Rise Above the Rest

It seems like everyone is trying to stand out from the crowd. Some do it by trying to be the best or expert in their field. Others do it by attempting crazy things or screaming at the top of their lungs about an issue they are passionate about. Their main goal, although not stated, is to rise above the rest and be noticed. Daniel shows us, as Christians, how to rise above the rest for the glory of God.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:20

“As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.”

Daniel and his buddies took a risky stand when they decided not to eat the food sacrificed to the Babylonian gods. They asked for only vegetables and water. After a period of time, they not only looked better than the rest of the students, they were sharper in wisdom and understanding. This wasn’t about a vegetarian diet. It was about being obedient to God and honoring Him with their lives. When we do that, we rise above the rest.

Choose to Lose

There are too many Christians living miserable lives. Constant frustration and fatigue are plaguing them. The sad thing is that they don’t know how they got there or how to get out. Jesus offers us the solution in today’s scripture, but it may not be what you were expecting. He tells us to choose to lose our lives so that we will, in the end, preserve it.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:33‬

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”

Jesus often said things that went against reason and rationale. Why wouldn’t someone try to protect their lives? Why would anyone want to lose it? What Jesus is trying to do is show people the way of faith. He doesn’t want them to trust in their own strength because that is what has gotten them and the nation of Israel into the mess they are in. Instead, He wants His disciples to give up everything to find the abundant life He possesses.

Choose to Forgive

Some family feuds have gone on for generations. Both sides have a hatred for one another that can’t even be explained. When you delve down to the root of the issue, you find the initial reason for the feud was petty, but it snowballed from there and turned into a war. If forgiveness would’ve been given from the start, it would be a different world. Don’t hold the offense against someone. Instead, choose to forgive.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:3-4

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

This passage isn’t about rebuking someone for sinning against you but about forgiveness. If he repents when you rebuke him, then you are to forgive. If he does it seven times for the same offense in one day and still repents, your forgiveness doesn’t change. It’s not about keeping score. It’s about but about settling the issue between you two, and forgiveness settles it.

Being Trustworthy

Want to be trusted in your job? Looking to get promoted and have more responsibility? Instead of kissing up to your boss, start by being trustworthy. Be that worker, your supervisor can go to when they need something done. Be the coworker who is there to help others even if you don’t get credit. Put time and effort into the small things and watch as God blesses them,

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

Jesus had just finished telling the story about the dishonest manager who was going to get fired by his master. It tells of how he slashed the bills of everyone who owed his master money in hopes that they would show him favor when he was out on the street because he didn’t have the strength to do manual labor. Jesus uses that as a platform to talk about being trustworthy.

Leaning on God’s Promises

Did you know that there are over seven hundred promises in the Bible? One of my favorites says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Those are weighty words, and I have learned to trust them over the years. Are you leaning on God’s promises, or are you caught up in money worries? Be content. Trust Jesus to bring your through. Watch as you come out on the other side, stronger and full of faith.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

From the beginning, God has told Israel that they didn’t have to worry about anything. He would provide. Israel struggled with the faith needed to trust Him. God promised a land flowing with milk and honey, and Israel whined and complained the whole 40 years in the desert. God hasn’t backed down from the promise for His children today, yet many still struggle with trusting Him.

Show Some Hospitality

In the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” there is a song that the household servants sing called “Be My Guest.” They are showing hospitality to Belle in hopes that she will be the one who will break the curse and will change them from being household items back into humans. It’s a beautiful reminder that we, as Christians, should show some hospitality to those in our world. Who knows? You might entertain angels unknowingly.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-2

“Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hospitality is a dying art in the church. You watch shows like House Hunters on HGTV, and the people always want space to entertain, but in the church, no one wants to open their house. Hospitality is more than a gift. It’s a command from scripture. It is a way we show the love of Christ to our church family and neighbors. Neglecting it removes a weapon from the arsenal of the believer against the spiritual warfare that is waged.

Searching the Horizon

Reunions are one of the most touching things to watch, especially when a grown child returns to see their parents. The anticipation on the mother’s eyes as they search the horizon for the first sight of their child is almost unbearable. As soon as they appear, feelings of relief and joy are all over their…

Angels are Rejoicing in Heaven

Ever lost something, and you considered it a lost cause. Heard a story of a lady who lost her wedding band for over a week and discovered it on the bed of her husband’s truck after it had gone on a long trip. She was rejoicing that it was found. The same can be said when you give your life to Jesus. The angels are rejoicing in heaven.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:7

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Who in their right mind would value the one over the ninety-nine? That sounds pretty reckless to me. More is always better in our minds, but in Jesus’ case, He came for those who were lost (which by the way is everyone). Only the self-righteous don’t think they are sinners or need to repent. Jesus came for those who are open to His salvation.

Exactly What You Need

Being a parent of four children is my greatest joy. That they’ve made it to being teenagers is my greatest accomplishment. All joking aside, being a parent is the hardest thing I have ever done. The most challenging part is disciplining them when they have disobeyed. I don’t want to do it, but it is what they needed. God disciplines those He loves, and it is exactly what you need.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:6‬

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.

The Lord disciplines those He loves. He does it for several reasons. Most importantly, He does it to keep us in line. Any child that is left to his own will eventually wander off the path and into trouble. Jesus knows that and disciplines you to keep you from hurting yourself. His discipline is so much a rebuke as it is a correction. He doesn’t want any harm to come to you.

Run with Endurance

Running is not my thing. I would much rather ride my mountain bike. For those that run, they will tell you about the runner’s high. It is the feeling you get when you hit your rhythm, and you feel like you have tons of energy. That is what the author of Hebrews tells the Jewish disciples since we have had so many great come before us, in this race of life run with endurance.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Elite marathoners run with very little clothing on their bodies. They obsess over the weight of their shoes because they know any extra weight will weigh them down. The same is true for Christians. We can’t be encumbered with the worries of this world or entangled in sin. We need to be lean and light to reach the finish line. If you are light on motivation, look to those who have run before you.