you—god’s special creation

You—God’s special creation

My husband’s family sends texts to each other from 7:00 a.m. until midnight.

Yes, really. And it’s so good to see them connected and encouraging one

another. My family is still doing emails. We haven’t started texting yet!

My brother, Roger sent me the following email, and it resonated with me, and

so many of my friends.

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn’t

supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart

broken probably more than once and it’s harder every time. You’ll

break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You’ll fight with your best friend. You’ll blame a new love for things an

old one did. You’ll cry because time is passing too fast, and you’ll

eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you’ve

never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a

minute of happiness you’ll never get back.

Don’t be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never

begin.

Live simply, love generously. Care deeply, speak kindly. Leave the rest

to God. You can count on Him.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

You can go to Him for anything, and He is always there, always the same,

always loving and caring for you.

Tom and Gloria Ward

Editors

www.partnersinministry.org

Monday, April 7, 2014

LifegoingDEEP

Genesis 1:1, 26-28

A Full LifeWhat are you doing with your life? Would you say that you’re productive andfulfilled? If not, it’s up to you to do something about it. Don’t live a stagnant life;live it to the fullest.

…God created the earth and all that is in it, and then he created us. Hecreated us in his image, and we were designed to do basically the thingsthat he does, just in much smaller measures. We are designed to dream upnew things, be creative, work hard, rest, celebrate, know things, makechoices, love each other, and do all sorts of things that He does. We are toact like him; that is what it means to be in his image or likeness.

We are to be productive, and like him, we are always to ask how we cancontribute to making every situation better. Whatever relationship, job,family, city, or church we find ourselves in, we are to be working to redeemit, bringing light and healing into darkness and sickness.

God did not put us on earth to fail to reflect his likeness. We turn our backson his purpose for creating us if we do not reflect his nature. He did notintend for us to be misfits. He did not plan for us to sit back and allow life tofollow the course of least resistance, becoming miserable, oppressive, unjust,full of mistakes, unloving, poverty stricken, ugly, lazy, negative, and evilwithout moving to do something about it. Such passivity is as far fromreflecting the image of God as one could imagine. To the degree that weallow life just to happen and are not active forces to change whateversituation we find ourselves in, we are not living up to our true humanity byreflecting God’s nature. And that may be the reason you are stuck and notgetting to where you want to be.

So get with the program! Be who God created you to be. Get active….Getmoving and do something! (Cloud, Henry. 9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in

Love and Life. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2004.)

dwel l ingPOINT: Genes i s 1 :27 GW/TEW, Sr.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

LifegoingDEEP

Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 John 5:19-20

Don’t Lose Hope

dwel l ingPOINT: Genes i s 1 :27

Maybe it’s happened to you; you’ve lost all hope. You know God loves you, butyou’re still in the black hole of despair. Perhaps your expectations of what yourlife would be like is bringing you down, making you sad, crushing your hopesand dreams.

Has a darkness descended upon you because of financial insecurity, sickness, abroken marriage or some major change in your life? Don’t lose all hope! God’splan for you is bigger than your problem. He can give you back your hopefulness,and sense of optimism about life.

Amy Carmichael, missionary to India from 1895 to 1951, rescued children inIndia who were “married” to the Hindu gods—actually young girls (5 years old)became the priests’ own “wife.” Amy gave these children hope; she introducedthem to Jesus Christ. The following letter is to one of the young girls sherescued—it also has a message for you, if you have lost hope.

You have given me starry joy. When I gave you your name (Star) I prayedthat you might grow up to be a star in this dark world, and now you arelearning some of the wonder of the stars. Do you know that Venus is alwayscovered with cloud and mist, and that it is the light shining on the mist whichmakes it look so beautiful? Isn’t this a figure of the true?

Sometimes what feels like a cloud and mist is allowed to come and seems tocover us. But it doesn’t matter. If only the sun of the love of the Lord shinesupon us, the very mist and cloud will be turned to beauty.

Isn’t it wonderful to think that all the Bible people and our Lord Himselflooked at those very same stars and constellations? The first time I realizedthat, I gazed and gazed at the shining worlds.

And another wonderful thing is that the stars are shining all day long,passing over our heads by day as by night—only we can’t see them till it isdark. There is a lovely meaning in that, but I leave you to find it out foryourself. (Carmichael, Amy. Candles in the Dark. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian

Literature Crusade, 1988.)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

LifegoingDEEPProverbs 2:1-13

Overdoing itHave you ever felt responsible for everyone and everything? After 42 years ofpreaching, I’ve seen the negative effects upon the life of someone who is living to takeresponsibility for others, constantly rescuing them from some so-called catastrophe.

I’m not talking about a real life-or-death situation. I’m talking about everydaymatters. An example is Kari who is a mature, hard-working adult. She knew thather brother, who has been on and off of drugs, took her credit card. She wasshocked when she got the bill: $9,757.00. Yet, she didn’t take the card fromhim. I told her to get it—and fast! She didn’t get it; she told me he’d pay it. Hedidn’t. She took all the calls from the credit company and settled the dispute forhim; she paid the bill by taking out a loan which she will pay. He is scot-free.She will be paying for a long time. He will learn nothing from this.

This scenario can be played out with parent-child, husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriendand many other relationships. You might be the taker in this drama, or you mightbe the one who does too much. What can be done if you are the one who givestoo much? The basis for making firm, positive, and self-governing decisions

is asking and determining the answer to this crucial question: Lord, what doYou want me to do? Don’t assume that the Lord always wants you to rescue,help, and/or control people. His primary concern is that we renounceidolatrous behavior in our relationships; that we stop trying to please othersin an attempt to gain security and worth from them instead of from Him.When we are independent from the control of others, then we are open tothe Lord’s wisdom and direction.

With the Lord’s direction and strength, we need to take responsibility for ourown lives. If we have been passive, we need to take steps of action. If wehave been driven, we need to learn to say no to some things, even if othersdon’t understand or approve. If we have been saviors, we need to let othersexperience the consequences of their behavior. Develop a healthy independencefrom the bondage of pleasing others and a godly dependence on the love,wisdom and strength of the Lord. This process begins when we ask the crucialquestion, Lord, what do You want me to do? (Springle, Pat. A Christian Perspective:Codependency. Dallas, Texas: Rapha Publishing, 1990.)


Thursday, April 10, 2014

LifegoingDEEP

Acts 15:36-41

Conflicts


Why do we have conflicts? Every single person who is reading this has had adisagreement. But—have you ever disagreed with someone at church? It mighthave been over something small; it might have been a whopping dispute, butnevertheless you were hurt and now you feel like withdrawing.

Is your situation fixable? It is if you’re willing to be open, and willing tocooperate with the other person. It’s fixable if you check your own heart motivesthat are causing such a heated difference of opinion. It can be mended if yousearch the Scriptures and ask God for help, and ask the Holy Spirit to comealongside of you in this disagreement. We need to do this because

We are fallible human beings and there are times when, despite our best efforts,our own prejudices and fears keep us from a Spirit-led unity. Sometimes wesimply see things differently. Paul and Barnabas, for example, could not agreeon whether to take John Mark with them on their second missionary journey.Luke says “a sharp contention” developed between them (Acts 15:39). Weshould not be surprised if we have the same experience in our ministry efforts.

If this happens, my counsel is that we be kind to each other. Ministry teamsat times do part ways, and churches at times do split. Let us pray for eachother and ask God’s blessing upon one another. Let us have the confidenceof the apostle Paul that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, “Christis proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).

Dallas Willard states, “The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons, with Himself included in thatcommunity as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.” Such acommunity lives under the immediate and total rulership of the Holy Spirit.They are a people blinded to all other loyalties by the splendor of God, acompassionate community embodying the law of love as seen in Jesus Christ.(Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1978.)

Could you do your best to repair the break in your relationship? This can bedone with the help of the Lord whom you serve.

Friday, April 11, 2014

LifegoingDEEP

John 13:21-22, 26-30

Would You Betray Christ?Have you ever been totally disappointed in yourself because you knew you hadbetrayed Christ? We’ve all done this, and I’m sure you’ve felt appalled by thecoldness of your heart, and by the revolting reality of your sin.

I still wonder how Judas could have betrayed Christ in such a shocking, cold-hearted way. He had to have a heart of stone, after being with Jesus for threeyears. After knowing that He loved him, He still decided to betray his Lord; hechose to do it. We do the same thing when we decide to betray Christ, and itcan happen to any of us.

When it comes to betrayal, our external façade is irrelevant, regardless ofposition, honor, gifts, or capabilities. It doesn’t matter whether people lookup to you and applaud your achievements. Betraying Christ is always aboutwhat’s going on in the unseen world of our hearts. Whether we betray Himin small or big ways, whether we have a high profile or are relativelyunnoticed, it’s always the same. It never becomes obvious until we have firstcompromised our hearts.

I recently shared the platform at a Bible Conference in Hong Kong with oneof Great Britain’s most brilliant and gifted expositors. He had emerged asthe leader of the new generation of evangelicals in the United Kingdom.

You can imagine my disbelief a few months later when I learned that mypartner in ministry in Hong Kong had left his wife, his family, and his church.He had left them to be with the young man he traveled with. Just afterhearing the sad news, I opened the London Times to see a large picture ofhim and a headline story of his departure from his home and ministry. Hehad not only betrayed his wife and those who trusted and followed hisministry, but now he had publicly defamed Christ and the cause that he hadserved so effectively.

None of us is exempt from cultivating a heart condition on the inside thatwill inevitably show up on the outside in tragic ways. Some of us havealready betrayed Christ in our hearts. The outward expression of thatbetrayal is not the first and foremost act. Betrayal is an attitude formed andframed on the inside. Judas had decided to betray Jesus long before heacted on the attitude of his heart. (Stowell, Joseph M. Loving Christ. Grand Rapids,Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.)

Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23).


Saturday, April 12, 2014

LifegoingDEEP

Jeremiah 31:3; Jude 24

God Loves You


God loves you. It’s as simple as that. Do you believe it, or do you have momentsof doubt, maybe even distrust?

So the love of the God who is spirit is no fitful, fluctuating thing, as the loveof man is, nor is it mere impotent longing for things that may never be; it is,rather, a spontaneous determination of God’s whole being in an attitude ofbenevolence and benefaction, an attitude freely chosen and firmly fixed.There are no inconsistencies or vicissitudes in the love of the almighty Godwho is spirit. His love is ‘strong as death…many waters cannot quench it(Song, 8:6 f.) Nothing can separate from it those whom it has onceembraced (Romans 8:35-39).

God’s love to sinners involves His identifying Himself with their welfare. Suchan identification is involved in all love: it is, indeed, the test of whether loveis genuine or not. If a father continues cheerful and carefree while his son isgetting into trouble, or if a husband remains unmoved when his wife is indistress, we wonder at once how much love there can be in their relationship,for we know that those who truly love are only happy when those whom theylove are truly happy also. So it is with God in His love for man.

…God’s end in all things is His own glory—that He should be manifested,known, admired, and adored. This statement is true, but it is incomplete. Itneeds to be balanced by recognition that through setting His love on menGod has voluntarily bound up His own final happiness with theirs. It is notfor nothing that the Bible habitually speaks of God as the loving Father andHusband of His people. It follows from the very nature of these relationshipsthat God’s happiness will not be complete till all His beloved ones are finallyout of trouble….

…He has set His love upon particular sinners, and this means that, by Hisown free voluntary choice, He will not know perfect and unmixed happinessagain till He has brought every one of them to heaven. He has in effectresolved that henceforth for all eternity His happiness shall be conditionalupon ours. (Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1973.)

JOURNALING YOUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS


Hours of DarknessgoingDEEP

Matthew 26:46-56

BetrayalJesus knew all that was about to happen to Him and He still looked for theopportunity to obey His Father and bring Him glory.

Jesus endured many trials and heartaches the night prior to His crucifixion. Hewas rejected, mocked, betrayed, whipped, blasphemed, forsaken, falselyaccused, and finally put to death. In the history of the world, there has neverbeen another night like it. You and I cannot even conceive of all that Christ wentthrough during His night of trials.

The Son of God, pure and holy, suffered the trials and became “obedient untodeath, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

While we cannot ever compare to the agonizing trials that Jesus sufferedthrough, we will face trials in our own lives. No one is immune to the nights ofdespair or depression. Some of you who are reading this have lived through thepain of rejection or false accusation. Some of you have had a “friend” like JudasIscariot, who forsook you, or worse, yet, betrayed you for personal gain. It hurts.

Even though Jesus knew Judas was betraying Him, He called him “Friend”(v. 50). How difficult that would be! Yet Jesus did it from a heart filled with love.This term of endearment towards Judas shows God’s real attitude toward allsinners (John 3:16).

It was not easy for Jesus to bear all that He faced in His hours of darkness, butHe did it willingly. Jesus said that He had to drink from the cup which His Fathergave Him (John 18:11). Because of His obedience, we have the promise ofeternal life! It doesn’t mean that life here on earth will always be simple, easyand satisfying. You will face the “night” of difficulties in your life; but you havethe Bible promises throughout the Word of God; you have the help you need tomake it through your particular night of trials.

Morning is coming and the darkness of the night will fade. Though you will facetrials in life, you know God’s richest blessings will soon appear with the dawningof a new and better day.

You have Jesus who has given you a new birth, a living hope through His resurrec -tion (1 Peter 1:3). His love for you is unequaled; you can trust Him to get youthrough the night.

dwel l ingPOINT: 1 Pe te r 1 :3 GAW



John 18:12-14, 19-24

Dark Nights

dwel l ingPOINT: 1 Pe te r 1 :3

Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest. He was also a high priestfor a time, but even though he did not retain the position, he did remain a man ofpower and prestige behind the scenes, and had ties with the Roman government.This is why Christ is initially brought to Annas. He is to have the honor of firstseeing the “prize” finally caught. There is no judgment towards Christ at thehouse of Annas; only gloating and pride are unleashed upon the Lord.

Christ’s answer to the high priest’s question in verses 19-21 is meaningful. His answersshow that He is insinuating that His judges are using illegal proceedings against Him;after all, He never did anything in secret. In essence, when Jesus asked why theywere questioning Him, He is showing them that He knows they have pridefullycondemned His doctrine (v. 21). He is also declaring, Must I condemn myself?

In verse 22 we see what happened to Jesus after He answered the high priest’squestion. A prisoner, before he is condemned, is considered to be under the specialprotection of justice, and no one has a right to touch him. And yet this officer struckJesus. This was just the beginning of the agony that Jesus went through for us.

Think about the arrogant officer who hit Jesus. He did it to gain favor with thehigh priest. This made me think—have I ever hurled verbal attacks on someonebecause I wanted to gain favor with another? Have I ever been untrue to myselfin this way? Worse, have I ever been unfaithful to Jesus in this way? Jesus’reaction was one of meekness and patience; He is a model for us (v. 23).

Haven’t you stood in the face of opposition? Of course, you haven’t had towithstand all that Jesus did, but there will be times when you’ll stand face-to-facewith someone who has won a victory over you. Stand firm! These victors takepride in their triumph, but unknown to them, it is no real victory at all, or at bestonly a temporary one. Maybe you have endured the dark night of being theoutcast because of your belief in Jesus Christ. Be assured that God sees yoursuffering and has a deep, abiding love for you.

There will be many other dark nights, but the grand and glorious morning iscoming when all things that are wrong will be made right.



Matthew 26:57-68

Standing Before CaiaphasAfter releasing the captured Christ, Annas sent Him to Caiaphas, in whose housewere gathered the rulers of Israel. The “scribes and the elders,” called the greatSanhedrin, who were the Supreme Court of Israel, consisting of 71 members,presided over by the high priest (vv. 57, 59). They were ready to condemn andconvict Christ to death. These were men who were willfully blind to the truth. InJesus’ case, the men who were trying Him were the same ones who hadconspired against Him. (See John 11:47-50.)

They refused to evaluate the evidence of the three-year ministry of Christ, theScriptures, or Christ’s personal testimony. They cruelly, callously rejected Him andplanned His demise with every ploy possible, from trying Him at night (whichwas illegal) to having false witnesses.

As a Christian, you have a major responsibility to witness for the Lord. You reallyshould proclaim your belief in salvation through Christ by your actions as well asyour words. But as you try to explain Christ’s love to others, you will find thosewho are hard-hearted, and have predetermined that they want nothing to do withChrist. Under such circumstances, you should never feel personal rejection. Theyaren’t rejecting you, but rather your Lord. Jesus Himself “came unto his own, andhis own received him not” (John 1:11). When rejection, even by your loved ones,brings the darkness of night, keep praying and know that the dawn is justbeyond the darkest hour.

• In what ways do people still reject Christ today? In what ways could we try toreach them?

• How does prophecy of the coming Messiah in Isaiah 53:3 describe Jesus?

• What did Jesus teach the disciples before His death (Mark 8:31)?

• Read Matthew 26:67 again. Think about how Jesus was treated; be thankfulthat He loved you enough to go to the cross for you.




John 18:28-37; John 19:1-16

Standing Before Pilate


The ordeal at the house of Caiaphas lasted all through the night. Near dawn,Jesus was led to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. In the gospel of John, wefind that Pilate and Christ went in and out of the judgment hall seven times. Thisis exactly what happened:

• Pilate comes out to meet Christ (John 18:28-32).• Pilate brings Christ inside to question Him (John 18:33-38a).• Pilate brings Christ outside to the now gathering crowd and declares Him

innocent. The crowd wants Barabbas. Pilate washes his hands of the deed(John 18:38-40).

• Pilate brings Christ inside to scourge Him. The soldiers beat Christ and placethe crown of thorns upon Him (John 19:1-3).

• Pilate brings Christ outside a second time to the crowd, who again rejectsHim (John 19:4-7).

• Pilate brings Christ inside to question Him about the allegations that He is theSon of God (John 19:8-11).

• Pilate brings Christ outside for the last time, where He is led away to becrucified (John 19:12-16).

Pilate had Jesus “scourged” or flogged (19:1). Scourging was a violently cruelact in which the victim was stripped, tied to a post, and beaten by several menwho alternated when exhausted. The beatings were so brutal that the body couldbe torn or lacerated to such an extent that muscles, veins or bones were exposed.Such flogging often preceded execution in order to weaken and dehumanize thevictim (Isaiah 53:5).

When Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, he dramatically says, “Behold the man!”(19:5). Jesus would have been swollen and bruised with blood dripping all overhis body. Pilate displayed Jesus as a beaten and pitiable man, hoping the peoplewould release Him. Pilate’s phrase is filled with sarcasm since He was trying toimpress upon the Jewish authorities that Jesus was not the treacherous man thatthey had made Him out to be.

Despite all this, we know it is Christ who had the final victory!

When I read all that Jesus went through, the night of trials, the hours of darknessand wickedness He endured, I can only bow before Him and thank Him forloving every one of us so much.



John 19:16-30

Standing Before GodChrist stands before God. The final, most humiliating, and unbearable trial forJesus came not before men, but before His Father. It was upon the cross that theLord Jesus Christ was rejected by His own eternal Father, because it was therethat the sins of the world were placed upon Him, and there He would face death.

He who was innocent became guilty in the sight of God. He who knew no sinbecame sin for us. He who was always in fellowship with His Father found itbroken. In utter despair and sorrow, Jesus asked God why He had forsaken Him(Mark 15:34).

I came across this distressing, moving, heartrending piece about Jesus’crucifixion:

Jesus was made to lie on the ground while his arms were stretched out andnailed to the horizontal beam that He carried. The beam was then hoistedup along with the victim, and fastened to the vertical beam. His feet werenailed to the vertical beam to which sometimes was attached a piece ofwood that served as a kind of seat and partially supported the weight of thebody. The latter, however, was designed to prolong and increase the agony,not relieve it. Having been stripped naked and beaten, Jesus could hang inthe hot sun for hours if not days. To breathe, it was necessary to push withthe legs and pull with the arms, creating excruciating pain. Terrible musclespasms wracked the entire body; but since collapse meant asphyxiation, thestruggle for life continued. (John MacArthur)

When Jesus knew that all things were “now accomplished,” He willingly gave upHis life, saying, “It is finished” (vv. 28-30). Redemption was complete; it waspaid in full by a Savior who gave His life so that we could have eternal life.

Take some time to meditate on all that Jesus did for you. Take inventory of yourlife: are you living it for His honor and glory? Or are you living in a pessimisticpattern: whining, complaining, and unthankful? Ask God to help you live atriumphant life. He gave his all so you could have it all.




1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

In the Morning…


Philip Yancey describes a unique funeral custom conducted by African Muslims.Close family and friends circle the casket and quietly gaze at the corpse. Nosinging. No flowers. No tears. A peppermint candy is passed to everyone. At asignal, each one puts the candy in his or her mouth. When the candy is gone, eachparticipant is reminded that life for this person is over. They believe life simplydissolves. (Yancey, Philip. Where is God When It Hurts? Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1997.)

We have Jesus; we have the promise of heaven after death—that is our morning.Life doesn’t simply dissolve, or end for the Christian; it is never-ending.

Amy Carmichael (1867-1951), the great missionary who saved children fromchild abuse practiced in the Hindu temple, wrote about the death of one of thechildren. She told of a girl named Lulla who had a “dangerous illness.”

The child was in pain, struggling for breath, turning to us for what we couldnot give. I left her with Mabel Wade and Ponnammal, and, going to a sideroom, cried to our Father to take her quickly.

I was not more than a minute away, but when I returned she was radiant.Her little lovely face was lighted with amazement and happiness. She waslooking up and clapping her hands as delighted children do. When she sawme she stretched out her arms and flung them round my neck, as thoughsaying Good-bye, in a hurry to be gone; then she turned to the others in thesame eager way, and then again, holding out her arms to Someone whomwe could not see, she clapped her hands.

Had only one of us seen this thing we might have doubted. But we all threesaw it. There was no trace of pain in her face. She was never to taste ofpain again….

We looked where she was looking, almost thinking that we should see what shesaw. What must the fountain of joy be if the spray from the edge of the poolcan be like that? When we turned the next bend of the road, and the sorrowthat waited there met us, we were comforted, words cannot tell how tenderly,by this that we had seen when we followed the child almost to the border ofthe Land of Joy. (Skoglund, Elizabeth. Amma. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1994.)

For the Christian, grief is hard to bear, but we have hope in knowing we will seeour loved ones again and be together for all eternity (vv. 13-18).


Love is the GluegoingDEEP

1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 13:1-2

All You Need is LoveShakespeare penned over 154 sonnets, many of them on the topic of love.Countless movies tell love stories. Fiction writers put pen to paper about theglories and tragedies of love. I’m not a baby-boomer, but even I remember thesong from the 1960s, “All You Need is Love,” written by John Lennon.

Love is a big deal, any way you cut it. But we’re not going to spend this week talkingabout or defining love, but rather understanding this chapter of the Bible—1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the “love chapter.” To understand Paul’s ode tolove, we need to understand its context. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, awildly immoral city. There have been all kinds of craziness going on in the church.In one case, a man was sleeping with his mother. Now, some of the people in thechurch were moral—some weren’t. The Scripture indicates that even though theystruggled with huge moral problems, those that were honorable had tremendous giftsof the Spirit. Needless to day, Corinth needed a pretty serious talking to; they neededto be reminded about their job as a community of believers. They lacked spiritualgraces and they needed to realize why love is so important in the Christian life.

Chapter 12 of the book is dedicated to describing the multiple spiritual gifts, howthey are to be used within the body, and how the body is to be united, for allgifts come from one Giver. Likewise, there are many distinct parts to the church,but one body. No one part is any better than another, just different. Whatinevitably happens when you have a lot of different people with different gifts inone place is division. By that, I mean people make factions, and pull away fromothers. People with some gifts think theirs are better than others. The antidote tothis is love. Spiritual gifts without love are worthless. What good are all the gifts,if we have no love for one another? If we pursue love first, then the gifts will beadded later. Love is the ultimate because it lasts forever. Think of yourself; areyou a part of your church’s love link to Jesus?

• When you think of your church, what gifts do you see operating in them?Which one of those gifts do you possess?

• After reading through 1 Corinthians 13, do you see love in your church?Where is it most present? Where is it most absent?

dwel l ingPOINT: 1 Cor in th ians 13:13 PJ



1 Corinthians 12:11-31; 13:1-3

Less Talk, More Action

dwel l ingPOINT: 1 Cor in th ians 13:13

Understanding chapter 12 is vital to understand the overture, or introduction, ofchapter 13. There were divisions concerning the gifts. Paul starts right out sayingthat even if he could speak in heavenly languages (a pretty nifty trick!), if he iswithout love, then it’s just noise. Even if he could see way into the future andcause amazing miracles to happen by the power of his faith, if he has no love inhis heart, it is completely pointless. Even if he gave all his possessions away andallowed himself to suffer for Jesus, without love, there’s no victory in it. Even if hewent so far as to give his body to be burned—if he is devoid of love—nothingwill be gained. This is because God is love (1 John 4:8). In this case, love is bothan object (God) and an action.

Paul is saying here that we may have spiritual “talent” coming out the ears, but it isGod’s love that takes the gift and uses it to draw others to the Giver. If we’re obsessedwith the gift only, we’re focused on the wrong thing. Rather, be obsessed andconsumed with love for the Giver. After all, He gives us good gifts (Matthew 7:11).

We’ll look at some of the attributes of love that Paul was thinking about next, butit’s important to point out that love is a corrective force within the body. Loveshould be a filter through which all of our actions are sifted. Our love can’t bemeasured by actions alone. Our motives have to be evaluated in order todetermine the most loving thing to do in any situation. We need to think aboutour heart’s intent. The question we ought to be asking ourselves over and over is,“Is what I am about to say/do the most loving thing in this situation?”

I’m glad I asked that question in one particular case. I completely disagreed withsomeone in church about a situation, but I chose not to say anything. I wasn’tsure of my heart’s intent, and I knew I would be too blunt. Then she e-mailed meand asked me what my thoughts were. I was able to be loving and sincere as Itold her what I thought. She initially disagreed with me, but then she thoughtabout it and told me she decided to “receive my thoughts on the matter” becauseshe “felt my love for her.” That was five years ago and we’re the best of friends!

• Substitute every time you see charity in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 with God. Can yousee how it is pretty much impossible to do good in God’s kingdom without love?

• How would your actions change if they were filtered through love for theGiver of all gifts?



1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23

Love InteractsGod is love. I know I’ve already said that this week, and I guarantee I’ll say itagain. And so, I ask you, how are you acting?

Another useful way of applying these characteristics is by comparing them withthe fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). If we act in a loving manner, asdescribed in this chapter, we will inevitably grow the fruit of the Spirit. Noticethat love is listed first! That’s because it’s the greatest quality because it mostclearly reflects the character of God. Again, I ask you, are you living a life oflove—or do you cause division and strife at work, at home, at church?

Carefully read the rest of Galatians 5:22-23 and ask yourself if you possess joy,peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. It’sa daunting list, but with the help of God, you really can acquire these qualities.These are “love” traits. For example, how could “longsuffering” or patience, helpin your everyday life? What about “temperance” which is self-control? Whywould having a spirit of meekness be better than arrogance?

ALL of the attributes listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 involve “love” in interactionwith an object. This love is defined by how we interact with others. That leavesvery little room for selfish ambition. Using and growing in the gifts God hasgiven us is fun and exciting, but spiritual gifts are given for a purpose, not for ourown enjoyment. Love is the key. Love is the reason we use our gifts.

If we are using our gifts in the body (the church), and we seek more, so that “wecan be all we can be,” we are already making a mistake. The gifts are for thebenefit of the body, not of the individual. Your gifts are not all about you! This isa difficult thing to understand in our very individualistic, insular culture. Theculture in Paul’s time was far more communally oriented, and was more attunedto how one person’s actions affected the entire community.

• Are you using your gifts within the body?

• If not, what can you do to start serving in your church (keeping in mind thatyour loving actions can benefit the entire body)?




1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Love is Perfect


I had to work on a huge project. I had one goal, one big picture to accomplish,and I was losing my mind trying to figure out the best way to do it. I found thatplanning the work in stages was the best way to tackle the job. I was able tosmoothly complete the task by working in segments.

Most people go into a project with some idea of how it is going to end. If youstart at point A, and want to get to point C, then point B becomes veryimportant, because it becomes the vehicle that will carry you to the goal. Whathappens at point B defines the whole thing.

Our Point A in this particular case is the gifts of the Spirit. Point C is theedification (or building up) of the body of Christ, his church. Point B is God.God’s love, the love He has for us and wants us to show one another, is how webuild up the church—or how we get from Point A to Point C.

Point B is the most important point of all! This is true because, according to1 Corinthians 13:8-10, everything else will fall away without it. Prophecies willeventually be useless, because there will be nothing left to prophecy about.Tongues will be silenced, and getting more knowledge will become unnecessary,because we’ll know all there is to know at the end of time.

Love, though, will remain. That’s because God is love. (I told you I’d mention itagain!) Therefore, love is not only the bridge between our talents and theedification of the church, but it is also the goal. The goal never was about thegifts; the goal is God and building the church in order to bring glory to Him.

What is your goal within the church? You might have many goals for your church,but your first priority should be to use your talents to bring glory to God. Why is itthat when we deal with our brothers and sisters within the church, we can forgetthat God is love? Dealing with so many different personalities and opinions canwear on us if we let it. Remember, as you use your gifts for God, as you interactwith others—God is love—and it is up to you to believe this and forge ahead.

• Ask yourself this question: am I helping or hindering the growth of the church?

• How could God’s perfect love change your church?



1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Through the Looking GlassWhen I was a little kid, I used to ride my bike all day, play with my friends, jumparound in dirt piles, and play with my G. I. Joes. I figured that the point of lifewas to have fun; therefore, I had little time for school. This mindset continued untilwell after I was out of high school and in college. Now, as a 36-year-old, I amstill trying to finish my bachelor’s degree. The delay in finishing is due mainly tomy childish theory that life is only about having fun. It took me a little while torealize this and to get serious about the importance of education.

As imperfect human beings, we tend to behave childishly in a lot of ways. Wecan be childish in our relationships and emotions. We can also be childish in ourspiritual life. Love puts quality into your service for God. When you have love,your words and actions amount to something and help other people.

Spiritually speaking, do you behave childishly sometimes? In this life, it’s hard tosee the bigger picture. Our view of God may be childish because we can’t seeor know what He knows. But our spiritual life needs to mature just as our physicalbodies do. Someday we will be completely mature, when we are united fully inChrist, but until then we must be in a constant state of growth.

But what does it mean to grow up spiritually? Probably the best way to understandit is to look back at the fruit of the Spirit, spoken of in Galatians 5:22-23. Loveputs maturity into your life. When we have fostered new spiritual fruit in our lives,it is a sign that we have begun to spiritually mature. Do you love others? Do youtrust God in all things? Are you patient and kind? These are all good ways toevaluate our spiritual maturity.

Now we see the mind and heart of God in the world darkly, but someday weshall know Him completely. But let’s not wait! Let’s have an eternal view of life byspreading the borders of His Kingdom (Matthew 28:19-20).

• Would you consider your outlook on life temporary or eternal?

• What makes a person’s outlook temporary?

• What makes it eternal? What are some practical ways to live with an eternaloutlook?




1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1

The Greatest of These


1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds me of a cycle: Our faith in God gives us hope foreternity, which motivates us to love others, which reinforces our faith inGod…and it keeps going on and on just like that.

God’s kingdom is eternal, but it starts now. Part of it is on the other side ofeternity, but part of it is right here and right now. We are, quite literally, movinginto the world with our banners of the kingdom of God unfurled, proclaimingfaith, hope and love to all that will hear.

You might ask, “How do we do that?” We gently go into our neighbors’ houses,jobs, coffee shops, and friends’ spaces with God’s love in mind. All the talentand gifts in the world can’t speak as loud as love, because love is the universallanguage.

Love lasts, and what love does will last. Love is the greatest and does the greatestbecause “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Bear in mind that whatever qualities youmay have, they are nothing without love.

But the point of 1 Corinthians 13 is not to discourage people from desiringspiritual gifts, but to remind them and encourage them to pursue God and Hislove ahead of the gifts. Jesus said the same thing in Luke 12:13. Never put thegift before the Giver. Don’t lose sight of the eternal.

Notice the order in 1 Corinthians 14:1: follow love, but desire gifts. Follow loveis active. Desire shows something you want, but have to wait for. God is thegreat Giver. Seek Him first, and everything else will be added to you.

Think of one person you can actively love in a practical way (a way thatdemonstrates one of the attributes described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

How can you love someone using one or more of your spiritual gifts?

Now, go love!


God, I Need…goingDEEP

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus’ CompassionImagine seeing the world that we live in through the eyes of Christ. We live in aworld that is far from God—a world that desperately needs Christians to do theirpart in being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14), yet so often it is the very thingswe should be doing that we neglect: making Christ known, mentoring newChristians, praying diligently.

As we look into today’s Scripture, we can see an amazing process by whichcompassion reveals itself. This is the course of action Jesus was involved in duringmuch of His public ministry.

In verse 35 the Bible says Jesus “went…teaching…preaching…and healing.” Thispattern of ministry to people would inevitably lead Him to be moved withcompassion, and we see in verse 36 that when He saw the “multitudes,” he was“moved with compassion.”

Jesus had compassion because He saw that the people were helpless, distressed,dejected, and even harassed. This passion for others would ultimately lead Jesusto prayer (vv. 37-38).

When I prayed for the compassion of Jesus, I found myself ministering to the homelessin my community. Incredibly, God opened up other doors for me to travel to India andAfrica. When I saw the poor there, when I realized there wasn’t even clean drinkingwater and food was scarce, when I met widows and orphans who were innocentvictims of the AIDs epidemic, I was moved with compassion and heartbroken for them.

Only when we have ministered to the hurting and the spiritually helpless can wetruly be moved with compassion and be driven to our knees in fervent prayer ontheir behalf.

• Where were the primary areas where Jesus ministered to people (v. 35)? Isthere any significance to this?

• What were Jesus’ exact words about the “harvest” and “laborers” in verse 37?

• Jesus told His disciples what to do to bring in laborers (v. 38). What did He say?

• Pray right now and ask God to ignite your heart with a compassion for others,saved and unsaved.

dwel l ingPOINT: 2 Cor in th ians 1 :2 -3 TEW, J r.



Matthew 3

John the Baptist’s Zeal

dwel l ingPOINT: 2 Cor in th ians 1 :2 -3

In Matthew 11:11, Jesus told us that there has not risen anyone greater than Johnthe Baptist. What would cause the Son of God to affirm John’s ministry in such away that He would say there hasn’t been anyone greater than John the Baptist?To answer this question we need to understand Matthew 3. Within John burned awhite-hot evangelistic zeal (vv. 1-2), coupled with a concern for preparing theway for Jesus’ arrival (v. 3). John did not want there to be any mistaking the Sonof God when He came, but he also didn’t want people to be surprised when onemightier than he would come (v. 11).

What made John great was not the breadth of his ministry, but the depth of hisministry. He was not as concerned with the masses as he was with the Master.John left a perfect example of clearing the path so that Jesus would be able to doHis divine work. John’s greatness was not measured by the kingdom he built onearth, but by the work he did in preparing for the Kingdom that is to come.

I need John the Baptist’s zeal for preparing people’s minds and hearts to see God,and I pray for it every day. Yes, I’ve had so many moments of utter and completefailure in this area, catastrophically falling short of what God needs from me! Butwhen I fall, I get up and beg God to forgive me and allow me to serve once again.

Have you been lackadaisical in serving God? Are you half-heartedly goingthrough the motions of reading your Bible and praying? Pray for John’sdedication and passion.

• Does it strike you as odd that John’s appearance didn’t prevent people frombeing baptized (vv. 4-7)?

• Where was John’s primary area of ministry (v. 5)? Why do you think this iswhere he was called?

• John baptized with water. What did he say Jesus would baptize with in verse 11?

• What was John’s reaction when Jesus wanted to be baptized by him (v. 14)?What does this tell us about John?



Genesis 5:21-24

Enoch’s Walk With You“And Enoch walked with God….” Imagine your name being recorded for all ofeternity, and it simply said, and (your name) walked with God…and God tookyou. It would be an incredible legacy to leave for generations to come. Don’t youthink all of Enoch’s relatives talked about his sudden disappearance—and then toknow it was because God took him—that would be such a noble heritage.

Very little about Enoch’s life is recorded in the pages of Scripture, but we can becertain that his life was significant. It had true meaning; he possessed such agodliness that he was one of only two men in the Bible (Elijah was the other, in2 Kings 2:11) who were taken from this earth prematurely. They weren’t taken bydeath, but God took them because He wanted them in heaven. Enoch had to beentirely dead to this world because he didn’t only walk after God, as all savedpeople do, but he walked with God, as if he were in heaven already!

Enoch was dedicated to the service of God. He purposely set his mind to walkwith God, and he succeeded! He was driven and determined to live for God. Hewas righteous in the midst of opposition. Because Enoch didn’t live like others, hedidn’t die like others, but “God took him” (v. 24).

I long to have Enoch’s discipline and devotion! I need to have his dedication andcomplete trust in God. What do you have to do, though, to walk with God? Trust inHim, be filled with God’s Spirit, spend time with Christ in prayer, stay in His Wordand please Him by obeying Him. There’s so much more, but you get the idea.

Perhaps it’s time to put aside the tired demands of this world and begin to cultivatean appetite for heaven, an insatiable craving for the kingdom that is to come. LikeEnoch, may it simply be said of us that we walked with God, that we were happyin having the eternal satisfaction of a life spent knowing Him, and that we wereas intentional about our relationship with our heavenly Father as we were anyrelationship we are building here on earth.

• In Hebrews 11:5, the Bible talks about Enoch’s faith. At the very end of theverse, what does it specifically say about Enoch?

• Ask God for Enoch’s walk with Him. Make this a part of your regular prayers.


Thursday, May 1, 2014


Proverbs 1:1-7

Solomon’s Wisdom


Exploring the wonders of wisdom has certain boundaries, especially if we haven’t fullyunderstood the importance of fearing the Lord (v. 7). Fearing the Lord means that youwill have a constant reverential trust in Him—no matter what happens in your life.

Solomon addresses the beginning of knowledge by telling us it is the “fear of theLord.” If we want even a portion of Solomon’s incredible, God-given wisdom, wemust come to a place where we are totally abandoned to the demands of fear in thisearthly realm and are more fully absorbed by the wonder of the fear of the Lord inthe heavenly realms. Solomon knew that many would wonder how wisdom couldbe more easily attained, but he also understood that with the blessing of spirit-anointed wisdom comes a spiritual battle that begins only with the fear of the Lord.

Wisdom can safeguard us from hurting others, ourselves, and most importantlythe cause of Christ. It is that supernatural gift from God that helps us make gooddecisions, know just what to say, and gives us the discernment to know thatmaybe we shouldn’t say anything at all. Solomon exhorts us, “Wisdom is theprincipal thing; therefore get wisdom” (v. 7). Wisdom is more important thanjewels, riches, and power (read Proverbs 8:11-21), because wisdom helps youbuild for all eternity. I have failed over and over again in this area, allowing myemotions to get riled up, or my pride to get in the way. I am one that must prayfor God’s wisdom every single day. We all need to pray for it!

Share this prayer with God:

Dear God, I need more of your wisdom. Please help me to have spiritualknowledge, discretion, and a true reverential trust in you. I pray as I read and hearyour Word that I will obey it and share it with others so that many will be blessed.

1. According to Proverbs, wisdom is one of the most important attributes that weshould have. What is the reason for this? (See Proverbs 4:5-7.)

2. What part does understanding have in possessing wisdom (v. 2)?

Friday, May 2, 2014


Philippians 1:20-21

Paul’s Passion for MinistryThe apostle Paul left us a rich heritage of a consuming passion for ministry.Please read the following verses: Philippians 3:7, 14; 2 Timothy 4:7. As I readthose verses, they ignited the flame of my own cold, complacent heart. Whateverthings were profitable to Paul were counted loss by him for the sake of Christ. Heconstantly pressed onward for “the prize of the high calling of God in ChristJesus.” He finished his course and kept the faith. How I want to do this!

The very words that Paul spoke seem to be the foundation for his ministry. It wasas if he were leaving just a portion of his overall philosophy of ministry so thatwe could begin to develop our own. He gave us enough spiritual motivation tohelp us keep going, knowing that this is not the end of our journey. The best isyet to come, yet we don’t always feel this way, do we?

There are times when the root of bitterness can slowly poison us (Hebrews 12:15).When this happens, the Bible tells us that many will be defiled, or tainted andtarnished by it. We can become indifferent, hardened, distant; and somewhatwithdrawn while doing the work of God, and this is so wrong. Those are themoments when we don’t love the people we are serving the way we should lovethem. When they disappoint us, or they grumble and complain, we take itpersonally instead of taking it all to the Lord. No matter where you serve, in aclass, in your home, or at church, you can have a spiritual ennui take over inyour heart. We neglect our spiritual life when we do this.

Oh, how we need Paul’s love and infatuation for ministry. His passion is born outof an all-encompassing love for God and His truth. Maybe it’s time to realign ourmotives for ministry in a more vertical direction—thinking upward, then out—firstGod, then people.

Every single one of us needs to pray for just a portion of Paul’s passion forministry, his understanding of the importance of ministry, and his love for Godthat made his ministry so effective. We need to draw on God and ask Him toinfuse us with His love; we need to ask for strength from Him to fulfill thedemands placed upon us.


Saturday, May 3 , 2014


Luke 10:38-42

Mary’s Attentiveness


Many times we read this passage and think, How could Martha be so ignorant?Why would she choose to be distracted by preparations and serving over beingwith Jesus? Whenever I find myself thinking these thoughts, I am brought to aplace of repentance. Why? Because I have been guilty of the same neglect—theneglect of the spiritual on the altar of the temporal, less important work that thisworld burdens me with. And I know that planning, preparing, and serving isn’t abad thing, but I also realize that Jesus Christ must be first in my life. I needMary’s attentiveness!

Jesus rebukes Martha, telling her that Mary has chosen the good part—the partthat is to her advantage ultimately (vv. 41-42). Jesus said, “…that good part willnot be taken away from her” meaning neither now to help Martha in the kitchen,nor for all eternity!

Mary had to make a choice to be with Jesus, and Martha had to make a choiceto be anxious and troubled and not to be with Jesus. Our best intentions to spendtime with the Lord and learn at His feet will never replace an intentional choice tojust go do it.

If we desire to know God, we have to make choices along the road of life—choices to put a project on the back burner, stop running around so much, turnthe TV or computer off, or even put a good book down so that we can learnmore about Jesus. It’s interesting that Jesus said that only one thing is needed,and Mary chose it (v. 42). We all need to choose this better part.

You have a choice; you can choose Mary’s focused devotion to Christ, orMartha’s fretfulness.

• What is the one thing that keeps you from an intimate relationship with JesusChrist?

• If you were to be given the opportunity Martha had to sit at the feet of Jesus,do you think you would squander it away as well? Why or why not?

• Having Mary’s attentiveness is a conscious choice. Pray for the ability tomake choices based on the eternal rewards.

dwellEditors: Thomas E. Ward, Sr., Gloria Ward

Writers: Alan A. Ambrose, Jim Binney, Vincent Cappetta,Joseph B. Coppola, Phil Jones, Joseph M. Knapp,Rachel N. Knapp, Dino Pedrone, Mary Simpson,

Dottie Sumner, Gloria Ward, Jacob W. Ward,Thomas E. Ward, Jr., Thomas E. Ward, Sr.,

George A. Warren, James R. Wilkes

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