“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” —1 Corinthians 9:22

In this moment I am drinking a cup of coffee with olive oil and cream. I just wanted to taste it for myself after reading that the world’s largest coffee chain is launching a line of olive oil-infused drinks in Italy. Starbucks is among the major U.S. businesses that have faced obstacles as they’ve tried to expand into the Italian food and drinks market. Italy’s coffee scene is famous for its independent and often family-run cafes, so the brand is not easily accepted.

It’s a bold move to reach the coffee market in Italy. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz seems determined to make it a success. I can appreciate his approach in saying, “We are not coming to teach Italians how to make coffee. We’re coming here with humility and respect, to show what we’ve learned.”

Imagine what kind of influence followers of Jesus could have in their everyday mission field if they were as motivated to reach people with the Gospel as Schultz is to reach every tribe of people with coffee. Schultz seems to have that Apostle Paul-like “whatever it takes” determination and the humble approach that doesn’t come across as condescending to the people he longs to reach.

Consider Paul’s missional zeal in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23…

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

Paul sought to win people to Jesus Christ by being sensitive to them culturally and identifying with them in his Gospel appeal. Paul was willing to do whatever it takes to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He also understood that our methodology is equally as important as the message itself. By accepting the fact that Paul appealed to different groups depending on the context doesn’t mean that we should assume he changed his doctrine. We know from his complete collection of writings that he was willing to offend people over the gospel, but only over the gospel, and not his approach or methodology.

Paul was free to do what he wanted (v. 19), but winning people to Jesus was far more important to him than using his freedom selfishly (v. 22). A condescending Christian isn’t going to have much influence in the world. Perhaps Paul would tip his hat to Mr. Schultz for his “all things to all people” approach. If he were going on a mission trip to Italy, he might even drink a cup of olive oil-infused coffee. Perhaps.

What might it look like in your life this week to be “all things to all people, that by all means” the people around you could have a viable opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Forget about all the cultural wars on social media, especially those sub-culture wars between Christians themselves arguing over which celebrity Christians are kosher and which ones need to be canceled, and just zero in on JESUS and the Good News He wants to emanate from your life. How is that to be fleshed out this week in you personally? In your day-to-day context? Think about it as you seek to abide in Him.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, everywhere I set foot is a mission field in which I need to be mindful about my approach in reaching others with the Gospel and appealing to them with the unadulterated Good News of Who Jesus is. Give me a passion for evangelism that is greater than Schultz’s passion to propagate coffee. Holy Spirit, empower me with boldness in my witness and guide me with wisdom in my approach, I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Application or Group Discussion:

1. Have you ever tried olive oil in your coffee? If so, what do you think about it?
2. What similarities do you see with Schultz’s mission and Paul’s mission?
3. How would you describe the passion of Paul, and why is it relevant to the church today?
4. Why is it important to share the Gospel with humility, “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)?
5. Have you lost your passion for the lost? Has “bad” evangelism diminished your enthusiasm for “pure” and biblical evangelism? How can you reclaim that missional passion for reaching the gospel-destitute around you with the Good News of Jesus?

The post Olive Oil Coffee and The Gospel appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” —Matthew 11:6

When Cindy and I first began dating back in January of 1996, I asked the Lord, “Is this the one I am going to marry?” It didn’t take long to figure that out. Less than a year later, we were on our honeymoon together in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She was truly “the one.”

In Matthew 11, John the baptizer sent his disciples to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” From passages like John 1:29-36, we see that John had already clearly identified Jesus as the Messiah, yet he struggles to reconcile his present circumstances of being imprisoned to his Messiah-like expectations for deliverance. If Jesus is truly the one, why am I suffering here in a prison cell? Why isn’t Israel being delivered from political tyranny? Why isn’t Jesus doing more?

Like many others in John’s day, the understanding of the Coming One’s arrival was that the Messiah would bring blessing on those who repented and judgment on those who rejected him. John is not seeing this from his shadowed perspective. Unfavorable circumstances may tempt us to doubt that God is for us, but that doesn’t change his promises. Worldly cultures may push for us to deconstruct our faith, but that pushback never for one millisecond reduces the truth of Who Jeus is. Jesus has withstood such hostilities from anti-Christian societies for more than two millennia now—and the Gospel is still going strong in the face of such opposition.

Jesus’ response to John’s tension was a beatitude of mild rebuke. After giving John’s people a snapshot of how the kingdom of God was indeed advancing through displays of mostly humble acts of service rather than spectacular political revolutions, Jesus tells them: “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” John and his disciples must be open to God’s unfolding plan, that even though things don’t seem to be going their way, things are certainly going God’s way.

Blessed is the one who doesn’t fall backwards in the trials of life, but falls forward leaning into grace through every doubt, frustration, disappointment, and setback. Or as Charles Spurgeon said, “Blessed is he who can be left in prison, can be silenced in his testimony, can seem to be deserted of his Lord, and yet can shut out every doubt. John speedily regained this blessedness, and fully recovered his serenity.”

It’s okay John, Jesus is still the one and you are indeed going to experience resurrection life. Though your prison cell screams of abandonment, your chains’ scream of heartbreak, and your future calls you to drink a cup of suffering through martyrdom, God’s redemptive plan is still unfolding and nothing can snatch you from the palm of God’s hand. Your eternity is secure. You don’t need to go looking for another.

Beloved, let John’s good news be your good news no matter what struggles and challenges tempt you to deconstruct your faith. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the good news we have in Jesus. All things will be made new and glorious in your perfect timing. Until that perfect reconciliation of everything in our lives, we trust you over our present circumstances and continue to rejoice in your unfolding plan of redemption. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. What do you suppose John might’ve been feeling while in prison?
2. What are some major causes of doubt and the deconstruction of faith in our times?
3. What does this passage reveal about the finite perspective of our human understanding?
4. What does this passage reveal about the character of Jesus? What does it reveal about the good news of the Gospel?
5. What might perseverance in your faith look like this week?

The post Shall We Look For Another? appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” —Ephesians 4:15

I started eating raw garlic every day for its amazing health benefits. That statement alone might make you want to take a couple of steps back. But I have also discovered that taking raw garlic with lemon juice significantly tempers raw garlic’s pungency and biting odor, making the digestive process more receptable without diminishing its nutritional potency. It’s as if the two were made for each other.

Do you know what else was made for each other? Truth and love.

Truth can often have an unsavory bite to it. It can even be unbearable for some who don’t want to change their ways. “You can’t handle the truth” is a gem that many quote from popular film culture—and one that came to my mind when trying to chew on garlic without lemon juice! Yet truth was never meant to be digested apart from its counterpart, which is love. In the context of church unity and spiritual maturity in Ephesians 4, Paul has a strong admonition for Christ-followers. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

When truth and love get divorced, the byproduct is Pharisaism. Paul knew that all too well, having himself been dramatically converted out of rigid adherence to Pharisaic “truthing” with no form of love attached to it. He wants the Ephesians to look more like disciples of Jesus than the legalistic crowd he used to run with. In addition to knowing and proclaiming the truth, the Ephesians must be a people characterized by love (John 13:34–35; 15:1–17). Paul understood that Jesus “came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), and that as His followers who are being conformed to His image (Romans 8:29), we should also have our lives characterized by grace and truth.

Some are all about love or grace without truth. “We just love and accept everybody as they are,” they say while never speaking any ounce of truth that transforms a person. That may have a pleasing aroma to it, but it has zero potency for growth or maturity. Imagine a doctor who knew the remedy for a debilitating disease but refused to prescribe it because it might be offensive to the patient. That isn’t a loving doctor. That’s a fraud being set up for malpractice.

We don’t truly love people if we don’t deem them worthy enough to know the truth that sets them free. We don’t truly love the lost if we are more concerned about them being unoffended than we are of them being born again. Gospel truth, motivated by love for God and love for people, seeks edification and maturity even when it requires the hard stuff of correction and discipline. This kind of self-sacrificial love works for the benefit of the loved one.

Several verses later Paul writes, “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). Our conversations should always be seasoned with grace in a manner that clearly and unapologetically communicates both truth and love (1 John 4:10–12). What will that look like this week around your family meals or small group gatherings, conversations in the workplace, interactions with neighbors, or those debates with colleagues who have opposing worldviews? Think about it as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me with unconditional agape love. You have always loved me despite my mess, but loved me too much to leave me in my mess. Freedom, deliverance, transformation, growth, and maturity are all part of following the Christ who came in both grace and truth. Holy Spirit, show me areas where I need to receive truth for correction, and help me to walk in love as I share that truth with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. When have you seen truth and love divorced? What have been the effects of that?
2. What truths are hard for you to receive, even though you know they are good for you?
3. From the reading of today’s text (Ephesians 4:11-32), how would you summarize God’s heart for the church?
4. Are there experiences/episodes/seasons you need to lament, grieve, or even repent over failing to walk in truth and love as a follower of Jesus?
5. How is the Holy Spirit leading you to speak the truth in love this week? Is there a difficult conversation you need to have with someone?

The post The Power of Garlic, Truth and Love appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”—Galatians 1:23

“What’s your wish?”

When the creator and co-founder of a nonprofit that helps fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses was asked that question, he responded: “To have my story told…” Wish Man, the biographical film based on the life of Frank Shankwitz, became the fulfillment of that wish.

Shankwitz was a motorcycle cop with a troubled past who survived a near-fatal accident during a high-speed pursuit, and was left searching for the meaning of his life. As part of his rehabilitation, he reluctantly took on the assignment of spending time with a 7-yr old boy dying of leukemia, whose only wish was to be a Highway Patrol motorcycle officer. An unlikely friendship is born… and so is a hero.

That Arizona police officer later told a group of colleagues, “I’ve been a fighter all my life, and I’m tired of not knowing what to fight for.” He then announced a new path for his life, starting a nonprofit organization. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was conceived, and 40 years later, with the help of tens of thousands of volunteers, every 34 minutes a wish is granted for a child diagnosed with a critical illness.

It’s tragic to be a “fighter” and not know “what to fight for.” Fortunately, Shankwitz found his purpose. His story reminds me of another “fighter” who needed to find his real purpose in life. Saul was a first century religious zealot who was obsessed with fighting the wrong battles. He was persecuting early Christians and seeking to annihilate their mission and censor their message. But that all changed when he encountered God on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).

Saul had a life-changing and literal “eye-opening” experience, realized he was on the wrong side of history, converted to Jesus, and consequently spent the rest of his life fighting the right cause. In Galatians 1:13-16, he writes:

“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone…”

Paul’s dying “wish” can be summed up in these words: “If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). His story reminds us that it’s never too late to start fighting the right battles, no matter how long we’ve been on the wrong side of the fight. It takes humility to admit you have been on the wrong path and turn your life over to Jesus, but it is always worth it. Paul’s wish also reveals that no matter how badly we have messed up in the past or hurt others, God’s grace is greater. The gospel still has power, the cross still declares forgiveness, the truth still sets people free, and the stories can still be redeemed, offering testimonies of God’s grace for others to find hope in Jesus.

Where have you been fighting the wrong battles? Is God revealing to you a change in direction you need to take? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the life-changing message of the cross and the power to change. Holy Spirit, reveal any battles in our lives that we have been fighting in vain or for the wrong purposes, and teach us how to fight the good fight that you have ordained. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Wish Man: Fighting the Wrong Battles appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” —Psalm 130:4

A man was struggling with a particular failure in his life when he told a friend, “I think I have ruined God’s plan for my life.” The friend graciously replied, “Do you really think you are that powerful?”

If you feel like a failure, you’re in the same shoes that Peter once owned, figuratively speaking of course. Peter’s whole life seems like an object lesson for so-called idiots, who tried to follow Jesus but really blew it. He must’ve surely felt like he ruined his relationship with Jesus when he denied knowing Him to others. Perhaps you can relate. That’s why I love what happens in the last chapter of John’s gospel, following the darkest chapter in Peter’s life.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t give a sermon to the world, He went and made breakfast for His friends—a disgraced Peter and the other disciples. Over a little campfire by the sea, Jesus shows Peter an ocean of grace. That kindness of the Savior leads to Peter’s repentance, restoration, and redemption. And we know the rest of Peter’s story!

Never let your past failure keep you from your future YOU. Wherever you’re at in your walk with God, look to the cross. That’s where Jesus paid the ultimate price for our disobedience. The writer of Hebrews tells us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles us and to “fix” our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). That Greek word “fix” means “to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something else.” By turning from our sin and failure, and looking to the Author and Finisher of our story, we find a fresh start in our walk with Christ.

Remember, failure isn’t a big enough bully to intimidate the stature of God’s forgiveness. Or as the song goes, “Our sins are many, His mercy is more.” There will never be a moment in your life when Jesus regrets forgiving you. He knows you fully, and loves you beyond your worst of days. That is Good News to think about as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your kindness that leads to repentance. My sins have been many, but your mercy is more. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus and His atoning work on the cross, as I turn away from my sin, my shame, my disgrace, and all my failures. This is only possible because of the riches of your mercy and the fact that YOU are greater than my failure. Help me to live this good news by the power of your indwelling Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Feeling Like You Failed Jesus? appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” —Colossians 3:4

My fourth great grandfather, Reverend Ulrich Keener, was a Methodist circuit-riding preacher and the first resident missionary to the Cherokee. He served the Echota Mission, a church-boarding school established in 1850 for Indians remaining after “The Trail of Tears.” Many Indians were brought to Christ through his preaching and teaching. The little log cabin parsonage he lived in and taught from still stands today as a tribute to his life and ministry, as he is still endeared by the Cherokee people.

I love the beauty in which the Annals of Southern Methodism describe his readiness to meet Jesus after a debilitating lung disease brought him to his last hours on earth:

“For some three years past he labored under a wasting disease of the lungs. The disease was so slow in its progress, that his death was not expected, till the Sabbath evening before he died on Thursday, though he was fully prepared to meet it. He told his family often to indulge no fears with regard to his future welfare — that he was going to heaven. He said to all with whom he conversed, that his joys were not so ecstatic as many seemed to have, but the ‘all was well’ — that he could look on his grave with as much composure as he did upon his bed — that death had no terrors for him. He only requested his family not to grieve for him; but to meet him in heaven. He also desired his brethren in the ministry to know how he died, be faithful, and meet him in heaven, and on the 21st August he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, and now rests from his labors and sufferings.” (1857, p. 290)

I don’t know if there is a greater testimony of our faith than the readiness to meet Jesus at any moment. It was that kind of readiness that marked early believers and martyrs who died for the faith, and the exact principle that Jesus taught in The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25).

To teach His listeners a lesson about “the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus used the analogy of ten bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom and the traditional wedding feast that followed. Five of the virgins were wise, bringing oil for their ceremonial lamps or torches. The other five were foolish, bringing no oil. As the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. At midnight, there was a cry that the bridegroom was coming and all were to come out to meet him. They all rose to trim their lamps, but only the five wise bridesmaids were able to light theirs. Only “those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.” Though the five foolish bridesmaids still knocked, “Lord, lord, open to us,” the bridegroom answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”

If we are not fully ready to meet Jesus face to face today, then something is lacking in our lamps. Something of the world still has a hold on us. We may not even have the “oil” of a sincere faith. We do well to observe that the foolish bridesmaids had an “appearance” of being in the wedding party, dressing accordingly and carrying lamps. But they learned tragically that the oil wasn’t something they could attain vicariously through others (the wise bridesmaids).

Imagine how many foolish bridesmaids today are dressed for the party—adorned in religious activity, attending church services, singing the songs, and having all of the Sunday School answers, but are lacking a REAL relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. We might’ve grown up in a Christian home, or attended “churchy” programs all throughout our childhood, but we can never be ready to meet Jesus “vicariously” through the faith of our parents, grandparents, or others. Our faith in Jesus must become “our own” faith, by allowing this Bridegroom of heaven to own us. We can only be ready for the kingdom of heaven by having oil in our lamp, or in other words, a genuine relationship with the King of this kingdom.

Followers of Jesus are to have a “kingdom” perspective and spiritual watchfulness, living our lives with the hope of heaven and a readiness to lay down our lives until we get there. And when it’s time to go, may nothing of this present age rival Jesus by having a hold on us. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Jesus, we live for your kingdom in the here and now and trust you to keep our hearts always prepared for your return and our glorious triumph from this world to the next. In your name we pray, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection or group discussion:

1. When was a time you were late to an important event, and why were you delayed?
2. How did the bridegroom respond when some virgins wanted to come to the wedding late? (Matthew 25:12) With what warning did Jesus conclude this parable? Why? (v.13)
3. What responsibility does each Christian have before God? Why is continual preparation for Christ’s return better than “last minute cramming”?
4. Why do we tend to think (and act like) we have all the time in the world to get ready for Christ’s return? What does this passage say about the need for individual readiness?
5. What spiritual preparation do you need to make in order to “keep watch”? How can you change your mindset this week to reflect your belief in the imminent return of Christ?

Subscribe to “Abiding In Him” and get the latest devotional in your Inbox once a week.

The post The Greatest Testimony of Your Faith appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” —Psalm 145:9 

At just 6-years old and without a pair of shoes to her name, Mary Dobkin was found nearly dead from frostbite and exposure on the streets of Baltimore. This abandoned Russian immigrant child couldn’t speak English and became a ward of the city. She spent much of her remaining childhood in hospitals, enduring a long series of operations, including the amputation of both feet and part of one leg. After leaving the hospital as a young adult she said,  

“If God was good enough to let me live… I would work for children for the rest of my life.” 

Dobkin learned English from a radio in her hospital room, which was also close to the Baltimore Orioles stadium. Hearing the excitement of the crowds at the ballpark sparked her interest in baseball. She fell passionately in love with the game, learning to catch and hit in therapy camp from her wheelchair, and later started a baseball program in her public housing neighborhood for inner city and at-risk children. She coached the game, raised funds for equipment and uniforms, and was the first coach to integrate a team racially and the first to play a girl on a team. “Aunt Mary,” as she affectionately became called by the kids, also threw an annual Christmas party for disadvantaged children in her neighborhood.  

In time, the Mary Dobkin Athletic Club reached over 50,000 Baltimore children, with some of her players going on to play in the majors. However, the kids Mary chose to talk about most were wearing a different kind of uniform. “We’ve had kids on my teams become doctors and lawyers and 35 police. Imagine 35 police. You should have seen what cop-haters a lot of them were… But my greatest joy is the boys who are now grown up and bringing their own kids to practice. Some of them are my best coaches.”  

In 1979, Aunt Mary threw out the first pitch in Game 6 of the World Series, and two of her players were honorary bat boys for the game. The same year, a television movie was released about her life, influence, and legacy.  

In response to His goodness, Mary Dobkin made good on her promise to God in that hospital room in Baltimore. In Psalm 145, an ancient king in Israel took time to reflect on the goodness of God and its worthy response from our lives. The psalmist said, “Every day I will bless you… The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” We are encouraged to praise God for His greatness, His graciousness, and His faithfulness, and to “pour forth the fame” of His abundant goodness. In the words of an old hymn, we are urged, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” 

The psalmist appears to see himself as a “debtor” to the goodness of God, declaring, “One generation shall commend your works to another… They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness… to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds.” In what ways has the goodness of God left you a debtor to the Creator and His creation? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.  

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, your goodness has been running after me all my life. It is an appropriate response for me to count my many blessings, to praise you daily, and to commend your works to others. Help me to reflect on where you have lifted me, so that by your Spirit I can help lift others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.     

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. How do you feel when you tell someone about what God has done for you? 

2. What should motivate God’s people to praise the Lord? (Psalm 145:1-21) 

3. What responsibility do God’s people have to tell others of God’s goodness? (vv. 4-12) 

4. How has the Lord demonstrated His goodness toward you? 

5. What responsibility do we have to tell others about what God has done for us? 

Subscribe to “Abiding In Him” and get the latest devotional in your Inbox once a week.

The post Aunt Mary and The Goodness of God appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.” —1 Kings 20:28 

It was the quickest overtime game in NFL history. In January of 2012, Tim Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard touchdown pass to give the Denver Broncos a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before making his way to the postgame press conference, Tebow was stopped by a public relations person, who explained to him what just occurred.  

“I don’t think you realize what happened,” said the PR guy. “During the game you threw for 316 yards, your yards per rush were 3.16, your yards per completion were 31.6, the ratings for the game were 31.6, and the time of possession was 31:06.” During the game, 90 million people had already Googled “John 3:16”—a favorite Bible verse of Tebow—and it was the number one thing trending on Facebook and Twitter.  

“A lot of people will say it’s coincidence,” Tebow acknowledged. “I say big God.” 

The Steelers never imagined that Tebow could beat them with the air game, as they were confident the Broncos could only run the ball. They were stunned in defeat. 

In 1 Kings 20, Ben-Hadad and the officials of his Aramean army had a similar presumption that left them stunned in the end. They believed of Israel, “Their gods are gods of the hills… But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.” Yet an unnamed prophet stepped up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’” 

Seven days later, the battle was joined and the Israelites inflicted a hundred thousand casualties on the Aramean foot soldiers in one day, while the rest escaped to the city of Aphek, where a wall collapsed on twenty-seven thousand of them. God showed up strong and the Arameans learned Who was sovereign that day! 

Regardless of what your adversary might presume about you, your faith, or your God, The Great I Am has a long and flawless track record of showing up strong and proving His omnipotence. Unlike those lifeless pagan gods, He is the living GOD of the hills and the valleys. He’s not just Lord in prosperity and plenty, but in hardship and famine. He’s not just Lord when the journey is filled with joy, but just as faithful in seasons of suffering. He’s not just Lord in marital bliss, but also in times of relational stress. He’s not just Lord when your health is favorable, He is also Lord in the valley of sickness. 

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never cease to demonstrate that He is Lord of both the hills and the valleys of our lives, and the victory He brings will inevitably and ultimately be stunning! Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, your word is life and truth. Thank you for the promise that your presence and sovereignty have no limitations in our lives. There is no valley too low for you to grace with your goodness toward us. You are worthy of our worship, in Jesus’ name, Amen.     

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. In what times or circumstances do you tend to get most discouraged? 

2. What was Ahab’s predicament when Ben-Hadad besieged Samaria? (1 Kings 20:1-3) What did one of God’s prophets tell Ahab about the outcome of the ensuing battle? (v. 13) 

3. What did Ben-Hadad assume about his ability to subdue Israel? (v. 18) 

4. Why did God determine that He would cause the small army of Israel to defeat the large army of Arameans on the plains? (v. 28) 

5. In what valleys of your life right now do you need to trust God’s sovereignty? 

Subscribe to “Abiding In Him” and get the latest devotional in your Inbox once a week.

The post God of The Hills and The Valleys appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5 

Don’t we all love a gift—especially when that gift has the propensity to add value to our everyday lives and the lives of those around us? When I browse through our family collection of digital photos from over the years, I am grateful for the gift of a camera. That gift has enabled our family to capture so many precious memories that we cherish together today. It’s been a gift that keeps on giving.  

It was in a dream by night that the Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon saying, “Ask what I shall give you.” Now that’s what I call a blank check! Solomon could’ve asked for anything conceivable, big or small from the Lord. He could’ve easily rationalized asking for material things because he had many mouths to feed. He could’ve asked for national security, with such a vast kingdom being a target for unknown hostiles. Yet we find him here praying one of the most humble prayers in all of scripture: 

“And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:7–9) 

Solomon sees himself as a “little child,” inadequate and insufficient as a leader, in view of the great task ahead of him. He didn’t even know how to go out or come in, and look at how that childlike naivety steers his petition. He asks for an “understanding mind” to govern the people, that he may “discern between good and evil.” Solomon was offered anything he could possibly wish for and what is his big ask?  

Wisdom! 

How many people do you know who would’ve written out their blank check that way? God was so pleased and moved by Solomon’s petition that He granted him exactly what he asked for and so much more, promising him long life, riches, and honor on top of all that wisdom and discernment. God could see that this wasn’t just a petition meant to impress or manipulate, but it was the sincerest sentiment of Solomon’s childlike heart. He was humble and wanted to lead well.   

As you navigate people you are responsible for through challenging waters, or seek to move your family forward in troubling and uncertain times, what is your big ask from the Lord? Wisdom is that exhaustless gift offered to us in the same sufficiency as grace: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Wisdom is a key that unlocks many other gifts in our lives, and don’t you love that it says God offers it without finding fault?! Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.  

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, like Solomon, we cannot live on yesterday’s experience alone. We need today’s wisdom. We ask you for a fresh outpouring of wisdom and discernment in our hearts, to know your will and do you will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.    

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. If you had to stand trial, what qualities would you value most in a judge?  

2. What did Solomon find humbling about being king? (1 Kings 3:7-8) What request did Solomon make of God and for what purpose? (v. 9) How did God feel about what Solomon had chosen to request? (v. 10)  

3. What difference did it make that Solomon asked God for wisdom? (vv. 10-14) What did God promise to Solomon that he had not asked for? (v. 13)  

4. Given the opportunity to ask God “for whatever you want [Him] to give you,” what sort of request would you expect from our human nature? Why are awe and humility appropriate reactions to the responsibility of governing a nation or being responsible for leading others? 

5. What practical steps can you take to place a higher value on wisdom this coming week? How can you seek God’s wisdom as a matter of habit?  

Subscribe to “Abiding In Him” and get the latest devotional in your Inbox once a week.

The post What Have You Been Asking From God? appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” —Acts 22:16 

This past week I had the honor of baptizing 6 youths at our summer camp for children affected by parental incarceration. It was a special moment during the baptism celebration when one of the youths, who had spent time in juvenile detention last year, addressed the entire camp saying, “Y’all are family to me now!”  

After working with at-risk youth for nearly thirty years now, I’ve observed that young people will often rise to the level of expectation of those they have in their corner. As a former troubled teenager myself, I know from personal experience the life-changing difference that one mentor made in restoring my dignity, drawing out my potential, and urging me to follow God’s call on my life.  

As Paul shared his testimony before an angry mob in Acts 22, he spoke of the one person who stood in his corner while most of the other Christians remained skeptical about whether or not his Damascus Road conversion was legitimate.  

Paul pointed to Ananias, a devout man, as that person who “came to me,” and was “standing by me” amidst the skeptics (v.13). Ananias urged Paul, “Why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (v.16). Ananias was in Paul’s corner, accepting him while others rejected him (2 Timothy 4:16) and urging him to take those essential next steps in following his calling.  

That same Paul would later go on to write a blueprint for how to encourage others by standing in their corner… 

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:1-7) 

In humility, whose interests do you need to look out for this week? Whose corner do you need to stand in this week? It’s not just troubled teenagers who need someone in their corner. Your child might need a fresh tangible expression of knowing you are in their corner right now. Maybe your spouse, a neighbor, or a coworker really needs affirmation that you are in their corner. Perhaps a person you haven’t spoken to in a long while really needs to hear from you right now.  

Pray about that and look for intentionality in how to be someone else’s “Ananias” as you seek to abide in Christ this week.  

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you have been so good to me, positioning people in my life and putting those in my path who  exhort me in my discipleship journey of following Jesus. Help me to be intentional as someone else’s Ananias in similar fashion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. Who has been in your corner when you really needed someone? 

2. What is really significant to you about Paul’s testimony? 

3. To whom do you need to serve as an Ananias this week? 

Subscribe to “Abiding In Him” and get the latest devotional in your Inbox once a week.

The post Whose Corner Do You Need To Be In Right Now? appeared first on Jimmy Larche.