| | Devo Kids | Write for Us | Our Authors | Audios | Poetry | SPEAK UP!
 
   
Devotions by Topic
   
Attitude
Blessings
Encouragement
Example
Faith
Finance
Guidance
Hope
Independence
Prayer
Relationships
Thanks
Trust

 


Click to get your free copy of Common Ground Christian News
Click to learn more about Tinkertime Productions
Daily Devotions: Visit our He Said, She Said, web site and listen to archived episodes of our radio show.
Friday, February 5, 2010

Take a Chance… Advance! - He Said

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!" - Ephesians 5:11-16 (The Message)

Listen to Take a Chance… Advance!

When did "work" become a four-letter word? When did God's first command become a burden? Perhaps it began when we exchanged God's gift of enjoyment through employment for the fleeting security of career entitlement. As the resource officer waits for us to clear out our desk, we cry, "You can't do this to me! I've been here since…" Work was meant for more than provision, position and posturing. When we labor "heartily as unto the Lord," it becomes an act of worship.

I'm writing from the mountains today. We're preparing for our second Writer's Advance Event. I've attended other writer's retreats, but the idea of giving ground and falling back doesn't fit our calling. So, over the next few days, we'll discuss, prepare and advance toward the next big thing God has planned. There's snow on the ground, ice on the parking lot and fire in our bones.

How about you? Are you burned-out instead of on fire for a cause, craft or ministry? Do you fear you've missed your chance to "make" a difference? Don't worry. Our God is the Lord of second and third chances. His eyes roam the earth seeking those who will open the door when He knocks. Will you respond to his banging?

Here are four tips for how you can "make the most of every chance you get."

Find a problem and fix it. Opportunities are often disguised as problems. These challenges force us to explore other options, examine the resources we have, and push on. When faced with a dead end, listen for God to say, "This way." A closed door is only a dead end when you don't follow the detour signs.

Move with urgency. Open doors do not remain open forever. New opportunities are time-sensitive. Ground floors become foundations for tall buildings, so seize the moment. Don't wait, ponder, pray and procrastinate. By the time you act, it may be too late. If the chance to do something different, untried and frightening excites you, then step through the open door.

Expect resistance. Often we mistake hardships for God's disapproval when, in fact, the rocks, weeds and ruts are just confirmation that we're plowing new territory. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, "A great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries." The fastest point of sail is when the wind is against and slightly ahead of the boat, not blowing from behind. The gusts buffeting your cheeks could be God's breath cooling you down and keeping you refreshed.

Face down your fears. Don't let your fear of the unknown stop you from doing the thing that excites you. Wake up. Climb out. Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. Christ will show you the light.

These are desperate times. The world needs pioneers who are willing to put aside the slothful acts of darkness and step boldly into the future. Today, if you feel God calling you to a new challenge, don't hesitate. Advance!

Wake Up! - She Said

“Don't waste your time useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Ephesians 5:11-16 (The Message)

Listen to WakeUP!

He shocked me. “Religion sucks.” Tattooed from head to toe, his appearance sent a jolt of fear through me. But the more I learned of his story, the more inclined I was to agree.

Abused from childhood by his mother, abandoned by his father and shunned by his friends, this child grew into a man who believed in nothing, no one and no wonder. Even members of his church, the ones who really knew his family history, closed their eyes to his needs, choosing instead to call him a pagan and worse.

An elderly woman checked on him, from time to time. Slipped him some food, prayed for him. Thirty years later, he couldn’t recall her name, so he just called her a Christian—the only one he’d ever known.

His shocking appearance and brazen judgment on the church was a wake up call for me. Had I overlooked him, too? In my sincere efforts to serve Christ, had I become so busy with the “goodness” of church that I’d shut my eyes to this man? Was it my fault he became the beast he was? Would a little love have cost that much?

Christ took time for me. He found time for people, not projects. Constantly in demand to teach, heal and feed, He was never too busy to stop and see the real hurt in a person, never too important to see their soul, never too good to humble Himself as a servant.

We see what we want to see, so we focus on the sins of others and not the grace of God. Condemn someone long enough and they’ll think they’re worthless. Correct and forgive and they’ll know love. These are desperate times but we can’t slow the pace of our planet. We can, however, touch the hearts of desperate people.

Wake up! Get up! Act like Christ. Don’t waste your time on useless work. Waste it instead, on hopeless people.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

He Said, She Said Trailer
He Said, She Said, Radio!
Friday nights at 7 PM, EST
646-929-0706
Click to visit He Said, She Said Radio
Subscribe to HSSS Podcasts

 
"You guys were great! Loved it,. I've never heard you live and in the He Said She Said mode. It was great. Enjoyed it."- Dale
 
"Where have you two been? This should have been on a long time ago. You've just brought the He Said She Said devotions to life." - Ella
 
"You two are good together. Loved it. When's the next one?"
 
"I've seen you two at Blue Ridge and how you make folks laugh and think. This is the first time I've heard the devotions out loud. Great job."
 
"I was telling my wife about how good you guys worked together. My wife didn't believe me but after listening to the radio show, she's sold. She laughed and said she could see the love you both have for your families and for your friendship. I enjoyed listening. I'll be waiting for the next one. " - Matt
Books By Our Authors


 
 
Copyright © 2008 | Christian Devotions Ministry