remain weak and unable to add a single grain to the grace which He has poured over us.

But our weakness is good! In fact, an understanding of our weakness apart from Christ and our continued walk of weakness is one of the few offerings we can give to our Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10
“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ …That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God has chosen to unfold His plan through the lives of His children. We are to reflect the light of Christ into a dark and lifeless world; “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). And the world will best see Christ as we remove our own perceived strength and allow the power of God to freely work through us. His power is made perfect as I get my “self” out of the way and walk with a humble weakness.

It’s interesting that one of the greatest things we can give to God is an understanding of what we do not have. Let’s strip away our pride and once again approach Him with empty hands. Let’s offer our lives as a living sacrifice, as a humble sacrifice of weakness.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

After the birth of Jesus, Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). When King Herod heard about this he became greatly disturbed. Herod had been appointed King of the Jews by the Roman government; but he was only partially Jewish and not well accepted by the people.

King Herod knew of the Jewish scriptures and how the people were waiting for the Messiah; “The government will be on His shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6). He heard the words of the prophet which told where the new ruler would be born; “Out of you {Bethlehem} will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2). Herod viewed the news of this new ruler as a great threat. How would this affect his right to be king? Would he lose power? prestige? control? …comfort!? The potential harm was unbearable so Herod decided to take action.

Matthew 2:16
“He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under.”

Many people today are not much different than Herod. Even when they recognize Jesus and clearly see their need, they fear losing the ability to direct their own path. They may not actually take steps to destroy Christ, but the thought of releasing control seems unbearable. Somehow, they’ve been taught that submission equates to failure. But the reality is that true “success” is only found in Christ, and true comfort is only obtained by being set free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.

Jesus was, and always will be, very threatening to those who insist on sitting on a throne. It’s foolishness to think Jesus will accept the position of Co-King. Those who attempt to enter a relationship with Jesus while trying to maintain their “right to rule” will never really know Him, and certainly never experience His peace.

Jesus will give Himself to “whoever believes in Him” (John 3:13). But in return, He asks for our total devotion: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We give Him proper worship – the worship He deserves – only as we submit and exalt Him above all else; “He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30).

As we get ready to begin this new year, let’s ensure our relationship with Jesus is aligned with God’s plan. He is the rightful Ruler and King – the Savior and Lord! Let’s trust and worship Him with all our heart, and refuse to be threatened by His right to lead. Let’s decide once and for all to relinquish control and get our pride-filled self off the throne.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

Last year, many of you read about our family traveling around the country. We spent four wonderful months on the road and returned in early December. Right before Christmas I sent out a version of this message which included the following sentence:

“We really have no idea what our life will look like in a few months; but, at least right now, we’re content to wait and continue to do the things we know we have already been given to do.”

I can’t help but smile when I read this. We did indeed wait; and life, during this year, didn’t turn out anything like what we expected. We had a great year (I’ll give more of an update next week) but we now find ourselves in a similar situation of waiting.

Our “get-it-now” society doesn’t prepare us very well for waiting. Many around the world have a different concept of time and seem to live a much more relaxed and patient life, but most of us are taught from birth the science of immediate gratification. We want, we get; we want some more, we get some more. Accomplishment is defined by running and spinning; but the result is usually just a spinning out of control.

Our world hasn’t always been this way. There was a time long ago when people truly knew how to wait on the Lord.

Joseph and Mary were devout Jews who followed the laws of Moses. Therefore, forty days after Jesus was born they “took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). This was done in recognition of God’s command, “The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me” (Exodus 13:2). They also offered a sacrifice as a burnt offering and sin offering, “a pair of doves and two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24).

This was the process all Jews followed when a child was born. But when Joseph and Mary entered the temple court, holding the baby Jesus, something stirred in a man called Simeon.

Luke 2:25-26
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Simeon approach Joseph and Mary, held Jesus and gave a wonderful praise and prophesy. But let’s not miss what was said about this man called Simeon. He was devoted to God, and he was waiting. How long was he willing to wait? Well, the only time frame he was given was that he would have his answer sometime before he died. He did not know if this would mean days, months, or many years, but he was willing to wait.

We need to regain this ability, this trust which is content to wait for God’s direction. The promises of God are that He will reveal His direction, He will lead, comfort, and “renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31), but we must be willing to wait and continue to do what we know we have already been given to do. During this Christmas season, let’s renew our trust in the God who has so perfectly revealed Himself through the birth of Jesus. Let’s commit to following Him all our days and be determined to trust Him through a lifetime of waiting.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In our celebration of the birth of Christ, we know the focus of Christmas must always be on remembering the eternal gift given through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This season ought to irresistibly draw us near to God as we reflect on His gift of love.

The birth of Jesus gives great insight into the character of God. For one, we see His methods are far different from our own; “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). How many of us would bring the King of Kings into the world through two common young people in a dirty stable? But God had a purpose!

These lowest of beginnings set the example for a life of humility. Jesus Christ is the Creator of the Universe! “For by Him all things were created” (Colossians 1:16). Yet, He humbled Himself to the point of being born with the animals, and continued by humbly walking all the way to the cross.

As we reflect on His humility, how can we then make prideful demands on life? How can we assume there is a standard to which we are entitled? Jesus set the standard for humility and we are now called to follow; “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

But perhaps the greatest insight we can learn from the birth of our Savior is simply that He came. Our sin must have been detestable and vile to One so holy, but He came to live with us…and love us! Without Jesus Christ, we have absolutely no hope – we can do nothing to save ourselves from the bondage of sin and an eternal separation from God. We can do nothing, yet God made the first move to set us free. He took the initiative in our Salvation by providing a way and calling us Home.

1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”

God clearly saw our sinful condition; and yet, He loved us enough to send His Son so we might be restored to a right relationship with Him. He sent His Son so we might live! God made the first move 2000 years ago and He continues to make the first move in our lives today. He calls long before we even recognize His voice, and He continues to call us to surrender our life and live with Him in a deeper and more intimate relationship.

If you hear His call today, please respond! It’s a great privilege to hear His call, so be encouraged…but then respond! His call cost Him dearly, and it represents a love we will never fully understand. Let’s boldly answer and follow wherever He leads. And remember, He loved us enough to make the first move.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Step Toward Jesus” we were encouraged to examine the motivation for the things we do, and exhorted to do ALL things for the love of being closer to Jesus. This is the essence of our relationship with our Father – simple, but absolute love.

When a young child wants to be held, they simply reach up their arms and say, “Hold me!” Children may be hurt, scared, or tired; they may not even know why they want to be held, but they know that spending time in arms of love seems to make everything better.

And as a parent looks down at their child, they rarely evaluate them to determine if they deserve to be held, or send them away to earn affection. Rather, they simply pick up the child and hold them with no words even being required. In truth, moments like this bring parents some of their greatest joy!

Matthew 18:3
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Our Heavenly Father loves us very much! He wants us to come to Him with outstretched arms. He wants to pick us up and hold us tight. In truth, moments like this bring His greatest joy! And yet, we spend most of our days avoiding our Father’s loving arms. We seek other forms of comfort and work to earn our Father’s affection. We pour our heart into projects thinking they are vitally important to God’s work; “Daddy, look what I made for You!” But our best efforts are as grade school pencil holders and disfigured flower pots. Our Father smiles at these simple gifts but wishes we would understand.

There’s much work to do for the Kingdom of God, but none more important than loving and being loved by the One who has loved us since the beginning of time; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

This can be a difficult concept for many who have not grown up with the unconditional love and acceptance of an earthly father – but our Father in Heaven is like none we’ve ever known. He created us for a relationship of love and “gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16) so we could be restored to the relationship which sin stole away. Let there be no doubt of His love and His promise; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

He longs for us to return! Yes, we must clean our room, take out the trash, and treat others nice on the playground – but at the end of the day, His greatest desire is that we reach up with empty arms and say: I love You Daddy…hold me!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries