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Post by Parker on Apr 9, 2023 9:13:26 GMT -8
Prayer and Action
We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
NEHEMIAH 4:9
Prayer does not preclude action, and action does not dismiss prayer. Being and doing are necessary for partnering with God’s will. Nehemiah and his team tethered their hearts to God in trust, but they also assigned a guard 24/7 to watch out for attacks from the enemy. Yes indeed, prayer empowers the person praying to be bold in the work of God. It produces an inner resolve to serve as to the Lord. Prayer and watchfulness work together to accomplish the Almighty’s purposes.
What tension do you feel between doing your part and trusting God to do His part? Wisdom seeks Christ daily to determine how He is leading. His Holy Spirit will guide you in what needs to be done for today. Don’t allow unnecessary interruptions to rob you of experiencing God’s best. Beware of those who live frantic and faithless lives. Their problems need not become your crises lest you are led astray. Pray for needy people and help them as the Spirit leads. Watch out for distractions.
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ” (Luke 10:40).
Prayer produces the right actions. Activities without insight from Almighty God can miss being the most effective. Just as a sailor on deck looks up to the captain on the bridge for a clearer view, so we are wise to peer into the Lord’s perspective as our guide before moving forward. Heaven’s telescope of truth is able to focus in on what needs to happen on earth. When we seek wisdom from above, we better understand what to do below. Actions led by prayer get the best results.
What are you facing that invites prayer and support from other saints of God? Whom can you summon into your confidence for comfort, love, and intercession? Signs of trouble aren’t meant to be faced alone, but in the strength of the Spirit and undergirded by a caring community. You may be used to assisting others, but now is your opportunity to receive. Believers are blessed when they can be a blessing to you. The body of Christ is healthy when it prays and acts in love toward one another.
“Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do” (Jeremiah 42:3).
Heavenly Father, I pray You will lead me in where I should go and in what I should do.
Related Readings
Jeremiah 42:20; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 6:5-7; Acts 9:40; 2 Corinthians 13:7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 10, 2023 7:12:28 GMT -8
Management Complements Leadership
[Jesus] directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
MATTHEW 14:19
Jesus was a leader worth following. He was also a manager who managed well. He understood the importance of an orderly process, and He implemented it effectively. Leadership ensures the enterprise is on the right strategic path, and management is the method for executing the mission. Leadership will languish without good management moving critical initiatives forward.
Wise managers clearly define who, what, when, where, and how. Their attention to detail supports the team’s objectives. Managers diagnose problems and bring solutions to bear. They remove obstacles and reclaim progress. Managers implement methods that support the success of the organization. Like the Lord in His creation, they bring order and discipline to the enterprise.
“Dominion and awe belong to God;
he establishes order in the heights of heaven” (Job 25:2).
Successful managers are almost obsessive about clear communication and mission-critical measurements. They constantly ask, does the team understand their responsibilities? Are the schedule and deadline clear? How can we be better at what we do? What are the leading indicators telling us, and how do we need to adjust?
As a manager, you are a steward of God’s time, money, and resources at home and at work. So seek the Owner for His wisdom. Make sure you know how He expects you to treat people and oversee the process. Good managers make people their priority while still managing below budget. Your task may seem impossible, but you can trust the Lord to multiply your efforts and resources in creative and innovative ways. Stay faithful to manage well, and you will be in a position to be entrusted with much more.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:21 NLT).
How would I improve as a manager if I served people more at their point of need?
Related Readings
Genesis 39:2-6; Nehemiah 2:11-20; Luke 12:42; 16:1-8
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 12, 2023 7:08:34 GMT -8
God’s Favor
When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
GENESIS 39:3-4
The Lord’s favor rests on His followers who remain faithful to Him. It is humbling to know that God extends wisdom and grace to those who go after Him with all they’ve got. We may be separated from our loved ones by distance, but the Lord is always nearby, imparting His calming presence. Rest assured, Jesus brings success to souls who submit to His will.
Favor with God leads to favor with man. You are much more likely to connect with people’s hearts on earth when you have connected with God’s heart in heaven. People of influence are on the lookout for those whom they can trust. It is not a small thing to delegate management and leadership responsibilities, and those with proven character are entrusted with more.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10).
Be faithful in your responsibilities as a servant leader at work and home. Maintain a joyful attitude in difficult situations, and Jesus will bless you. Your boss may be unreasonable, your spouse insensitive, or your child disrespectful, but the Lord will see your humble heart and reward you with respect, responsibility, and rest.
What are you to do when God prospers you and your family? What are His eternal expectations? Certainly the Lord looks for His glory to be revealed through a life that reflects praise and thanksgiving. When we smash the idols of materialism, sex, and power—replacing them with modest living, love, and service—people want to know why. Questions about our “peculiar” lifestyle are meant to point people to Jesus.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
So instead of seeking the world’s favor, submit to God’s authority, and His favor will follow. God will bless your life when you love the Lord and people. As the moon is a reflection of the sun’s light, you can be a reflection of the Son’s light, illuminating the Lord’s ways to wayward souls. The Lord is on the lookout to extend His blessings on those who fear Him, trust Jesus, and love people.
“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21).
Am I in a position of humble obedience and trust so I can experience the favor of God?
Related Readings
1 Chronicles 28:19; Isaiah 62:3; Luke 1:66; 1 John 2:8-10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 13, 2023 11:48:43 GMT -8
Confidence in Leadership
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. HEBREWS 13:17
Leaders must win people’s confidence if they are to maintain credibility. When confidence is lost, creditability is not far behind, and influence is forfeited. A leader’s role invites confidence from others, but the leader must consistently display a strong character and effective results to maintain the status of a trusted advisor.
Are you a leader worth following? Do your wife and children have confidence in your decision-making process? Do they see a spiritual leader who follows the Lord well? If so, you have the benefit of being held in high esteem and considered trustworthy. People willingly follow leaders who establish appropriate accountability systems.
“David said to God, ‘Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? LORD my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people’ ” (1 Chronicles 21:17).
Ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ are on display as they model belief and behavior. The bar is set high—they are accountable to Almighty God for how they represent His kingdom. Leaders for the Lord demonstrate the Christian trademark—loving well. To love well means to listen to criticism in order to grow personally. To love well is to comfort the afflicted with the balm of grace. To love well is to challenge a changing world with unchanging truth.
When followers of Jesus see their pastor follow Jesus with a humble heart, a disciplined mind, and a lifestyle of accountability, they are reassured and secure. When leaders and followers desire to do the Lord’s will and trust each other, the relationship is filled with joy and peace. The burden of leading grows lighter when the leader is confident in Christ.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
So seek to be a loving leader who wins the confidence of those you serve. As one who ultimately follows Christ first, submit to those in authority over you (whether they deserve it or not) and trust that the Lord will hold them accountable to His standards.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
What authority do I need to submit to as I maintain confidence in Christ, trusting He will hold them accountable to His standards?
Related Readings
Ezekiel 34:10; John 10:11-12; Romans 3:19
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 14, 2023 5:36:00 GMT -8
A Personal God
I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
PSALM 31:14
God is personally accessible to those who call on His name by faith. He is not aloof, but engaging. God governs the entire universe, but He takes time for those who come to Him. Your trust in Him is your ticket to a personal relationship with Providence. Trust is a bridge of belief that spans the canyon of Christlessness. When we trust Him, we are positioned to know Him. Relationship without trust is incapable of intimacy and the feeling of closeness. We remain steadfast in our faith in God even in the face of suffering, temptation, and dire circumstances. He is still our God who can be trusted in our times of trouble. Our hope in God is so strong that we do not cease to call on His name in our sorrow. When we know Him, we trust Him.
Adversity and challenges, great or small, test our trust in God. Sometimes we are tempted to give up. We want to re-brand God to fit our shallow beliefs. Because He is personal, we expect Him to bend toward our immature behavior. Actually, giving up can be a good idea if we are giving up on our own solutions. But we cannot give up on God.
Christians will sometimes let us down, but Jesus never will. Christ’s care is personal and persevering. He is not going anywhere. Our anger may cause us to retreat from the tender touch of our Lord, but He patiently waits for us to come back to our senses and back to Him. Don’t project your dysfunctions onto Jesus. Instead, ask Him to make you a reflection of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace, and holiness. Get personal with your God. You can laugh with the Lord and cry with Christ. You take on the attributes of those with whom you are personal.
He is “our God” in the sense that we belong to Him. We do not own the Almighty, but sometimes we act as if we do. We make decisions and then ask Him to bless our mess. Or we don’t make decisions and ask Him to bless our irresponsibility. Trying to manage our Master isn’t healthy and doesn’t work. Our role is not to change God and others so our lives will be better. Our role is to surrender to our Savior Jesus, asking Him to change us. We are in a personal relationship with Christ so we can reflect His ownership of our lives.
He is “our God” in the same way that a person is our mayor, our governor, or our president. We are under their authority, and God is our ultimate authority. Our rights are restricted to what God says is right.
Therefore, avoid mistrust and embrace trust in the Lord. Doubt leads to death, but trust leads to life. When you don’t know what to pray, ask God to align your heart with His so your desires will become His desires. This is the best outcome of our personal prayers. Intimacy with the Almighty leads to alignment with Him. God gives us access so we can understand and apply His principles and cooperate with His purposes. So do not shun seeking out your Savior. He can be trusted. He is your God for His glory.
“Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength
and my defense;
he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
Heavenly Father, thank You for my personal salvation in Jesus and for His attention to what’s best for me.
Related Readings
Psalms 31:14; 40:3; Isaiah 43:10; Habakkuk 3:18; Luke 1:47; Titus 1:4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 15, 2023 5:03:25 GMT -8
A Personal Savior
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
PSALM 23:1
A good shepherd knows his sheep up close and personal. He is committed to care for their needs and protect their interests. A loving shepherd longs to be with his sheep, to know and understand them, and to care for them the best he can. His individual and personal attention provides security for them. A caring shepherd brings his sheep peace.
In a similar way, Jesus Christ shepherds the souls of His sheep. The Lord is large and in charge, but He also knows the names and feels the emotions of His followers. He is the Great Shepherd, ruling over the entire world, and He is also the Good Shepherd, watching over individual hearts. The Lord personally shepherds saved souls with patient love. He knows His sheep, and His sheep know Him.
“You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD” (Ezekiel 34:31).
Is the Lord my Shepherd? By faith, have I entered into a personal relationship with my God? Or am I a lone sheep that has wandered from the flock of faith? If He is not your Shepherd, or if you have drifted away, your Savior Jesus is waiting to bring you into the fold of His faithfulness. Let the Lord lift you onto His secure shoulders and carry you into His caring community. To survive, sheep need each other and a trustworthy shepherd. Jesus saves us from sin.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
There are no healthy desires your Shepherd does not fulfill. Do you need forgiveness? He forgives you. Do you long for love? He loves you. Do you wish not to worry? He gives you peace. Are you afraid? He protects you. Are you confused? He clarifies with godly counsel and with His holy Word, the Bible. Are you alone? He walks with you forever.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15).
Therefore, listen intently to the voice of your sensitive Shepherd Jesus. He longs to lead you along His providential path. There will be tests and unknowns along the way, but fear only God and rest in His reassuring presence. He will lead you to His best, to the destination He has determined for you. Follow your Shepherd and your personal Savior Jesus.
“The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:25-27).
Is Jesus my personal Savior? Do I trust and follow Him as the Shepherd over my life?
Related Readings
Psalm 100:3; Ezekiel 34:11-15; Romans 8:35-37; 1 Peter 2:25
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 16, 2023 10:11:41 GMT -8
Personal Peace
In Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.
EPHESIANS 2:13-14
Jesus Christ is a personal Savior who brings a personal peace. One of the advantages of knowing Jesus is knowing His peace—a peace that passes all understanding. A person outside the kingdom of God is vulnerable to the unsettling elements of evil that prevent peace. Indeed, personal peace is a by-product of personally engaging God.
Are you at peace in your life in general and in your work in particular? If not, submit to the Prince of Peace (Jesus) and allow Him to shepherd you through your valley of trepidation. You may not know what the future holds, but you know who holds the future. Christ is our peace, so do not overlook His presence, which already resides in your heart by faith.
“Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you” (Job 22:21).
Once we were far off, without faith, and in fear, but now we have been brought near to God through our belief in His Son’s blood, spilled for the payment of our sins. Salvation in Jesus is a peaceful position for all who appropriate their role as children of God. When we try to substitute the peace of God with the shallow promises of the world, we only become anxious.
Your heavenly Father promises you peace in His Son Jesus. There is no need to go any further than faith in Him. Yes, peace can be elusive within an alluring and noisy culture, but Christ is at peace in you. Unfair family members may cause you to fret, and an unreasonable boss may cause you to sweat, but in the sanctuary of your soul there is peace. So don’t substitute faith in Christ with a false peace. Instead, rest in His promise.
“I will listen to what God the LORD says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly” (Psalm 85:8).
As you rock your feverish little one to sleep, lean into the Lord’s peace. When your mind races in frantic worry, resolve in your heart that the promise of God’s peace is irrevocable. When the stock market dives in uncertainty, dive deeper into the security of your Savior Jesus. Personal peace is a product of being with the One who is peace. Your Prince of Peace awaits to escort you into the calm courts of His presence.
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).
In what area of my life do I need peace of mind from the Prince of Peace?
Related Readings
2 Chronicles 20:30; Isaiah 9:6; Romans 15:13,33; 1 Corinthians 14:33
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 17, 2023 9:00:11 GMT -8
Conflict Resolution
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
MATTHEW 18:15
Christians tend to skirt conflict. Some perceive it as unspiritual, but Jesus teaches it is spiritual. Healthy conflict is necessary for relational and spiritual growth. It is required to keep clean accounts with others and stay focused on kingdom priorities. Conflict resolution can be uncomfortable, but if ignored, it can become ugly and even explosive.
There are two roles in the beginning stages of conflict resolution—the confronter and the receiver. If you are the confronter, it is critical to communicate the facts of the situation. If you are loose with the truth and cavalier in your confrontation, the situation will worsen, so make sure to verify and document the details.
The second critical task of the confronter is to guide the spirit of the conversation. Do not allow an accusatory tone to enter your voice. You are there in a spirit of reconciliation and healing. Avoid a condescending attitude, as you are a potential candidate for the same concerns you are bringing to your friend. Confront with a spirit of humility and grace. Speak the truth in love.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
If, on the other hand, you are the receiver, beware of defensiveness, denial, and defiance. When you are confronted, listen carefully and do not interrupt with petty excuses. After hearing out the accuser, you can correct any misconceptions and inaccuracies with a mature and level-headed spirit.
If you are the receiver, you will usually need to apologize. Nine times out of ten, your sincere apology will remedy the situation. On the other hand, a combative response will just escalate the debate into a stalemate. It is better to lose an argument and win a relationship. Treat each other as God does, and everyone wins.
If there is not a private resolution, consider the option of mediation. Mediation can involve one or two additional people. If two more are invited, each party can select one person who is respected by all. Everyone one should agree that the conclusion of the mediator(s) is the final word.
To engage with another is to care. To ignore—or worse, to gossip about another—is betrayal. The mature follower of Christ seeks to lovingly warn others of the consequences of unwise decisions. When you take the time to confront another, you could save them from embarrassment and humiliation. Grace gives an opportunity for change. Praise God for those who have done the same for us. We need each other. Confrontation now precludes more difficult confrontation later. Diffuse the conflict bomb now and avoid an explosion of egos later.
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6).
Whom do I need to lovingly confront over a concern because I care for them?
Related Readings
Genesis 21:25; Job 6:24; Mark 8:33; Galatians 2:11-13
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 18, 2023 5:15:22 GMT -8
Conflicting Loyalties
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
HEBREWS 11:24-25
Sometimes we have to choose between conflicting loyalties. In some of those instances, either way we go we will disappoint, offend, or anger another party. Even more difficult, we may be loyal for years to a job or church, but then the Spirit can begin leading us in a different direction. When loyalty to our faith or family collides with competing circumstances or opportunities, we have to courageously make the choice that honors our highest priorities.
Most loyalties have their limitations. Moses struggled with the pressure to please everyone. His adoptive parents expected him to take on the regalia of royalty, but his biological family desperately needed his leadership. He would become a prince, or he would be a slave. He would wield power, or he would suffer disgrace. He would be rich, or he would be penniless. He would enjoy the pleasures of sin, or he would struggle to follow God. By faith, Moses walked away from the path of prestige for the sake of Christ. Loyalty to the Lord looks for His reward.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).
Are you halting between two opinions? Do you feel pulled in different directions? If so, trust God to lead you in the right way. The pain of letting down a strong personality (such as your pastor or your boss) is mild compared to the pain of disappointing those who love you the most. Your definition of loyalty may be different from your pastor’s or boss’s viewpoint. What matters most is your loyalty to the Lord and your loved ones. Most of all, trust your ever loyal Savior Jesus to see you through.
We are committed to remain loyal in our marriage. We persevere through pending problems, for there is a promised land from God that awaits us. Loyalty to our spouse supersedes loyalty to our parents. We honor our parents in the process, but we don’t allow the lines of marriage loyalty to blur. When we weather all kinds of storms together, we better appreciate the sunshine and blessings of growing old together. Loyalty to God means loyalty to our vows. So conflicting loyalties provide us with opportunities to love the Lord. By faith, we give up sin’s pleasure for His pleasure.
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them” (Proverbs 16:7).
Heavenly Father, as I struggle with conflicting loyalties, help me to make choices that honor You first.
Related Readings
Exodus 2; Ruth 1:16; Haggai 1:8-9; Matthew 6:24; 10:37; Luke 14:33
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 19, 2023 6:37:33 GMT -8
Respond, Don’t React
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
PROVERBS 15:1
A reaction is an immediate reflex based on emotions. People react in anger when they feel insulted. They react by withdrawing when they feel left out. They react with gossip when they feel mistreated. They react defensively when they feel criticized. Reactions seem natural because they are base behaviors that operate without boundaries. A hasty reaction happens in the moment and many times leads to regret. The flesh reacts, but the Spirit leads us to respond.
A measured response, on the other hand, delays its interaction. It is based on the intellect and processed in prayer. So when we receive an email that provokes our pride or hurts our feelings, we refrain from firing back an immediate defense. We remind ourselves that email is helpful for information but less effective for true communication. When a friend or family member makes a disrespectful remark about us at a social gathering, we wait several days before talking with them so we can respond with logic, not emotion. We discuss with them how to keep our relationship whole, not fractured.
“By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance” (Proverbs 25:15).
So when your blood pressure rises, pause and ask Christ to guard your heart with His peace. When your mind goes to a worst-case scenario, ask the Lord to renew your thinking so you can see His bigger picture at work. When your throat dries and your lips are parched, let the Holy Spirit lubricate your speech with grace. When the hairs stand up on your arm, remember your heavenly Father knows the number of hairs on your head, so He can handle this event or person. Another’s arrogance is agitating, but your humble response invites a calm conversation. Respond in love.
Jesus modeled a loving response in place of an angry reaction (John 7:20-24). A crowd accused Him of being demon-possessed, but instead of insulting their ignorance, He appealed to their intellect by invoking their knowledge of Moses. He went on to logically explain why it’s okay to heal a broken body on the Sabbath. Indeed, Christ in us calms our spirit so we can respond rationally and respectfully. Our Spirit-led response will bear spiritual fruit. The Lord will use our soft answer to soften a heart in need of a Savior. We pray the other person will respond to Jesus in saving faith.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
Heavenly Father, give me pause to respond with respect and love, not in hasty judgment.
Related Readings
Ecclesiastes 10:4; Matthew 12:36; Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8
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Post by Parker on Apr 20, 2023 4:30:47 GMT -8
Rest from Work
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
HEBREWS 4:9-11
For some people, resting is hard work. They love their regular job—they enjoy it and may even worship it. Hard, smart, and productive work is good, but worshipping work is bad. It is reckless and leads to ruin. It may be relational ruin, physical ruin, or even financial ruin.
Work that is worshipped gets out of hand quickly. God is the only one who deserves worship. Pride in your work can be healthy—with a pure motivation to produce quality results—but do not allow work to become an end in itself. Your true identity does not come from work. If it does, you are positioned for a roller-coaster ride of emotion. One day you will feel secure, and the next day you will be swept away by insecurity.
You are a follower of Christ, so find your identity in Him. This is one reason why rest from work is vital. When you work all the time, you tend to drift from your moorings of faith in Christ to faith in yourself. It becomes a trust issue. “Can God be trusted enough for me to rest from my work?” Of course He can. He can handle the work that remains. He divinely redeems the time of your limited work and produces results that will last longer than if you had worked all the time. After all, you are His workmanship in Christ Jesus. When you take the time to cease working, God is allowed to accelerate His work in you. Some of God’s best work takes place when you don’t work. He works better when you don’t. His work is a work of grace, and it is a beautiful sight to behold. So enjoy your Sabbath rest as He works on your heart. Allow Him to draw you to Himself so that when you go back to work, you are refreshed and revitalized.
As you take a break from work and enter into God’s Sabbath rest, avoid the trap of resting physically but not mentally. Free your mind from this split-focused activity. Do not make your mind jealous over your body’s freedom from work. Rest your thoughts from work, and you will discover your thinking is more robust and innovative when you reengage in your work. During your Sabbath rest, shift your thinking to the bigger thoughts of God and His plan. Superimpose simple faith in Him over the complex issues that are assaulting your rest.
Refresh your mind, body, and emotions during your Sabbath rest. If you are with other people during your Sabbath rest from work, relate to them with relevance and relationship. Let them see the sincerity of your focused presence. Don’t act as if you wish you were somewhere else. Your rest is a time for you to relate the ways of God to others. Your life is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Let others read it up close and personal. Your Sabbath rest can be a catalyst for others to reengage with God. Set the example and watch others follow. Your Sabbath rest gives others permission to do the same.
Arriving at God’s rest is not always easy, but once you do, it is well worth the effort. His rest ignites your obedience and trust. So rest from work and rest in Him. Then watch your work become better.
“God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:3).
Heavenly Father, I trust You to fill in the gaps when I take time to rest.
Related Readings
Exodus 31:15; Ecclesiastes 2:23; Luke 23:56; Hebrews 4:3
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 21, 2023 6:02:14 GMT -8
Forced Rest
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
PSALM 23:2
Sometimes the Lord makes His children create margin in their lives. He understands that a life without real rest can become graceless and grumpy. Enforced margin may result from physical illness, emotional overload, spiritual fatigue, or ruptured relationships screaming for attention. The flesh thinks it can continue with little or no rest, but the spirit knows better.
We may work through our fatigue and fake it for a while, but eventually we hit an unscalable wall with nothing more to give. Jesus knows we are extra vulnerable during these tired times, and He makes a way of retreat and rest. His gentle and loving care calls us to come away with Him. It’s much better to heed His invitation for intimacy than to move down the road without Him. Resting in the Lord invigorates and inspires.
We can spare ourselves discomfort by choosing to rest rather than waiting for our Master to force us to take a break. A wise man understands the need for rhythms of rest in his schedule. This is why a good night’s sleep and occasional naps are necessary. Weekends, especially Sundays, are made for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. If we are intoxicated by activity, we run the risk of living in a restless hangover. Real rest allows us to recover and unwind in God’s presence.
Just as green pastures are pleasant and fulfilling for any animal that depends on the earth, God’s heavenly resources feed our souls, fill our minds, and hydrate our hearts. Are you tired and overwhelmed? Do you feel alone and depleted of any energy to engage with others? If so, take the time to get away with God. Say no to the unnecessary and yes to the necessary. The most productive people accomplish more by doing less. They rest in Him.
Most importantly, allow the Lord to lead you by faith into a quiet place. Sit by the soothing silence of still waters and drink in the majesty of God’s creation. You know Jesus is leading you when you intentionally engage in solitude for the purpose of hearing His voice. Lie on His green grass and look up so your gaze is on God. Don’t resist the rest you require. Instead, cease and desist your activity and embrace and celebrate His rest. The grandeur of God’s glory comes down to care for you.
“When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
Do I voluntarily engage with eternity in quiet places? Does my life rhythm include rest?
Related Readings
Exodus 31:13; 2 Samuel 22:33-34; Zechariah 10:1; Romans 9:11
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional 2016).
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Post by Parker on Apr 22, 2023 7:30:30 GMT -8
Humbled by Ill-Health
Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
2 KINGS 5:13-14
Our hearts are softened when sickness seizes our bodies. A sensitivity and tenderness of heart that lay dormant may finally appear in the behavior of a controlling Christian. When a body is under fire from illness, it could be asking the soul to release control and cling to Christ. At first there may be an angry reaction, but eventually the will succumbs to a sense that God’s got it covered—He is in control. Faith in the face of fiery trials is the fruit of humility. Sickness is an invitation to submit to Jesus.
When our lives are smothered by clouds of uncertainty, we find opportunities to engage in acts of obedience. As we walk in humility, we listen for the Lord’s voice. He speaks through His Word and His Spirit, His teachers and preachers, His children, and experts in treating physical ailments. Prayer and modern medicine create a powerful partnership in producing positive outcomes. A humbled heart creates clarity of mind for wisdom in decision making. Humility invites healing.
“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him.
“Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.’
“Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses” (Luke 5:13-15).
Your cure may very well be different from another suffering saint’s cure. Mysteriously, your body may respond well to certain treatments while someone in a similar condition experiences a totally different result. So you pray, research, and trust the Spirit to lead you in the Lord’s plan for your body. Don’t miss the holistic approach of healing in your body, mind, will, emotions, and spirit. Humility is the gateway to God’s grace and wholeness.
Allow the Lord to use health issues to bring vulnerability and intimacy into your relationships. Be real about your fears and ill feelings. Allow friends to comfort you. Emotional awareness and engagement are healthy outcomes of a humbled heart. Renew your mind daily with the truth of Scripture and bend your will toward your biblical beliefs. Physical health is good, but spiritual wholeness is best. A humbled heart hears the Lord.
“LORD, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God.
Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior” (Psalm 38:21-22).
Heavenly Father, I humble my heart so I can hear from You and be healed.
Related Readings
Job 14:22; Psalm 38:6-8; Proverbs 17:22; Mark 7:37; 3 John 2
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 23, 2023 10:50:06 GMT -8
Healthy Nourishment
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
DANIEL 1:15-16
God wants His children to be good stewards of their bodies. The Creator of the body has defined dietary guidelines that have proven to be beneficial to physical health. Who would know better what to put into the mouth and ingest into the stomach than the One who made us? The original designer of an all-natural diet is the One who commands fruits, nuts, and vegetables to grow. A return to natural food is a return to the way the Lord expects us to steward the bodies He has given us.
In our youth, many of us had the physical capacity to eat a greater variety and quantity of food. However, as we grow older and gain wisdom (and weight!) we can make more educated food choices. Safe to say, whatever our stage of life, we are smart to be selective in what and how much we eat. Normally if we plan a menu in advance and dine at home, we have more control over our consumption of calories and nutrition.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Yes, partake in your Maker’s diet, and He will make you healthier than if you follow a haphazard approach to good eating. For example, focus on small portions of lean protein, such as beef, chicken, or fish, accompanied by a fresh salad, vegetables, and fruit. God may call you to be a vegetarian for a season to slow down your intake of meat.
Temperance tames your appetite. But be cautious—food obsessions can make the menu an idol. Start by simply consuming small amounts of fresh food. When you manage well the Holy Spirit’s temple (your body), you manage to feel better.
Limit the intake of beverages other than water. Any excessive drinking of soda, alcohol, coffee, tea, or juice will add too many calories, eventually contributing to obesity and disease. Liquid calories and nutritional values should be monitored with equal resolve as solid. In addition, keep an eye on your intake of sugar and sodium, as they are two unhealthy culprits at restaurants. Most of all, see yourself as a wise physical manager of your Creator’s body. Check out God’s specific guidelines in Leviticus 11 and Acts 10:9-16. Be like Daniel—keep your appetites under the Spirit’s control so others will take notice and ask you why.
“Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water” (Exodus 23:25).
Heavenly Father, I am grateful to You for creating my body. I want to follow Your guidelines for healthy eating.
Related Readings
Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Leviticus 11; Malachi 2:15; Acts 10:9-16; 1 Corinthians 6:13
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Apr 24, 2023 6:24:48 GMT -8
Emotional Health
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
PROVERBS 4:23
The condition of our hearts is an indicator of our emotional health. A wounded heart limps along, vulnerable to fatigue and frustration, while a healed heart can resist the wiles of the world. Healthy emotions heal. A strong heart has access to an abundance of grace, so its capacity to offer forgiveness and exercise patience is vast. Yes, the grace of God gives emotional health to all who engage it. When emotions are in good shape, we are in sync with the Spirit.
Just as we care for our physical health, so must we manage our emotional well-being. Checkups of the soul with a mature Jesus follower increase our understanding of where we stand. The expertise of a trusted spiritual advisor is necessary for us to be objective in our own emotional assessment. Just as physical trainers show us how to keep our bodies healthy with a balance of weights and cardio, so spiritual trainers give us insight in how to express our feelings and forgive personal offenses.
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45).
The Holy Spirit is the best manager of our emotions. Just as a successful coach leads a team to work together to win, so the Spirit leads our emotions to work together for God’s glory. When our emotions are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we walk in wholeness and holiness. Emotional health happens when our feelings are filtered by the Spirit. He removes distasteful impurities. Indeed, a heart controlled by the Spirit is able to give life to other lives.
How’s your heart? Are you keenly sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, or are you overly sensitive to fleshly feelings? Have your emotional wounds healed? Are you blessed with a healthy heart? Take a risk and be vulnerable about your past hurts so you can experience present healing. Surround yourself with caring Christ followers with whom you can process your feelings. Most of all, share your heart with your Savior Jesus, who will cleanse your heart, heal it, and make it whole.
“The LORD will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58:11).
Heavenly Father, I submit to Your Spirit—the manager and filter of my emotions.
Related Readings
2 Kings 10:31; Proverbs 10:11; John 20:22; Acts 2:33; Revelation 22:17
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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