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As Paul was returning to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey, he already had a sense of where his next journey would lead; “after I have been there, I must visit Rome” (Acts 19:21). But he also knew he was about to face many difficulties; “in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me” (Acts 20:23). Paul was arrested less than ten days after arriving in Jerusalem. He probably didn’t realize it at the time, but his journey to Rome had just begun.

Paul’s journey to Rome would last about two and a half years and include many legal and physical trials – and many opportunities to demonstrate his faith in Jesus Christ. Surprisingly, it also included two long years where Paul had nothing to do but sit in prison and wait for an occasional visit with Governor Felix before being transferred to the courts of Rome.

Acts 24:25
“As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'”

This must have been a difficult time for someone accustomed to being so actively involved in ministry. Paul was treated well in this prison; but after receiving specific instructions to minister in Rome, two years must have felt like a painfully long time.

We’re never told of God’s reason for this waiting period. Many times, waiting is necessary to allow other events to occur and other people to be properly positioned. And many times, waiting is necessary because we need to better learn some of God’s truths…or we simply need a good rest.

Paul was about to face his most challenging journey and possibly his most significant ministry opportunity; “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). On his journey, Paul faced a severe storm, shipwreck, snakebite, and many threats on his life; but Paul was also given the opportunity to minister to the leaders of the Roman Empire.

Much of our own journey involves patience and learning how to trust and wait on God. Almost nothing seems to occur as fast as we would like: difficult situations take longer to resolve, people take longer to mature, and ministries take longer to grow. But our present circumstances always serve a purpose!

If we’ve earnestly sought God and not received specific direction, it’s possible we’re simply being told to wait – wait and be refreshed; wait and spend time abiding in His presence; wait…and prepare. Let’s continue to rejoice and learn to trust Him even more during our times of waiting.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Shiny Stones” we saw how we are often trapped by the seductive temptations of the world and kept from a truly free life – a life found only through complete surrender to Jesus; “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). This may seem a little radical – maybe only something for those “really serious” Christians – but God’s Word clearly sets this as the standard for all His children.

Matthew 10:38
“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”

Luke records similar words as Jesus spoke to a large crowd: “and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). Jesus also said that anyone who would come after Him must “take up his cross daily and follow” (Luke 9:23).

But what does it mean to take up our cross? I’ve heard people refer to a hardship or difficult situation as “my cross to bear,” but God’s Word contains no such reference. The cross has only one Biblical association: Death! The only time anyone would carry their cross was when they were about to die.

Yes, we are called to die. But the call is not to a physical death – this death will eventually come to us all, and there’s never a need to hasten its arrival. The call of Jesus is to a death of “self,” the old sinful nature with its evil desires, dreams, and ambitions: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).

We are called to a death which leads to true contentment and peace. But this death is not a one time event; we are called to die daily! And this death is never easy. Don’t be surprised when every day seems to breath life into our old nature – when we begin to talk, act, and think contrary to the way of Christ. When this occurs, simply praise God for the conviction of His Spirit, take up the cross once again, and continue to follow down His path.

As we “die” and completely surrender control to God, temptations of the world lose their pull and anxieties lose their source of concern. As we no longer live, we no longer focus on the cravings of our flesh nor about what tomorrow may or may not bring. As Christ lives in us, the enemy loses their ability to effectively attack – they are no longer attacking us but Christ…and He always wins!

Our call is to become a follower of Jesus Christ and be transformed into His image. But to follow we must die! Let’s become His worthy disciple as we love Him and trust Him with all our heart. Let’s set aside all that is not directed by God and take up our cross.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Preparing God’s People to Serve” we saw how Jesus set the example for ministry by equipping others to serve in His Kingdom. We also saw that each of us have been called to minister as we love Him and build up the body of Christ. Our specific roles in ministry may differ, but we have all been called and asked to be a part of His plan; we are all given the charge to tell others of the way to the Father through faith in Jesus. Paul calls this the ministry of reconciliation; “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

But ministry (in any form) can be difficult. There is more work to be done in the field than we can possibly accomplish – our “job” is never complete. This has the potential for great stress (and what we call “burnout”) if we don’t maintain a sense of our true purpose and an understanding of Who is really in charge.

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

A yoke is a dual harness used to attach oxen and plow fields. Jesus said to take up His yoke and join Him in working His field. He’s already pulling the load and wants us to attach ourselves to the other harness. As we do, we will discover a well-defined row in bad need of plowing. We will also find a load which is easy to bear.

But plowing can become tedious, so we often try to increase the pace. We look for ways to accomplish more and begin to see the many weeds scattered in other rows and other fields. In an attempt to pull as many weeds as possible, we begin to wander from our row and our load becomes increasingly heavy. We soon find we have unhitched from His yoke and are trying to pull the plow with our own strength – not a smart move!

More is not always better, and faster is not always the desired result. It’s interesting that Jesus said our main task as we take up His yoke is to “learn from Him.” It’s as if walking by His side is really enough; as if walking by His side IS our ministry. The field will still get plowed, but in the process we will be blessed with a closer and deeper relationship with the Son of God.

If our burden has become heavy – if we’re feeling weary and ready to quit – let’s determine if we are properly “hitched” to His yoke and aligned to His row. A heavy burden requires some adjustments – maybe an adjustment in attitude, maybe an adjustment in priority. Let’s ask our Heavenly Father for guidance and where to find rest for our soul. Let’s take up His yoke and remember: His burden is light!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

Waiting – this is sure a recurring theme in my life. We are often encouraged to patiently wait for God’s direction as well as for His rescue in the midst of our storms. We are reminded that God’s timing is always perfect and always with a purpose, and that He is faithful to work in our life according to His perfect plan. But let’s be honest, waiting is hard! Even when “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28), it’s still hard!

I’ve come to understand that God will always make His way clear. But I’ve also come to understand that His timing almost always requires more patience than what I’ve been given. When I gave my life to Jesus, He transformed me and gave me His Spirit to dwell within and produce fruit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” (Galatians 5:22-23). I know I have been given a certain measure of patience, but I sure need more!

Over the last twelve years, it seems that our family has been in a near continual search for God’s direction. I believe I was called to ministry work; however, I have never completely understood the extent of this call. I have continued to serve in this internet ministry, but the degree to which I should do things like travel to other countries, publish books, go to school, or commit to church ministry has never been real clear. Our entire family is prepared to follow, but clear direction has been lacking…and so we wait. The result has been that our eyes and thoughts are daily focused on Jesus waiting to see if the cloud will move as it did with the Israelites. And through the process we are learning the importance of patience.

James 5:7-8
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Notice that the farmer is waiting for things completely out of His control. He has done the work of plowing the ground and planting the seed; now He must wait for God to produce the crop.

No matter what your circumstances are today, if you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you can rest assured that He is at your side directing your steps. Sometimes God’s direction comes by way of outward events and changes we can see with our eyes, but often His direction comes in the form of inward changes and growth – such as more trust, more love…and more patience. Our “work” is to take each step He reveals and then wait for God to produce the crop as we love Him with all our heart.

Our family deeply appreciates your continued encouragement and prayers. Please continue to pray for the clarity of God’s direction and the boldness to follow where He leads. And as He brings us to your mind, please pray for a little more patience.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “The Pain of Separation” we considered the original relationship between God and man. This was the perfect relationship for which we were created; a relationship where we understand our form, sustenance, blessings, and direction as coming from God; a relationship where we walk in His intimate fellowship every moment of every day. We also saw the pain God must have felt when His beloved creation chose to walk away through disobedience – the sin of unbelief.

But praise God that He loves us so much that He immediately began to teach us how to return to His presence. From the faithful sacrifice of Abel to the protection of Noah and his family; from the calling of Abraham to the Law as given through Moses; from the message of repentance by the prophets to “the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord'” (John 1:23); and finally, from the teaching and sacrifice of Jesus to the exhortation of the apostles. All these point to God calling His children back to the intimate relationship for which we were created.

This first sin carried a punishment which still remains; “just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). We are all born with an unbelieving heart which must be made clean; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The real tragedy of the first sin is not that Adam and Eve were separated from God, but that we are ALL born into a condition of spiritual separation. But God wants us back, today!

Romans 5:8-10
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”

All of scripture is written for the purpose of restoring the relationship which sin destroyed; “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). The message is clear: return to God! Believe He sent His Son Jesus to die as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin and begin to walk in an intimate fellowship of obedience which is consistent with that belief. God sent His Son to die so we could be restored. This is the heart of a loving Father, to call His children home.

The enemy will try to deceive us into believing this relationship is no longer possible, but this is a lie!! Jesus came to restore what the enemy destroyed, and His restoration is made complete by grace through faith. The pain of separation does not need to continue. Let’s begin today to trust Him with all our heart and truly experience the joy of restoration.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

We often consider our need to be set free from the deceptive entanglements of the world. Whether this means the sinful temptations of the flesh, the misguided priorities of selfish ambition, or simply the vast number of trivial activities which consume our time, they all hinder our intimacy with God.

These “hindrances” of the world keep many unbelievers from knowing Jesus and coming to a saving faith in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. They also keep many believers from walking closer with God and glorifying His name. It’s no wonder Jesus says, in the strongest terms, that we must crucify the things of the flesh; “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Following Christ means to be “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) – a full and complete death of ALL which would pull us away!

But praise God this is not the end of the story. We are not simply called to the glum and dreary dead life so many Christians seem to be living – the life removed from the entanglements of the world but also removed from any and all form of joy. No, we have been called to much more; we have been called to a glorious new birth! We die so we can live in Christ and give Him full control to work in and through our life.

1 Peter 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Jesus came for the single purpose of dying on a cross for the forgiveness of our sin. But Jesus was not just crucified and buried…He rose!! His resurrection was God’s declaration to the world that Jesus was His Son (Romans 1:4); and it confirmed, with absolute assurance, the complete victory over sin and death. This life of crucifixion and victorious resurrection is the full life to which we have been invited.

We have unquestionably been called to take up our cross and follow Jesus up the hill to die. We must put to death our sinful desires as well as all selfish dreams and ambitions. But we must never remain locked inside a dark and lonely tomb. Though it is often a painful process (Jesus experienced GREAT pain in His death) we must persevere through death to be resurrected into a living hope in Christ; “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6). We must truly rise and be born again.

Let’s begin to walk as a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and declare to the world through our joy and peace that we are a child of God. Let’s arise with new desires and dreams – those formed in our heart by a loving and gracious Father – and live by the guiding power of His Spirit. Let’s praise Him all of our days as we joyfully live the resurrected life.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries