20-20 Blog

Scripture Focus:

Jeremiah 45:5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”

John 21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Observation:

Many places in the Bible speak of God’s blessing on his people, but there are places, like we see in these two verses, where the people of God can expect to struggle, even die. In God’s view, it’s more important to glorify God than to live in comfort or to even live at all. Sometimes, as in Baruch’s case, God promised him only his life in the midst of great trouble.

God rightly sees the bigger perspective. What happens on this small planet is a blip compared to eternity, but it’s an important blip, because how we handle life here sets the stage for eternity.

Application:

Will my life, no matter what the circumstances, bring glory to God and eternal life with him someday? It helps to put my life into perspective. These are momentary struggles compared with eternity!

Prayer:

Father God, may I live today with eternity in mind. May I glorify you in the circumstances of life today.

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Scripture Focus:

John 5:19–20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

John 5: 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Observation:

Jesus is God. In John 10:30 he said, “I and my father are one.” The leaders of the day understood exactly what he was saying and wanted to kill him because he equated himself with God.

Yet in John 5 he said, “I can of Myself do nothing.” And “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

If Jesus was totally depended upon God, how much more should I depend upon God?

Application:

The trick for me is knowing for certain what God wants. In some cases it’s pretty clear. In other cases, I’m not sure. Jesus says he looks to see what the Father is doing and follows suit. Oh, for eyes that could see what the Father is doing, so I could join him!

The ultimate question, though, is this: If I could see, would I follow? I hope the answer is yes. Jesus said, “I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me.” If I truly am seeking God’s will over my own, God will invite me to be part of his work in the world.

Prayer:

Father God, what are you at work doing around me today? May I join you in moving your work forward?

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Hebrews 6:11–12 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Observation:

The context of these two verses is salvation. Earlier in the chapter is the sobering indictment against those who become Christians and fall away. Verses 11–12 encourage us to be diligent until the end of our lives or until Jesus returns, whichever happens first.

There’s another principle, however, that shouldn’t be missed. Just as we receive our salvation through faith and wait in patience to inherit the promises, so we are to live out our salvation in faith and patience.

Application:

I heard Patrice Tsague apply this principle to our kingdom businesses during a session at his Biblical Entrepreneur seminar. Our business success is directly tied to our belief (our faith) in the business idea God has given us, and the patience to see it through, even when we see what appear to be insurmountable difficulties. Faith and patience go hand in hand. Faith means we haven’t seen it yet, but we know it’s coming. Patience keeps us going until faith becomes reality.

Prayer:

Father God, you’ve given me an assignment. Give me the faith and patience to move ahead until faith becomes reality.

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1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

Observation:

Elijah the prophet is introduced with a bang in today’s reading from 1 Kings. The events told in these chapters are staggering, amazing—one righteous man against a nation.

The story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, in the battle against Baal, is one of my favorites. He asks the people, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God follow Him, but if Baal, follow him.”

Nobody answers Elijah. Everyone is quiet. No one is willing to make a stand. But their actions have already answered the question.

Application:

The question is one I still need to answer today. If God is really God, I should follow him. If he isn’t really God, then I can forget what the Bible says and follow any god of my own making—like the Baals of old.

If I don’t answer this question, the question is answered by my silence—or my actions.

Even if I say yes one day, however, I can act like I don’t really believe it another day. That’s called faltering, vacillating between two opinions.

Prayer:

Father God, I don’t want to be one who falters. I want my actions to proclaim that you are God. I want to follow you!

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