Faith Walk

[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 4:31-44 Judges 4-6

Mighty Man?

Judges 4-6, Luke 4:31-44
Key Verse: Judges 6:12

The name Gideon strikes a few notes in our brain, such as "mighty man of valor" and "hero of the faith." Then the notes sound sour as we can then think, "Not like me." Gideon is seen as a great man, while we often feel like much less.

Yes, he is included in the list of heroes in Hebrews 11. Yes, he was a mighty man of valor. It was not always that way, though. He started out quite fearful.

When we first meet Gideon, he is threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites (6:11). He's hiding out. Then when the angel tells him that he is being sent to save Israel, his reply is not a mighty one. "How can I?" he asks (v. 15).

After a great deal of "coaxing" and encouragement from God, Gideon did finally lead the fight to drive out the Midianites. God patiently worked with His reluctant warrior.

God can meet us where we are and lead us to where He wants us to be. Our lack of self-confidence may seem insurmountable. Remember, though, that our God is the same as Gideon's. The One who saw a mighty man of valor in Gideon sees a choice servant in you. He has equipped you and challenges you to serve Him.

Don't think God works only through "super saints." He uses ordinary believers made extraordinary by being available, teachable and useable.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 5:1-16 Judges 7-8

A Quiet Place

Judges 7-8, Luke 5:1-16
Key Verse: Luke 5:16

To read about the life of Jesus is to read of a life filled with activity. His public ministry began with His baptism. Then 40 days of solitude in the wilderness immediately followed. After that, His was a full schedule.

Two interesting observations can be made about the pace of Jesus' ministry. One is that He never hurried anywhere. Jesus was never in a rush. His purpose was so clear that other things were not allowed to put him in a rush.

The other is that He consistently found the time and the quiet to pray. A healthy prayer life needs those two things: time and quiet.

How can you have a healthy prayer life without taking time to pray? You can't. Some praying we do "on the run." It may be that we pray while driving or while working around the house. Still, we need quality prayer time, undistracted by any other activities.

The other need is for quiet. Finding a time and place where you are undistracted is vital to a healthy prayer life. For some, those times and places are easy to find. For others, it is a challenge.

Jesus set the example. He took time and found a quiet place to pray. Will you?

Do you take time to pray? Why not right now? Jesus did. You should also.

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[nChrist]

Title: Hanging with the Crowd
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Judges 9-10, Luke 5:17-39
Key Verses: Luke 5:31-32

Jesus had a knack for running with the wrong crowd-at least in the eyes of the self-righteous.

Those who were religious believed that the righteous should associate only with those who are righteous. Most of the religious leaders with whom Jesus had contact were hypocritical and legalistic. It was easy for them to criticize Him for His involvement with "sinners."

Matthew was a new follower of Jesus. He did not follow Jesus quietly but publicly. The meal he provided for his friends gave them opportunity to meet Jesus. For the righteous, this was wrong because eating with someone was a sign of friendship. By doing this, Jesus demonstrated that He was a friend of sinners.

To answer His critics, Jesus used the analogy of a doctor. The sick people are the ones who need a physician, not the healthy. He knew their need and wanted to bring healing into the lives of those regarded as sinners.

Jesus did not go along with the crowd, but He was with them. It was there that they heard His message.

Are you ever with the wrong crowd? God does not want us to go along but He does want us to reach out. If you are never with them, how can you ever reach them?

Who are the people you know who need Jesus? Are you trying to find ways to tell them about the salvation He offers? You can't minister to people you avoid.

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[nChrist]

Title: Friendly Fire
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Judges 11-12, Luke 6:1-26
Key Verse: Judges 12:1

A chaplain friend of mine told me that in the military they say, "There is no such thing as friendly fire." If it's fire, it's not friendly.

Far too often there is "friendly fire" in the church. Typically it is directed at those who are trying to get things done. Those doing the firing seem to remain the same. It's as if once a person or group becomes critical, they stay that way.

For example, look at the Ephraimites. Jephthah was leading the fight against the Ammonites. When called upon, the men of Ephraim did not come. Then when they did show up it was not to help but to hurt. They threatened to burn down Jephthah's house. Friendly fire? No such thing.

This was familiar behavior for the Ephraimites. Look at Judges 8:1. They were offended that Gideon did not call them. While he was pursuing the enemies, they wanted their grievance addressed. They were difficult to please, to say the least!

Who are you like? Are you like Jephthah and Gideon, men who were actively serving God, or are you like the Ephraimites, always ready with the friendly fire? Remember, there really is no such thing as friendly fire.

Passages such as these help us see the difference between helping and hurting. Ask God to help you be a helper, joining in wholeheartedly with others who are serving Him.

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[nChrist]

Title: The Most Quoted Verse
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Judges 13-15, Luke 6:27-49
Key Verse: Luke 6:37

Do you know what is the most quoted Bible verse? I have heard that it is Luke 6:37: "Judge not lest ye be judged." Those are probably not the exact words of the Bible version you use, but accuracy is not always high on the list of people who quote verses, especially when they quote them to prove a point of their own making. Typically, people use this verse to tell others what they should not do.

Jesus did not give us these words to control others but to challenge ourselves. People tend to be hard on others and lax on themselves. This verse is speaking to that issue. Sadly, it is used on others in that hard way. But that is not the way Jesus intended.

Aim this verse at your own heart. You are not to be a censorious person, constantly evaluating everyone and everything around you. God says in Romans 12:17-21 that we are to leave judgment in His hands.

There are judgments to be made, and there is to be accountability in the community of believers. Aim for the balance here, not the extremes. The one extreme takes us to letting anything go on without confrontation, which is wrong. The other extreme is the judgmental spirit. It is this second extreme that Jesus was addressing here.

Don't judge others with this verse. Use it on yourself and reap the benefit Jesus promised.

"God, help me to challenge myself so that I will be neither a censorious person nor undiscerning, but have the balance You desire."

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[nChrist]

Title: On Our Own
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Judges 16-18, Luke 7:1-30
Key Verse: Judges 16:20

One of the easiest temptations to which people succumb is self-sufficiency. We take on tasks in our strength with our own abilities and ingenuity. The more we are self-sufficient, however, the less we are God-dependent.

Sampson demonstrated this. His strength was from God, but after a while he forgot that. Then came the day when the Lord left him, "but he did not know that" (16:20). When Delilah called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" he thought nothing had changed. Yet everything had changed.

Whatever physical ability Samson had was insufficient. His resourcefulness could not undo the cords that bound him. The Philistines were able to overcome him and, after blinding Samson, humiliated him.

His final act against the Philistines came when he prayed, "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more" (v. 28). Samson was no longer self-sufficient but was once again God-dependent.

Someone has said that "the Holy Spirit could be removed from the world and most Christians would not even notice." The point is that we tend to live, work and even serve God in self-sufficiency.

Are you dependent on God or independent of Him? The easiest tests to measure this are your prayers and your thoughts. Do you pray for God's help regularly, or only when up against a wall like Sampson was? Do you think about needing and receiving God's help, or do you just get things done in your own strength?

Don't be foolish. Why be self-sufficient when you can be God-dependent?

Think about what you will be doing today or tomorrow. Now ask God to help you with those tasks. Do this every day and experience not only God's help but learn to remember that you need His help.

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[nChrist]

Title: I Said I Loved You—Once
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Judges 19-21, Luke 7:31-50
Key Verse: Luke 7:47

There is an old joke about a wife asking her husband if he loves her. He assures her that he does. When she points out to him that he never tells her that he loves her, he replies, "I told you I loved you at our wedding. If anything had changed, I would have told you."

It would be the exceptional marriage that would thrive in the midst of such a drought of affirmation. For any relationship to continue to strengthen, there needs to be constant reaffirmations of love in both word and deed.

One day a woman expressed her love to Jesus. She did it by taking care of some basic needs, the sort of things a host would provide for a guest. It was a customary act of hospitality for a person's feet to be washed. That is what this woman did, even though Jesus was not a guest in her home. She not only washed his feet but demonstrated her thankfulness and love for Him by bringing perfume, drying with her hair her own tears that had fallen on his feet, and kissing his feet.

Jesus was criticized for her actions by his host, a Pharisee. But Jesus would hear none of it. This woman, who was forgiven for much, loved Jesus much and demonstrated it.

Does your love for Jesus show? Is it evident in your words and deeds? Whom are you most like-the host or the woman?

Begin with a prayer that expresses your love for Jesus, and then think about ways that you can show your love for Him today.

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[nChrist]

Title: No Investment, No Return
Book: Faith Walk
Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett


Ruth 1-4, Luke 8:1-25
Key Verse: Luke 8:8

What if you could be guaranteed that you would never lose money on any of your investments? You would jump at that opportunity! No losses, only gains.

If you find that deal, let me know. Until then, let me give you this tip. There is an investment opportunity that yields only gains, but it has nothing to do with money. Instead, it has everything to do with eternity.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells of a farmer who sowed seed. Some was lost, but "other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown" (v. 8).

When you "sow" the seed of the Word of God, some seed will not take root, but other seed will. Some, in a sense, will be lost. But this is an instance where your "losses" don't count against you. Your gains, though, are to your credit.

Still, the fact remains that if you do not sow, neither will happen. Jesus wants you to spread the Word, trusting Him for the results.

Where can you "sow" today? Is there a friend or acquaintance whom you should tell about Jesus?

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 8:26-56 1 Samuel 1-3

Strengthened through the Storms

1 Samuel 1-3, Luke 8:26-56
Key Verses: Luke 8:22-23

God sometimes leads us into difficult situations for our good and His glory. Do you believe that? Perhaps not, but keep it in mind as you look of the account of Jesus calming the storm.

He had put His disciples "in harm's way," so to speak. Jesus instructed them to go to the other side of the lake. Did He know there was a storm coming? Of course He did. As Warren Wiersbe points out, "It was a part of the day's curriculum." Jesus can use a storm to teach.

The disciples' reaction was normal. They despaired. "We're going to drown!" they cried. Sometimes the storms of life fill us with despair as well.

It was then that Jesus demonstrated His power. In Mark it is recorded that He said, "Quiet! Be still!" And it was (Mark 4:39). He has the power to calm the storms.

The result was a sense of awe on the part of the disciples. What Jesus had just done helped develop their faith as they began to see Him as more than a man. He is the God-man whom the winds and the waves obey.

It is the same for us at times. God deliberately leads us into difficult situations. We may despair, but it is in the storms that He can demonstrate His power. Our faith is strengthened as we see Jesus working in our lives through our difficulties.

Ask God to help you learn the lessons He has for you, even the ones taught through difficult situations.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 9:1-17 1 Samuel 4-6

Good Luck Charm

1 Samuel 4-6, Luke 9:1-17
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 4:3

Here's a short assignment. Do a study on the use of the word luck in the Bible. Let me make it easy for you-it isn't in the Bible. Most people like the idea of have "good luck," a force at work making things go well. Sometimes, though, it is "bad luck" that gets the blame for an undesirable turn in circumstances.

If only "luck" could be manipulated! Perhaps carrying a rabbit's foot would help. You do not have to look far to find examples of things people carry, things they do or don't do, or rituals they follow all in hopes of nudging luck to be good fortune.

That is essentially what Israel tried to do in a battle with the Philistines. They took the ark of God and treated it like a good luck charm. After a defeat they decided to "'bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies'" (4:3).

At first, Israel was encouraged and the Philistines discouraged by this act. When the Philistines heard the cheering from Israel's camp they were afraid. "We're in trouble!" they said. "Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods?" (vv. 7-8)

In the battle that followed, however, Israel was defeated and the ark captured. It didn't go as planned because God is not a good luck charm, something to help make things go well for us.

How do you regard God? Is your heart set on pleasing Him, or is your desire that He please you?

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 9:18-36 1 Samuel 7-9

Rejected

1 Samuel 7-9, Luke 9:18-36
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 8:7

Rejection always causes us to ask "why?" Sometimes you are the one doing the rejecting and have to answer the question. What happens when you return something you've purchased to a store? Typically, a clerk will ask why you want to return the item. Or perhaps something is given back to you, such as a proposal at work that is turned down. We can learn lessons from rejection.

Israel wanted a change in leadership. Samuel was old, and his sons were not good candidates to succeed him. So the elders said, "Appoint a king to lead us" (8:5).

When Samuel heard the request he felt rejected. But God assured him that he was not the one being rejected. The people were rejecting God.

Why? Because they wanted to be like other nations and serve other gods (vv. 5, 8). Even after being warned of the dangers of this, the people still said, "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations" (vv. 19-20).

Was that a good reason to ask for a king? No, but it was a common one. God's way is often rejected not for a better way, but for a preferred way. The preferred way appeals to man and, just as with Israel, is more like the way of the world.

Israel later reaped the negative effects of this decision-a sure result of rejecting God. Listen to His Word and follow His way, because that is the only path to blessing.

Consider carefully your choices and ask if they lead you closer to or further away from God. Determine that your heart will be set to follow Him.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 9:37-62 1 Samuel 10-12

A Too-Common Sin

1 Samuel 10-12, Luke 9:37-62
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 12:23

Last words typically catch our attention. When we are hearing someone give a farewell, whether it is at retirement or when death is imminent, we listen more intently-and if we are the one speaking, our words are more carefully chosen.

The people of Israel had asked for a king and God granted their request. Now Samuel was giving his farewell speech. The people agreed that he was leaving his office blameless. Having said that, Samuel then warned them, reminding the nation of past failures in hopes that they would learn from their history and not repeat it. His encouragement for the days ahead focused on serving the Lord with all their hearts.

Then comes the surprising statement. There is a sin that he himself was determined not to commit, yet one that to this day is an all too-common sin. "'As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you'" (12:23).

Could it be that to pray less is to sin more? A failure to be a person of intercessory prayer is, in Samuel's words, a sin against the Lord. While there are many good and profitable emphases on prayer today, there is also a noticeable lessening of emphasis. Fewer churches gather for prayer, accommodating instead the trend to give God less time during the week.

Join Samuel in this determination. Remember to pray for others.

Write the names of three others for whom you should pray today. Now, pray for them.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 10:1-24 1 Samuel 13-14

Results or Relationship?

1 Samuel 13-14, Luke 10:1-24
Key Verse: Luke 10:20

I heard it said that we live in a society of calibration, always seeing how we measure up. No wonder we like numbers and statistics. Checking the numbers, whether they are the value of our home, income level, or attendance figures, helps us know how we measure up compared with others.

One day I decided never again to ask other pastors about the size of their churches. It seems to be a staple of conversation, like talking about the weather. "So, how many attend your church?" Perhaps this question is asked from a good conscience, but it just as easily can be asked to see how one pastor measures up against another.

We all play the comparison game at times, whether we're comparing Beanie Baby collections, years on the job, or our credit level.

The disciples came back from a preaching mission talking about the results. "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name," they said (v. 17), but Jesus showed them what was more important. "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you," He said, "but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (v. 20). More important than results is the relationship we have with Jesus.

Knowing how we measure up compared with others may be the underlying motivation for some of our conversations. Examine your heart. Is the comparison really that important? Look instead at what matters for eternity-your relationship with Jesus.

And in your ministry, leave tallying results up to God. He knows the real score.

Your greatest joy should be your salvation. Ask God to help you rejoice in that, determine to serve faithfully, and leave the results with Him.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 10:25-42 1 Samuel 15-16

The Lexicon of Disobedience

1 Samuel 15-16, Luke 10:25-42
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15:23

Words fitly spoken are said to be like apples of gold. That familiar line stresses the importance of well-chosen words. Mark Twain said that the difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.

God chooses His words well. Careful attention should be paid to what He says and the words with which He says it. While the language of today seeks to minimize sin, God does not. It is striking to see the two bold statements found in 1 Samuel 15:23.

First, the open insurrection of rebellion is said to be the equivalent of "divination." People may call rebellion what they want, but God associates it with forms of spiritism and human sacrifice. When a person rebels against God, he is serving the one who is opposed to God. To rebel is to join forces with Satan.

Second, the pushy presumption called arrogance is linked to idolatry, the superstitious worship of household gods. An arrogant person refuses to submit to the commands of God and is in essence the worshiper of other gods.

The rebellious and arrogant person is following the path of a Satan-serving idolater-strong words that remind us how repulsive sin is to God.

Call sin what God calls it. His words are fitly spoken.

"Lord, help me see things as You see them so I can know what truly is sin. Keep me from the temptation to find other words for wrongful things and to remember that renaming does not change wrong to right."

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Luke 11:1-28 1 Samuel 17-18

The Reliant Heart

1 Samuel 17-18, Luke 11:1-28
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45

Upon whom or what do you rely? In a time of financial challenge, do you check your wallet? When health concerns surface, is your physician the source of your confidence? During the downs that come between the ups at work, is your network or resume your source of comfort?

When facing a problem, the natural tendency is to look over our resources, abilities and connections and find in them the confidence needed to get through.

Israel tried that route when faced with a problem of giant proportions-Goliath. No one, not even the king, who was head and shoulders above all others, would face the champion of the Philistines. And then David came on the scene. His reliance was not on past victories, though he had them, nor on the armor that was made available to him, nor on the weapons he carried with him.

David relied on God. That does not mean that he did not use his skills, ones carefully honed while shepherding his father's sheep. It does mean that his confidence was not in self alone.

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty," he said. (17:45). David wanted all to know that "it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's" (v. 47). God gave a swift victory to the one who trusted Him.

Not all our difficulties will be short-lived. Still, our confidence must not be in self alone but in God.

Whatever you face today, remember to trust in God. Ask Him to help you through the challenge before you.

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