Passing the baton is an art. Whether it’s the synchronicity of an Olympic relay team, the power transfer from one regime to the next, or the transition of CEO leadership in a major corporation, passing the baton is a challenge. The scriptures are filled with guidance for this delicate task. Moses the deliverer pre- pared Joshua to lead Israel. Elijah the prophet passed the mantle of power to Elisha. John the Baptist prepared the Jews for the coming Jesus. Jesus the Messiah trained the twelve to evangelize the world. Paul the mentor created a seminary course to train Timothy. Let’s examine these “great transitions” and learn how we can leave a legacy for the next generation. MOSES AFFIRMS JOSHUA Moses, God’s chosen deliverer, marched millions of Jews across the sandy desert from slavery to freedom. Then Moses took young Joshua and pre- pared him to lead the Jews across the Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses instilled confidence and vision in Joshua. Numbers 13 details the account of Israelite spies reporting their findings to Moses on the feasibility of defeating the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua declared that the conquest of Canaan was doable. The rest of the team only saw the obstacles. Joshua and Caleb only saw the possibilities. Before Joshua was sent to search out Canaan, his name was Hoshea, Hebrew for salvation. After his demonstration of faith and passion in Numbers 14:6-9, Moses gave Hoshea a new name. He called him Joshua, the Hebrew word for “YAHWEH is my salvation.” Moses re-named Joshua and affirmed him in his calling to follow him as Israel’s leader. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, young Joshua was at his side (Exodus 24:13-14). Joshua witnessed firsthand the power and glory of God on Sinai. He marveled at Moses’ shining face. Moses poured into his successor affirmation, acceptance, respect and love. So when it was time to lead Israel across the Jordan to claim the Promised Land, Joshua listened to God and obeyed: “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them — to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:1-5 NIV Moses had confidence in Joshua. So Israel trusted Joshua’s leadership as well. When it came time to cross the Jordan: “Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you.” Joshua 1:16-17 NIV List some people in your life who have accepted, affirmed and respected you. How did their kindness make you feel? What are some things you have been able to accomplish because of their encouragement? When did you begin to “own” your own faith? Did you make the transition Hoshea did from “salvation” to “God is my salvation?” What were the circumstances that allowed you to make that leap of faith? If you are still struggling to understand how to know Jesus personally, find a pastor or a mature Christian whom you trust, and ask for their counsel. Who are some young Christians that you can encourage? Look for the strengths that you see in their lives. Tell them the ways you see God using them in His work.

The prophet Elisha had some pretty big shoes to fill. Elijah, his “father in the faith,” had called fire down from heaven and single-handedly slaughtered the prophets of Baal. Soon after, God asked Elijah to anoint a young farmer as his successor. (1 Kings 19:19-21) Coincidentally, Elisha also means “My God is my salvation.” Elijah made a great hand-off to Elisha. The prophet’s young protégé witnessed the Divine power and anointing on the ministry of his mentor in 2 Kings 2. Elijah knew his earthly life was about to end. Elisha would not leave his side. The aging prophet said farewell to his faithful attendant and performed one last miracle in 2 Kings 2:8-10: “Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours...” NIV Young Elisha witnessed his mentor being taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. The young prophet would not rest until he walked in the same miraculous ministry of Jehovah. Elijah’s “mantle” rested on Elisha in 2 Kings 2:13-15: “He (Elisha) picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." NIV Elisha witnessed God’s power in his mentor’s life, so he was hungry for God’s power and anointing to rest on him as well. Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha both experienced the miracle of the parting of the waters. In Matthew 14:28-31, Jesus taught Peter about faith by having him walk on water. What observations can you make about God having His people cross over on dry ground in the Old Testament, and Jesus having Peter walk on the sea in the New Testament? What do we learn about faith from these passages? How have you seen God’s power manifested in your life? Write down the occasions when you have seen God answer your prayers, or work in the lives of others. Spend some time thanking God for His power and protection. Do you have an “Elijah” in your life-someone you know who is walking the Spirit-filled life? What qualities do you see in them? Have you spent time learning from them, experiencing God with them? If you do not have an “Elijah” in your life, ask God to send you someone who can inspire and encourage you.

Paul, the apostle, probably gave us the most pragmatic model for making a successful transition in leadership. He penned thirteen New Testament epistles for the sole purpose of helping the fledgling believers in Asia to get on their feet. Paul devoted three pastoral epistles to train young pastors. First and Second Timothy and Titus are still used as the “modus operandi” for Christian ministers. Titus had the daunting task of “straightening out” the carnal Cretan Christians. (Titus 1:5) Timothy was Paul’s “beloved son in the faith.” (2 Timothy 1:1) As Paul encouraged young Timothy with fatherly pride, he gave the young pastor comprehensive counsel on how to worship, how to recognize false teachers, how to select and develop church leaders, how to help the needy, how to teach tithing and how to preach with authenticity and authority. (1 Timothy 1-6) Paul’s last letter to Timothy was penned in the waning years of his life when he languished in a Roman prison cell. The great apostle had transitioned from the role of power to wisdom. He was no longer on the front lines. However, in hindsight, no one would question the fact that Paul’s most productive years were not planting churches, they were spent writing half of the New Testament. Long after the little church at Thessalonike had disappeared, Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian believers would be a guide for centuries of churches. His doctrinal treatise to the Romans is the clearest theological presentation of the gospel in scripture. But Paul’s heart for people, especially for pastors, gave us a glimpse of the heart of a mentor. The profound sentiment and intimate tone of Second Timothy resemble the deeply personal words a father would say to his son on his deathbed. Paul wrote that his days were numbered. Paul assured his beloved Timothy that he prayed for him continuously and earnestly (2 Timothy 1:3). That’s what a father in the faith would do. He encouraged Timothy on his spiritual journey by marveling at how much the young pastor had grown (2 Timothy 1:5) and what great potential he had (2 Timothy 1: 6-7). Paul admonished his “Son in the Lord” to be bold in his evangelism (2 Timothy 1: 8), vigilant in doctrine, powerful in preaching, and pure in his personal life. (2 Timothy 2) He confided in Timothy that he felt his time on earth was drawing to a close, but even in those moments, he challenged Timothy with these words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” NIV Oh, that we all would have mentors in our lives who would train us so artfully and lovingly! Wait! We do! The Bible is our training manual with complete instructions for “life and godliness.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We can learn how to be gentle shepherds of God’s flocks, dynamic leaders to further the kingdom, and powerful preachers of the gospel. That’s not all. We have Jesus living in us in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now we not only know what to do, we have the grace to do it. • Do you know your spiritual gifts? List them here. Do you already have a ministry? If you do not, how would you like to serve God? • Do you have a mentor who walks beside you to encourage and admonish you? Were your parents, pastors, or teachers who were mentors for you? Ask God to bring mentors into your life. • Do you have a young “Timothy” that you can teach? Perhaps your “flock” is your family-your children. Perhaps you know some younger Christians in your church. How can you mentor them today? What are some lessons Paul taught Timothy that would be helpful for those whom you influence?

Of course, Jesus’ entire ministry was spent “passing the torch.” He devoted three and one-half years modeling ministry in front of his disciples. Before ascending into heaven, Christ gave his men marching orders to finish His work and evangelize the world. When it came to Peter, the bumbling disciple needed all the training he could get! Jesus taught impetuous Peter many life lessons. Jesus clarified Peter’s call by asking him to drop his fishing nets and fish for men. (Matthew 4:18) Jesus tested his trust by asking him to walk on the waves of the Galilean sea. (Matthew 14:28) Christ crystallized Peter’s theology when he asked him “Who do men say that I am?” (Matthew 16:16) After Peter declared Jesus’ deity, Christ clarified His mission as the sacrificial lamb offered for the sins of the world. Christ applauded and reproved him in the span of seven verses. (Matthew 16:17-23) Peter saw His Savior glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration and grieving in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter was at Jesus’ side during the parables, healings and the feeding of the five thousand. (Matthew 14:21) He listened to Jesus pray. (John 17) Jesus gave Peter his first opportunity to stretch his wings in Mark 6:6-13: “Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff — no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” NIV Jesus was all about on-the-job training. He’d push Peter out of the nest-sometimes he would fly and sometimes he would fall. Christ called him out of the boat-at first he sank, but he eventually walked on the waves. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (only after Christ had left the earth), Peter would be ignited with Jesus’ passion and power. (Acts 2:1- 41) Can you identify with Peter? What are some life lessons you can learn from him? What kind of “on-the-job training” have you received from Jesus? Can you recall a time in your life when Jesus called you to “walk on water?” What were the circumstances that surrounded your test of faith? Did you find it difficult to keep your eyes on Jesus during that trying time? Why or why not? What do you learn about Christ’s patience in training Peter? Do Peter’s failures and victories encourage you in your walk with God?

The glory of God is coming but we must live in His presence now if we expect to walk in His glory later. And it is this very thing -- this entering God's presence now -- that Satan fights the most. Yet the nature of our battle is not easily discerned. The enemy does not typically appear with fierce countenance, threatening us with retaliation if we begin to seek God. No, Satan's attack is more subtle. He whispers his crafty manipulations, stealing our time and draining us of spiritual passions. He even manipulates the good things of God's blessings to keep us from the best gift of all: God's presence. The devil has a willing accomplice in our fleshly nature. Recall Solomon's astute observation: "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices" (Eccl. 7:29). Our "many devices," gadgets, and technologies, for all the convenience they supposedly provide, are not much more than "mind candy." They fritter away our time and energy. As our world experiences increased trauma and shaking, it will be evident:. Yet instead of having hearts full of God, or at least hearts that are seeking God, our hearts are weighed down, bloated with worldliness and addicted to pleasure. We are saddened if we have nothing to entertain us. God is judging this excessive focus on materialism. When God is done, we will be much leaner, spiritually speaking. We will be ready for the days ahead. The Unappreciated Gift "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth" (Luke 21:34-35). What is the most valuable yet most unappreciated gift men receive from God? It is not money. It is not even food and housing. The gift we most fail to appreciate is time. Beloved, it is wisdom to number our days (Ps. 90), for we only have a certain allotment of time to fulfill our calling. Yet too many of us are squandering our days with meaningless distractions. Yes, all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable (1 Cor. 6:12). Let me assure you, most of the things of our world are not evil in themselves, especially when dedicated to God and used in moderation. We need points of relief and times of recreation. My concern is that we not become out of balance. For what we call moderation, to the rest of the world is excess. My concern is that the things of this age not crowd out our time with God. A Land of Idols The issue for us is not about things, but discerning those things that keep us from God. The pleasures of this world can become intoxicating, numbing our discernment and our capacity to see clearly. Yet if we are truly seeking the Lord, setting apart time each day for Him, then our hold on life will be clear-minded. Let us beware. Like the ancient Babylonians, ours is a "land of images, and are mad over idols" (Jer. 50:38 Amplified). We worry about weapons of mass destruction in our world, but Satan also has weapons of mass distraction. Idolatry is so familiar to us, we think it not strange that our sports, music and movie stars are called "idols." In the midst of a world of distractions, the Lord wants us to walk with a single mind toward His glory. Can we do it? Yes, but we may need to rid ourselves of the control our modern media and devices have over our will. Let us fast from entertainment for a month and use that time to seek God. If that is too long, deny it entrance to your mind for a week. The degree of difficulty in turning them off is the measure of our bondage to them. If we cannot let them go, it because such things hold us captive. Let us make our portion in life the presence of God. Let us not be mastered by the issues, fears or distractions of our times. Rather, let us break the power of Satan's weapons of mass distraction. Let us return full-hearted to God Adapted from Francis Frangipane's  In Christ's Image Training , available at  www.icitc.org .

“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” ( Micah 6:8 ). Many Christians often seek God for their health, welfare, career, home/car purchase, in other words, the things that give pleasure. But are these the things that God cares about the most? Jesus said in  Matthew 6:7 , “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” This implies that God is mindful about the things of life that we care about. But what are the things that God cares about the most? We have a strong indication from the following verses when Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” ( Matthew 6:9-13 ). Did you notice how often Jesus mentioned the material things of life that we need, in other words, what kind of priority God puts on these things? It’s the fourth item on the list. The first three give us an indication of what God is really concerned about: his name, his kingdom, his will. How often do you think about those things? How often do you think about God’s reputation, his kingdom, and his will? Here’s a simple test. The scripture says that if we are true Christians we will “walk as he walked” ( I John 2:6 ). What does that mean? It means that Jesus’ first concern in life was that which his father was concerned with: His name, His kingdom, His will. My fellow Christian, if you live your life day to day and have little or no thoughts in your mind about God, the Bible, church, or your testimony as a Christian then can you say with all confidence that you are really one of his children? What does God expect of us? He expects us to live for him just as he lived for us. Jesus lived for us, not himself. Jesus died for us, not himself. Jesus rose for us, not himself. And he is working in the world today on our behalf, that we might know him intimately and become like him. Memory Verse “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” ( Micah 6:8 ). Application The one who truly wants to be a Christian, a real Christian, is one who has these priorities in his life. Do a spiritual inventory about your life’s priorities. How can you rearrange your life so that you make God’s priorities your priorities? guywithabible.com

Here are six things you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed with life. 1 – Embrace what you’re facing We usually want to hurry through life; we want to get to the next stage, especially when the current situation is overwhelming. We tend to ask the question, “Are we there yet?” We tend to have an expectation that once we arrive, we’ll have peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (NKJV). When you’re feeling overwhelmed in life – whatever stage you are in – embrace the season that you are in because there’s always lessons to be learned, experiences to help you grow. When we are feeling overwhelmed, we should be able to say,  God, I don’t know why I’m going through this. I’m not quite clear on what this experience is going to teach me, but, I’m going to embrace this season of my life. 2 – Picture a better future There is something about being able to see a brighter, more hope-filled future. And I don’t mean only in eternity. God’s mercies are new every morning. The sun is going to come up again tomorrow. You are not always going to be facing the situation you’re experiencing right now. 3 – Understand God’s intentions for you are always good In Jeremiah 29:11, God is saying “Hey, listen! I know what I’m doing. Just relax. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you – plans to give you a future that you’ve hoped for” (MSG). It’s assuring to know God’s intentions for us are always good. 4 – Declare your intentions When I declare, not only what I believe, but what I’m going to do, it’s transformational in my life. Look what Paul says when he’s talking about the declaration of our intention spiritually: “It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word of God, Jesus is my master” (Romans 10:8 MSG). Paul says it’s important “we declare with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead and we will be saved. Embracing and body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead” (Romans 10:9-10 MSG). This passage reminds us God doesn’t need to hear us speak audibly to know what’s going on in our hearts. Declaring it helps us. 5 – Act in faith I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.  It’s our handle on what we can’t see”  (Hebrews 11:1 MSG). We have faith in people we’ve never seen, people we don’t even know. So, why can’t we have faith in a God who is always there for us? 6 – Build confidence When you act in faith, it builds confidence in your life. The first time you got on a bicycle, you acted by faith to be able to ride it. After a while, you had the confidence to be able to get on it and do it. The word  intention  comes from the Latin meaning  to stretch.  Intentional living is all about your faith being stretched to its limit – knowing what scripture teaches, taking that step of faith and stretching to that next level. Paul says in Philippians 3:14, “I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back” (MSG). He’s saying – I’m going to stretch towards this goal and get it done.   www.theintentionallife.com .

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.  Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”  (Isaiah 6:1-8 NLT) We learn from Isaiah that seeing the “Holy, holy, holy” LORD is perilous. “It’s all over! I am doomed…” When you look up the Hebrew word for Isaiah’s condition, you find the following definition: to cease, cut off, destroy, perish and undone. Yeah, that sounds pretty perilous, if not, in fact, lethal. And this was just a vision. Here’s what the LORD said to Moses, and that may have been what Isaiah was thinking: And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  (Exodus 33:17-20 ESV) Isaiah knew he had no justification to stand before the Lord:  “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips.” He was a sinner, and he lived with a bunch of sinners. I wonder if the apostle Paul was thinking of this passage when he wrote: Do not be deceived: “Bad Company ruins good morals.”  (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV) I suppose Isaiah could’ve fled, but how do you flee a vision? Yet he admitted his condition, and he had seen the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. After his confession, a seraphim — which I’m sure was a scary enough creature — took a burning coal from the altar and touched his lips. The result? “Your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then comes a call followed by Isaiah’s act of obedience. What could have been perilous became a purpose, and resulted in a ministry that touches lives still today. Have you ever walked away from, or maybe even fled from, a decision or situation that the LORD wanted you to face? Wanted you to endure? That particular call may be lost, but like Isaiah, you can have your guilt removed and your sins forgiven. And then in these uncertain and perhaps perilous times, you too will be obedient, answer His call and stand for Christ.  I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

We need to live lives that demand an explanation. Paul lived this life that didn’t make any sense. In Philippians 4, he is talking about joy and contentment while chained to a prison guard in jail. If you could write a letter to your loved ones in prison, would you write about happiness or complain? In  Philippians 4:13  we have the most misquoted verse in the Bible. Evander Holyfield had it on his robe “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” and I am going to pulverize Mike Tyson. He wore the same robe to fight Lenox Lewis, and he bit the dust. Maybe you use this verse as a promise to ace a test in class when you didn’t study. “I can do all things through Christ.” We need to look at the context of the verse. This is what  Philippians 4:10-12  says: “ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Have you learned Paul’s secret? “No matter what the economy does, I don’t care.” How many people have you met that have that attitude? They are suffering and others say to them, “You should be stressed out, you should panic.” In contrast, Paul says “be content.” Christ is enough. You can have nothing and can be content. You can be rich and be content. I really encourage you to read the Bible with an open mind. Voltaire once said, “God created man in his own image and now man is returning the favor.” We want to recreate God in the way we want to be. I want a God okay with me sleeping with my girlfriend, I want a God who says, “my body, my choice.” One author wrote, “The American church has created a middle-class Jesus.” For example, they say that it’s okay to make your nuclear family an idol. When it comes to you and your kids, take care of them first even before your relationship with Jesus. You never find that in the Bible. Christ taught us to be willing to hate father, mother, wife, kids. He said my true brothers, sisters and mother obey my words. I’m not saying we shouldn’t love our family. It’s just that following Jesus comes first. We need a radical Jesus, the Christ of the Bible. We must not settle for a middle-class Jesus.

Grace can be defined as an undeserved gift, that which is given, not because of any attribute of the receiver, rather out of the pure joy of the giver.  It is an invitation into deeper relationship with the giver. Gratitude is the response, where-in the receiver enters into the joy of the giver, receiving the unmerited gift with the same joy in which it was given.  Gratitude is the choice to accept the invitation into deeper relationship. Both grace and gratitude are expressions of love - grace the initiation and gratitude the response.  Together they knit the giver and receiver together in love because of the shared joy.  The world’s counterfeits lack the joy and deepening relationship. Grace can only be extended through agape love, unconditional love that is only possible when the Spirit of God is involved.  God Himself is our model, as He gives us grace upon grace, even while we are still his enemies, while we are still sinners.  His grace is not dependent in any way upon the receiver.  Rather, it is a reflection of His nature, which is love.  It is not given to manipulate us into a particular response, but because He knows we need it, and it gives Him joy to meet our needs. In the world, gifts are rarely given out of unconditional love.  Most often there is some hidden motive for giving.  The motive may be an anticipated response, as when a young suitor sends flowers or cards to the object of his affection.  The motive may be out of fear that there will be negative consequences, such as the husband who quickly rushes to the florist shop upon realizing he almost forgot his wife’s birthday.  The motive may be to obligate the receiver, such as the salesman who sends expensive gifts to a potential customer, trying to secure a large contract.  The motive may be to draw attention to one’s self, like the Pharisees Jesus chided for “sounding the trumpet” when they gave their tithes. The motive may be to make one’s self feel better, like the person who seeks to mitigate guilty feelings by giving to others.  Or the motive may be to get someone off our back when we feel pressured to give. Of the above motives, only the first, and maybe the second are any kind of invitation into deeper relationship.  But even in those cases, there is a reward anticipated in the giving.  Rarely does one give for the shear joy of giving, because giving always involves sacrifice.  Our culture teaches us that we should only sacrifice when there is a clear “return on investment” (ROI).  Paradoxically, in the world, the ROI is rarely as great as the sacrifice.  In contrast, when the Spirit of God empowers me to give grace to others, even though the apparent payback is zero or even negative, I receive a reward from God Himself, because I am “laying up treasure in heaven.” In the same way, the world’s counterfeit of gratitude is generally a self-centered response.  I may thank someone, to ensure they will offer me gifts again in the future, or because I will feel guilty if I don’t thank them.  I may thank them because the gift made me feel good, or enriched me in some way. Godly gratitude allows me to see the joy with which the gift was given, and enjoy the fact that the giver got joy from the giving.  I enter into celebration with the giver and by that draw closer to him or her because we share that joy. Godly gratitude also has the effect of perpetuating a giving spirit.  When I enter into the joy of giving, I realize that true joy comes from extending grace and giving to God and others.  I learn that it is indeed “more blessed to give, than to receive”.

How well does Jesus know me? Well enough for me to trust Him with my life? The answer is “yes.” In the following verses we will learn that Jesus knows us intimately and desires to interact with us every day. He created me At the moment of conception God was there. The psalmist says, “You made my body, Lord. (Psalm 119:73a LB) “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13 LB) God is present from the very beginning, when the sperm meets the egg and the cells start to divide. He oversees the process as cells continue dividing into different cells that become various parts of the body: bones, internal body organs, the head and skin. God knows all that is happening. When the baby is born and grows, both the parent and later on the teen, can be assured that God intimately knows their body and when there is a problem like a tumor or heart condition because He created your body, He is the ultimate healing physician. God often heals outright, but He also uses human medical interventions to demonstrate His power. He is with me 24/7 Our God is a 24/7 God. “How precious it is Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!” (Psalm 139:15 LB) “...when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!” (Psalm 139:18b LB) “He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.” (Psalm 121:8 LB) These verses are especially comforting to parents of young people who are away from home. God knows where they are at all times. From the beginning of time He has a plan for me From the very beginning, God has plans for each of us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart...In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) “...But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.” (Jeremiah 17:7a LB) “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling.” (Psalm 119:105 LB) Abiding in God’s plan is our purpose and challenge. If I make a mistake, God will help me God knows that we make mistakes and He will help us when we call to Him. “...the Lord who created, ...says, Don’t be afraid, ...I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One...” (Isaiah 43:1-3a LB) God does not expect perfection. He looks for obedience and promises to support us. Every day we make choices about our lives with or without God’s help. Review your day. How many times did you ask for God’s help? Re-read the previous verses. Highlight the verses that touch you and write down what you are thinking. How will the verses impact your life? Jesus desires to walk with you every day. On the back make two columns. In one column describe your choices to- day and in the second column revise the choices based on Jesus walking beside you. Are they the same? If not, why? God calls us to a life in focus. When you awake each morning, God is thinking of you. Take a few minutes to praise Him for who He is and ask Him to keep your life in focus for the day.

Walking on the beach of the Sea of Galilee Jesus sees two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew fishing in a boat. Jesus calls out, “Come along with me... And they left their nets at once and went with him.” (Matthew 4:19a-20 LB) James and John are nearby in their boats mending nets, and Jesus “called them too and immediately they left their father Zebedee in the boat...and went with him.” (Mark 1:14 LB) When Jesus calls, the four disciples immediately follow Him. Consider Jesus’ resume. 1) He says He is the long awaited Messiah. 2) He performs a miracle by turning water into wine. 3) Near the time of the Jewish Passover, Jesus is in Jerusalem. When Jesus drives out merchants and money changers at the temple market, the religious and political leaders are threatened by Him. (John 2:14-16 LB) 4) His cousin, John, (Luke 1:39-45) who identifies Jesus as the Messiah, (John 1:29-31) is now in jail for speaking out against the Roman ruler. 4) He teaches in His hometown synagogue and the people try to kill Him! “His “remarks stung them to fury; and jumping up, they mobbed him and took him to the edge of the hill on which they city was built, to push him over the cliff.” (Luke 4:28-29 LB) The four men see and hear Jesus. Their response to Jesus’ calling them is an immediate yes. With just this resume, would you follow Him in ministry? Why and why not? If you are Zebedee watching your sons follow Jesus in ministry, would you send them out with your blessing? Do you have a child who wants to follow, or is in ministry for Jesus? Have you given your blessings? If not, would you now? It's not enough to hear Jesus' call, you must leave your nets, your old life, your security and follow Him. Are you ready?