“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” —John 14:6

Issues of inclusion and exclusion lie at the heart of our society’s most contested social issues. I find it ironic that today some of the most self-proclaimed inclusion advocates have little room in their world for people of differing views. It seems that the people boasting the loudest about their own “inclusiveness,” are the same ones having their list of social “acceptables” getting smaller by the day.

Here is the question that none of us can avoid: Is Jesus inclusive or exclusive? The answer is both. Jesus was indeed the most inclusive person ever to walk this earth. From the lowliest outcast to the wealthiest and most corrupt (think Zacchaeus), and every social class in between, Jesus made room at the table for every person He encountered. No one in the history of the world has ever been more inclusive to people who have messed up their own lives, than the person of Jesus. Not one repentant sinner has He ever shunned or rejected— “whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). Not one!

In other words, the Gospel is entirely inclusive—Christ offered truth, forgiveness, freedom, peace, and reconciliation with God to every single person on the planet. Unfortunately, most people will never take Him up on this offer. Jesus himself said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Though no one in history has ever been more inclusive of sinners than Jesus, neither has any person on this planet ever been more intolerant of sin. Jesus—perfectly divine—cannot be holy and tolerant of sin at the same time.

The incarnation is most indubitably God’s manifest salvation for every sinner, which includes all of us (Romans 3:23). However, Christ’s incarnation has never been about God’s “tolerance of sin” wrapped in human flesh. On the contrary, it is God’s intolerance of sin that brought about Jesus’ manifestation in human form and sentenced Him to a substitutionary death (see Romans 3:20; 5:8, and 2 Corinthians 5:21). God didn’t sweep our sin under the rug; He condemned it on the cross. If God could “tolerate” sin, Jesus would’ve never needed to die on the cross. Therefore, it was His intolerance that did the dirty work of atonement. The reason why we can be accepted by God as undeserving sinners, is the fact that God didn’t tolerate our sin, but rather dealt with it justly on the cross. Our holy and righteous God, whose “eyes are too pure to look on evil” and “cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Habakkuk 1:13), made a way for our sin to be atoned for and obliterated once and for all through the sacrificial death of Jesus.

The blood of Jesus carries the only merit for our salvation, which means Christ has an exclusive monopoly on the path to being reconciled with God. This Christ said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The scandal of Christianity is that Jesus is the only way. The early disciples proclaimed: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” and “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Some will be offended by the inclusivity of Jesus. Others will be offended by the exclusivity of Jesus. He is in that sense, doubly offensive. In either offense, the root is a heart issue that refuses to acknowledge one’s own sin. In other words, the only way the Gospel isn’t good news to you is if you think you are good enough, righteous enough, or pure enough in your own flesh that you don’t need a Savior. This is the kind of pride that a holy, just, and inclusive God finds utterly offensive.

Consider: Jesus is the most inclusive person ever. But He still offends people. Jesus also couldn’t have been more exclusive with the truth that He is the only the way to God. And this still offends people. It is human pride that brings about the offense, not the measure of inclusivity or exclusivity of Jesus. Don’t aim to win the award for being the most inclusive person (Jesus already owns that!). Don’t fear being labeled an exclusive person (Jesus already has a monopoly on that!). Focus on the more eternally significant issue of being a faithful follower of Jesus. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me not to fret over being inclusive or exclusive. Jesus continues to offend folks who think He is too much of one or the other, and as I follow Him, I too will be found offensive. Remind me there are no rewards in heaven for being praised by man, only rewards for being faithful to You. Help me to be faithful, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. In our modern society, what is a picture of inclusivity? Exclusivity?
2. What makes people more conscious of being labeled “inclusive” or “exclusive” rather than simply being Christ-conscious?
3. What is the Good News of today’s text in John 14? Is there a beauty in this passage as it pertains to Christ’s exclusive promise?
4. In what ways can you become more Christ-conscious, rather than living in conscious fear of how people are labeling you?
5. Is there a sin of pride, self-sufficiency, or fear of man that you need to confess to God?

The post Jesus is the Most Inclusive and Most Exclusive appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” —Psalm 69:32 (NLT)

In the year 1999, I was staying at a pastor’s home in North Wales who was well known to the locals inside and outside the church. As I slept with the windows open, late in the night some drunk teenagers came staggering down the street singing loud parodies in a clinker of an attempt to mock the preacher. Though their clamorous rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” surely wasn’t going to be nominated for any Grammy awards, that didn’t keep this makeshift street choir from entertaining and amusing themselves along the way. I was waiting for the preacher to wake up, go out and pull an “Elisha” on them by calling two she-bears out of the woods to “quiet” the frivolous youths. But he just slept on… peacefully.

In Psalm 69, David cries out to God for help because his enemies have overwhelmed him. They “hate him without cause” and “attack him with lies” (v. 4), while taking advantage of his suffering. Like my pastor friend in North Wales, even “the drunkards make songs” about him (v. 12). David begins his lament using the metaphor of “sinking” to describe his feelings of “weariness” over “waiting for my God” (v. 3).

Have you ever felt like that? Can you identify with David as one who is crying out for justice and waiting on God while the choirboys of injustice seem to have the loudest voice?

As the attacks pile on, so do David’s pleas for God to show up. Though we never see a shift in David’s circumstances throughout this Psalm, we do see a progression of David’s tune and a shift in the melody of his heart. He goes from one who feels overwhelmed and sinking to one who is “praising” God with a song and “magnifying” the LORD with “thanksgiving.” It culminates with a grand vision of salvation as all of heaven and earth, and everything that moves in the seas, is in a chorus of praise at the wonders of God. A key verse (v. 32) is when David states:

“When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”

Here we find the contingency to revival: “when the humble see it.” The shift doesn’t take place when the attacks cease or when the circumstances change, but when the perspective shifts—when the worshiper sees “it.”

What is it?

“It” is the better story that God is writing through Jesus. Psalm 69 points to Jesus. Jesus also was hated without cause (John 15:23-25). Just as David was “zealous” for God’s glory and suffered “the reproaches of those who reproach” God (v. 9), these were prophecies fulfilled in Christ (John 2:13-17, Romans 15:3). Additionally, the picture portraying the fate of David’s enemies (v. 22-23) is a foretelling of what becomes of Jesus’ adversaries (Romans 11:5-10).

The beauty from ashes, or shall we say the redemption from the “deep mire,” in Psalm 69, is that God’s Word is true and eternal. The “better story” God is writing has been scripted by centuries of prophetic truths fulfilled in Christ, confirmed by archaeological discoveries, and upheld by endless historical facts. Our faith need not be shaken by any momentary circumstances, for we know our timeless Redeemer lives. Justice is coming, and this truth can help us to even embrace our enemies and love the undeserving along the way. For that is the story of us all—sinners undeserving of God’s love, mercy, and kindness, yet beneficiaries of His amazing grace.

Are you letting the parodies of your circumstances sing louder than the melody of your praise? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive me for allowing my circumstances to dictate emotional responses rather than channeling my faith to dictate praise responses. Holy Spirit, teach me to abide in your Truth, and revive my heart with the same hope of the psalmist when he sang of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty over creation. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection and/or Group Discussion:

1. When was the last time you felt like you were sinking in the “deep” of your circumstances?
2. Can you relate to the psalmist’s confession of feeling “weary” with waiting for God?
3. Where have you been allowing a certain circumstance to dictate emotional responses, instead of channeling your faith to dictate praise responses over that situation?
4. What can this psalm reveal about us (our sin, our brokenness, our humanity), the sovereignty of God, and the Good News we have in Jesus?
5. What specific response is the Holy Spirit leading you to take regarding this psalm?

The post Drunk Street Choir, Deep Mire, and Waiting on God appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” —Romans 4:20

When I played high school football, our coaches weren’t just watching what happened on the practice field when making decisions about who the starters would be. They also paid attention to the weight room. Coaches understand that serious athletes will also be dedicated in the weight room, working hard to get stronger. The athletes who really wanted to add more muscle were not content with lifting the same amount of weight every session, they constantly had to add a little more than they had previously lifted to achieve their goals.

I think Paul had spiritual muscles in mind when he said, “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” That’s why he prefaced this “godliness-in-light-of-eternity” kind of living with: “Train yourself for godliness.” Training requires effort. It’s been said that grace isn’t opposed to effort, it’s opposed to earning. We can’t earn our position with Christ, but we are expected to put forth “effort” in our discipleship workouts if we want to grow. Plus, we have the best Personal Trainer we could ever imagine in the Holy Spirit!

God wants to build your faith muscles—the capacity to trust Him more than you’ve ever trusted Him, because “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). God isn’t much glorified when you exercise yourself only on the basis of what you can see, what you can figure out, what you can pull off, or what you can explain only in the natural realm. God’s will requires moving by faith, which by His own definition is: “being certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

So how does God help you build more faith muscles so you can win greater victories than ever before? By giving you something to lift that is heavier than you’ve had to lift before. Think about how God continually used Abraham as an example of a life of faith. He was seventy-five years old when the Lord promised to make him the “father of many nations,” and he was a hundred years old when Isaac—the child of promise—was born. Talk about adding weight to the bench-press of life in old age—God was defying all reproductive biology while ol’ Abe was already looking at brochures for assisted living facilities. God is never done building our faith muscles! NEVER!

Look at what God’s Word teaches us about Abraham’s faith:

“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’ But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” —Romans 4:19-25

I love that Paul added that these things “were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also.” Faith-building isn’t just for the “father of faith,” but for all who will take up the journey of following Jesus daily. Like Abraham, we don’t deny the daunting realities of what appears impossible with our situation. But acknowledging those obstacles doesn’t diminish our faith, either.

You can trust the promise of your Personal Trainer. He will never give you more weight than you can handle. But He will give you something heavier than you lifted before, not because He is unhappy with you, but because He loves you enough to help you become stronger than you’ve ever been before. He’s growing your faith for something bigger. Think about that as you seek to abide in His weight room this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you are faithful and true. None of your promises ever fail. I acknowledge the daunting realities of my current circumstances, but just like Abraham, that acknowledgement doesn’t weaken my faith. I believe you are still the God who saves, heals, delivers, provides, and shows up bigger than life. Holy Spirit, teach me how to abide in your weight room, as I exercise my faith amidst the daily stuff of life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Application or Group Discussion:

1. What is one of the heaviest loads you have ever had to carry?
2. What is stirred in your heart when you think about the story of Abraham and Sarah?
3. Abraham considered (faced the facts) of his old age and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb, yet still grew strong in his faith. What can that teach us?
4. God has promised to never put on us more than we can handle. How does that speak to your circumstances right now?
5. What might God be telling you to do right now that will require your faith muscles to be stretched in ways they have never been stretched before?

The post A Reason for Your Heavy Load appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

I’ve heard of many people breaking out of prisons. But while doing a sports camp in Germany a few years back, I heard about a teenager who broke into a German prison to try and win back his ex-girlfriend who had broken up with him by phone. The 18-year-old scaled a 4-meter (13-foot) wall to get to his ex’s window before prison officials intercepted the man. The fire service had to be called in to bring him down with a ladder. I don’t know if he succeeded in winning back the heart of the young woman, but he certainly has a story to tell his grandchildren one day!

The prophet Hosea went through uncommon measures of his own to try and win back his promiscuous wife, who was repeatedly unfaithful to him. It’s one of those crazy love stories in the Bible in which God uses Hosea and Gomer’s relationship as an object lesson to show how Israel had sinned against the Lord by following other gods, and how God remains faithful even when His people are unfaithful. God called Hosea to do something very uncomfortable—to love an unfaithful wife. Hosea was put in the place where he would feel what God feels when we sin against Him, and it would hurt very much like infidelity hurts the victim of an adulterous marriage.

Imagine waking up one day, grabbing a cup of coffee, opening your Bible for your quiet time and suddenly hearing what you assume is God telling you to go and marry a prostitute. You’d probably want to really talk that out with a multitude of wise counsellors before going through with it. I’d hope so! Yet this is not far from Hosea’s reality. God gave him a very strange command: “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).

Some scholars believe that Gomer was a harlot or that she had been guilty of numerous sexual sins before she married Hosea, while others hold that the description “promiscuous” was more prophetic—that is, God’s command anticipated her infidelity, and only later did she become an adulteress. Either way, this is a radical trajectory of Hosea’s life. As strange as it was, Hosea obeyed God. He married Gomer and they conceived two sons and a daughter. But after bearing children, Gomer left Hosea for another man (or, if she was originally a prostitute, to return to her former lifestyle).

Amazingly, God gave Hosea another command: “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods” (Hosea 3:1). Again, Hosea obeyed, this time buying his wife back with fifteen shekels of silver and some barley. This brand of loyalty and purchase of redemption—undeterred by Gomer’s unfaithfulness—is not only a picture of God’s unconditional love toward us in our “prone to wander” ways, but a vivid illustration of the price Jesus Christ has paid in full for the redemption of our sins through his blood on the cross. Hosea’s radical obedience points to Jesus’ radical sacrifice for us.

Consider this, beloved: God’s scandalous “object-lesson” in demonstrating His unconditional love for ancient Israel at the expense of Hosea, should fill us with much hope and gratitude. God loves us too infinitely to leave us to our own demise. Jesus has paid too great a price for us to just leave us wandering in our idolatry or stuck in the mire of our sin. He will not give up on us. Aren’t you glad God does not treat us as our sin deserves (Ps. 103:10)? For He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore: “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (Hosea 2:19–20). Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you are worthy of our worship, devotion, and faithfulness. Yet too often we fail you. We wander. We are not much different from Gomer. But the Good News is that you have loved us unconditionally and paid a steep price for our redemption. Help us to respond to your scandalous grace in a manner that is fitting, to always turn our hearts back to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. What is the craziest thing you have ever done for love?
2. When has God called you to uncomfortable obedience, perhaps to have your heart broken by the things that break His heart?
3. In what ways does Gomer symbolize us? In what ways does Hosea symbolize Jesus?
4. Where have you given yourself to idolatry or spiritual adultery (James 4:4)?
5. What will you do this week to respond to God’s scandalous love for you? How will you worship Him? How will you demonstrate His love toward others?

The post Hosea and The Scandalous Love of God 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? 

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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? 

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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?  

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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? 

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

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…” (Philippians 2:5–7)

We live in a society where people are obsessed with titles, yet a title never defines a true leader.

Titles might make us feel important. They can speak of rank and symbolize positional authority. Titles give us the appearance of looking more credible, accomplished, influential, or even more powerful. But titles are not a litmus for true leadership. In fact, many people with titles are not leading well, while others without titles are leading and influencing in ways Jesus prescribed for His followers (see John 13:1-17, Luke 22:25-27).

David was demonstrating real leadership in Israel long before he was ever given a title. He was no West Point dignitary the day he took on the mighty Goliath and handed his people a great victory—just a ruddy teenager who had been with God. He didn’t have a military rank, as did the others standing on the sideline of the battle in fear. His courageous leadership came not from an elite position, but from an abiding union with God. Years later, when he was finally crowned king over the entire house of Israel, the biblical writer gives us this account:

[1] Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. [2] In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” [3] So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. [4] David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

(2 Samuel 5:1-4)

Did you notice the contrast? It says that Saul had a title (“king”) but it was David who “led out and brought in Israel.” Long before David became king over Israel, he had been leading and shepherding without any positional authority. There are many ways that you can be a leader without a title, but every one of them will require humility and the willingness to “empty” ourselves of selfish ambition.

You have to be content with influencing and inspiring without getting the recognition, mobilizing and helping people succeed without receiving something in return, and serving others for no other benefit than simply their wellbeing and enrichment. As President John Quincy Adams put it: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

We are all capable of leading without a title or positional authority. We can start where David started. Whether he was keeping the sheep all alone in the pastures, confronting a bully in the community, or later mobilizing teams on military missions, he always practiced a deep and abiding union with God, which kept him humble and ready to serve others in ways that were rare and countercultural. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to get beyond our need for titles, positions, ranks, and recognition. Satiate our hearts with that unadulterated passion to simply love You and serve others well, from a sincere and genuine posture of humility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. In your life, who has been a person that has influenced you and led well without an official title? How did they do it? What were their characteristics?
2. How can titles be healthy or unhealthy forms of identity? Take some time to ponder some of the positive things that titles represent, while also considering some of the negative things they can produce in our human nature.
3. Of what common history did the leaders of Israel remind David when they came to make him king? (2 Samuel 5:1-2) What two reasons made it logical for Israel to make David their king?
4. As the people did with David, why is it better to be asked to assume leadership as opposed to establishing yourself by force?
5. Where might you need more humility in leading, influencing, or serving others? In what ways can you demonstrate leadership without a title?

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The post A Leader Without a Title appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…” —Isaiah 40:31

In my most exhausting days I find myself feeling a lot like Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring:

“I’m old, Gandalf. I know I don’t look it but I’m beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin… sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

Lord of the Rings

Maybe you’ve found yourself feeling that way sometimes… worn down, weary, and stretched much too thin. The demands of responsibilities and relationships outweigh the resources banked in your soul. Tiredness is natural, and our life’s work and God-given assignments will inevitably drain us at times (just ask all the mothers you know). But sometimes our fatigue can come from a place of not abiding in Christ’s sufficiency in the daily stuff of life.

We could be burning the candle at both ends for approval of others, misaligned ambition, fear of failure, or that lure of trying to match (perform) those “appearances” we are seeing in everyone else’s social media platforms. One of the surest ways to deplete yourself today is to get caught up in trying to run a race you were never meant to run.

Regardless of where the exhaustion comes from, there is good news for the worn down and tired. God has promised, “I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25).

Isaiah 40 was written to a weary people who likely had some trouble imagining a bright, hopeful, and energetic future. Isaiah’s call went out to comfort those who had been exiled from their homeland. The prophet ascribes the supremacy of God over every pagan religion to which many of Isaiah’s contemporaries had succumbed, and El Elyon’s sovereignty over the cultural gods with which the exiles were surrounded. The “Holy One” of Israel is declared incomparable in “the greatness of his might” (v. 26).

Such a God will never forget even one of his people, and Isaiah has a word for those who would question if their way is “hidden,” “disregarded,” or even forgotten by their God (v. 27)…

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

    his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

    and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

    and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

    they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

In verse 28, the statement that the Creator “does not faint or grow weary” suggests that there is more to come for the suffering exiles. God has not given up on Israel. He isn’t done yet. He will finish what He has started in her (Philippians 1:6), and those “waiting for the Lord” shall find endless supplies of fresh strength and vitality. The Hebrew phrase here means to hope, to anticipate, to eagerly look for with expectation, and to trust. Think about what that might look like for you as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Everlasting God, you are incomparable in your greatness and able to give strength to the weary and power to the faint. Holy Spirit, teach us to wait upon you for that daily sufficiency in running without getting weary, and eagerly expecting your presence always before us.

Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. What sorts of circumstances cause contemporary people to become weak and weary?
2. What wonder of nature did the Holy One use as an example of His power? (Isaiah 40:25-26)
3. How did God respond to Judah’s assertion that He had forgotten them? (vv. 27-28) What were God’s special promises to the weak and weary? (vv. 29-31)
4. Why is it important for us to remember that God is infinitely higher than we imagine ourselves to be?
5. What will it look like for you to “wait for the Lord” this week?

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The post Bilbo Baggins and the Exhausted Soul appeared first on Jimmy Larche.