Faith Walk

[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 23:16-35 Psalm 31-32

The Path

Psalms 31–32, Acts 23:16–35
Key Verse: Psalm 32:5

Someone once said, “Better the world on the shoulder like Atlas, than God’s hand on the heart like David.” This statement was in reference to Psalm 32:4, where David wrote, “Your hand was heavy upon me.” He described that experience with words of pain—bones wasting away, groaning all day long, strength sapped. All of these phrases contrast sharply with the opening verses of the psalm, which describe the pleasure of forgiveness. David could write personally about both the pleasure and the pain. He also could write of the path that takes one from God’s heavy hand to His blessing.

David had sinned, covered it up and experienced the pain that results. God sent his prophet Nathan to confront David and put him on the path to forgiveness. David took the needed steps. He acknowledged his sin to God.

We, too, must admit our sins to ourselves and to God. David confessed his transgressions, which goes beyond saying, “Yeah, I did wrong,” to saying, “I see that I sinned.” There is a difference in attitude between admission and confession. The difference is seen especially in the outcome. God forgives the one who truly confesses.

To the reader David says, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding” (v. 9). To state it bluntly, “Don’t be like a dumb animal.” At times God does put the bit and bridle in our mouths, but it is far better to heed His Word than wait for His rebuke. Choose to take the path that takes you out of the pain of unforgiven sin and returns you to the pleasure of forgiveness.

David hid his sin for a long time, a time he described in painful terms. Are you experiencing God’s hand heavy upon you? Right now you can confess your sin, receive forgiveness and know again the pleasure of forgiveness.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 24 Psalm 33-34

External Influences

Psalm 33–34, Acts 24
Key Verse: Acts 24:16

There is nothing like seeing a highway patrolman in the rearview mirror to get a person to drive the speed limit—or even a few miles under, just in case the speedometer is off a bit. When the internal moral compass is off a few degrees, an external influence, such as the sight of a patrol car, can set us straight again. God has given us “influencers” that can keep us doing right. Paul mentioned them in his defense before Felix.

“I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man,” he said (v. 16). Before that he named the things that kept him on track to a clear conscience. He worshipped God, living his life in response to Him. Who God is, what He says and what He does affected Paul’s life. He believed God’s Word. “I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,” Paul said (v. 14). His was not a vague spirituality, but a commitment to living out biblical truth. And he had an eternal perspective. There is more to life than this world. There is a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Knowing this also affected the way Paul lived.

His worship of God, belief in the Word and eternal perspective kept Paul on the right track. This trio of “influencers” needs to be ingrained in us as well and affect the way we live.

What keeps you from getting off track? Each of the influences that Paul mentioned is powerful, but together they are even more potent. Worship God. Live His Word. Remember eternity.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 25 Psalm 35-36

Topics of Conversation

Psalms 35–36, Acts 25
Key Verse: Psalm 35:28

Weather probably tops the list, followed by sports and perhaps something in the news as typical topics of conversation. It’s so easy to bring up these subjects. But do we really need another person to verify that it is hot today?

If these three are probably among the most common topics of conversation, what might be toward the bottom of the list? Our failures would probably make that list. Not too often do we bring them up in a conversation. “Let me tell you about how I messed up yesterday” is not an oft-used conversation starter. Also toward the bottom of the list might be these two: God’s righteousness and praise.

David said, “My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long” (35:28). Does that mean David never commented on the weather or talked about current events? No, but it does mean that the subjects of God’s righteousness and praise were not absent from his conversation, as they are often missing from ours. We can go days without praising God and telling others about Him. Here’s how to change that:

1. Read the Bible, especially the Psalms, where we so often find God praised.
2. Make a conscious effort to remember not only what you have read but what you have experienced of God’s goodness and greatness.
3. Repeat these things to others. Look for opportunities to speak of God’s righteousness and praise.

Take this as an assignment for today. Decide on one specific thing about God or something to praise Him for, and determine to tell that to at least one person you talk to today.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 26 Psalm 37-39

Short and to the Point

Psalms 37–39, Acts 26
Key Verses: Psalm 37:3–5

“Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point,” is the sentiment of some of us. We prefer concise, straight answers, not wordy explanations or instructions.

David got right to the point in Psalm 37. “Trust in the LORD” (v. 3). “Delight yourself in the LORD” (v. 4). “Commit your way to the LORD” (v. 5). “Be still before the LORD” (v. 7). In a beautiful simplicity, these statements say all we need to know and do.

Trust. Whatever our situation or circumstances, we need to have an abiding confidence in God.

Delight. Our heart’s affections need to be set on the Lord, learning to find our joy and delight in Him.

Commit. We need to determine that our life will be lived the way He wants it lived.

Be still. It is almost impossible to hear God while running, especially with the noise and confusion that so often crowds in on us. We need the still times.

Could more be said about these things? Of course. Occasionally we need the point driven home, explained, illustrated and applied.

Yet there remains in the simplicity of these statements straightforward communication that catches our eyes, our ears and hopefully our minds and hearts so that we trust, delight, commit and remain still, experiencing the blessing of God.

Read the rest of Psalm 37. What other phrases like these catch your attention? Highlight or underline them in your Bible.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 27:1-26 Psalm 40-42

Depression Relief

Psalms 40–42, Acts 27:1–26
Key Verse: Psalm 42:5

Depression has been called “the common cold of the mind.” Many people experience it in varying degrees; some are only mildly affected on occasion, while others are caught in a downward spiral of increasing hopelessness. Whereas some things can be fixed quite easily, a downcast soul resists the quick fix. Yet we must never lose sight of the fact that there is hope.

The psalmist described such times as making him feel like a deer panting for water, desperately needing it. His food had been his tears, and even his memories of worship had almost a taunting effect as he remembered how it used to be. Notice what he did to address and change his situation.

First, he asked himself why he was downcast. When we know why, we can deal with the cause and not just experience the effect.

Second, he did remember—not just the good days past, but he remembered God. He focused his mind to dwell on God, to hear His songs in the night.

Third, he put his hope in God, a hope so certain that he knew the day would come when he would “yet praise him” (42:5).

The difficult days do come, the times when our soul feels parched. The cause may be complex and the cure evasive, but don’t lose hope. Think through why, remember God, and determine to place your hope completely, without wavering, in God.

The praise song from this psalm is a beautiful reminder of why we should turn to God when feeling downcast. Perhaps today you need to do that. Ask God to help you understand why you are downcast, remember Him, and put your trust in Him alone.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 27:27-44 Psalm 43-45

When God Sleeps

Psalms 43–45, Acts 27:27–44
Key Verses: Psalm 44:23–24

Nothing is quite as unsettling as the phone ringing in the middle of the night. You pick up the receiver, hoping it is a wrong number, irritated if it is, angered if it’s a prank, but anxious as its sound jars you from your sleep. Remember the times you have been on the other end of those calls, when you were the one dialing a family member or friend because you needed them right then? Perhaps you even whispered, “Wake up, please wake up,” as the phone was ringing. “Wake up. I need you.”

There was a time when Israel felt as if God were asleep and they needed Him. The cry of the people was, “Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever” (44:23). It was a difficult time for them, not one that made sense in any respect, and it seemed that God was sleeping.

Now, God does not sleep. The Bible tells us that (Ps. 121:4). Still, there are times when it feels like He does, times when we want to rouse Him, like the ringing phone does us.

It’s easy to read the Psalms and focus on the praises, skipping over the pains. In the Psalms we find the full range of human emotion, the highs and the lows. This psalm is written from the depths. The people felt rejected, disgraced—for no apparent reason. It felt like God had gone asleep.

Yet their hope did not waver. They continued to cry out to Him, the One who would redeem because of His unfailing love.

In the dark times we may lack light to see our way clearly. The eyes of faith, though, will always be fixed on God. Pray that He will help you see Him clearly. Trust in His unfailing love even in the most difficult of times.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Acts 28 Psalm 46-48

Hitting the Pause Button

Psalms 46–48, Acts 28
Key Verse: Psalm 46:10

“Fast” and “faster” describe life today. Fast food picked up at the drive-through window. Computer processors and increased bandwidth for Internet access so information can flow even faster. Even our suitcases have wheels. Our lives are stuck on fast forward.

God says, “Be still.”

“Is He kidding? Me, be still? Not with my schedule!”

We are on a mad dash, moving too quickly for our own good, particularly our own spiritual good. We want Him to be for us “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (46:1), like one of those flat tire repair kits where you can plug the leak and inflate the tire with an aerosol spray can. No jack, no lug wrench, no wrestling a tire off, just a fast fix. If only God were like that—convenient, accessible, requiring no dirtying of the hands, quickly fixing the flats so we can keep on speeding down the road.

“Be still,” He says, and for good reason—“and know that I am God” (v. 10).

You may recognize your neighbor because you see his face as you drive by, but you will not really know him until you stop, get out of the car and spend time with him. Relationships are not built by a wave but a handshake, not by running past but by stopping to talk. What is true about getting to know our neighbor is true about getting to know God.

Do you take time to be still? Daily Bible reading, devotions and individual and corporate worship all require time, and flourish as we are still. Be still. Get to know God better.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 1 Psalm 49-50

A Healthy Self-Image

Psalms 49–50, Romans 1
Key Verse: Romans 1:1

These days, people never tire debating the importance of our self-image. We are told to understand what formed our self-image, to consider how as parents we shape a child’s self-image, to help others with their self-image, to be concerned whether or not we have a healthy self-image . . . and the list goes on.

How do you view yourself? Now compare your self-image to how Paul viewed himself. He viewed himself as a servant—literally, a slave. He belonged without reservation to Jesus. He viewed himself as an apostle, one who had been sent. His life’s work was to do what God sent him to accomplish as one appointed by God. He viewed himself as set apart specifically for the ministry of the Gospel, the good news of salvation in Jesus.

How he viewed himself affected what he did. Viewing himself as a servant affected his attitude toward God and others. What he did and why he did it was affected by understanding himself as one sent. Being set apart affected his aspirations, what he hoped to accomplish.

So with all this talk of self-image, we need to view ourselves like Paul, who saw himself from God’s perspective. God formed his self-image. Accepting what God wanted in his life enabled Paul to truly be what God wanted him to be.

Do you see yourself as a servant, sent and set apart? The temptation is to be in control of your own life when instead you need to recognize that Jesus is Lord. Ask God to help you be what He wants you to be.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 2 Psalm 51-53

Robbed

Psalms 51–53, Romans 2
Key Verse: Psalm 51:12

We have a constitutionally guaranteed right to the pursuit of happiness. Notice, however, that the right is not to happiness but to the pursuit of it. Many people seem to miss that fine line of distinction. They live as if happiness is a right and nothing should ever stand in the way of their having it.

What God gives us is not temporary happiness, something dependent upon the current situation, experiences, possessions, activities or feelings. He gives us joy, an abiding inner sense of well-being that is not dependent upon anything other than our relationship with Him. The biggest difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is temporary and dependent on other things, while joy is permanent, coming from our relationship with God. The one comes and goes while the other stays—unless we allow ourselves to be robbed of our joy.

David was robbed and wanted his joy restored. The robber was himself—specifically, his sin. Covering up his sin instead of confessing it brought pain into his life, the result of God at work bringing David to the point of repentance.

Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance. Finally, he confessed. Now he would find relief and joy.

Joy is not a right but a blessing. It is not fleeting like happiness, but we can be robbed of it. Joy can be restored, however, when we repent before God, crying out like David, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (v. 12).

Do you have joy? If something in your life has robbed you of it, follow the example of David. Read again Psalm 51, praying it as your own prayer before God.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 3 Psalm 54-56

Losing Weight

Psalms 54–56, Romans 3
Key Verse: Psalm 55:22

Disappointments, difficulties and the pains of life can weigh heavily upon us. That is why we use the word burden to describe them. Psalm 55 is the prayer of a burdened man, one that is written for our benefit.

David’s burdens included the especially painful one of verses 12 and 13. His close friend with whom he had worshipped had become his enemy. It may have been Ahithophel, grandfather of Bathsheba, who joined the rebellion of Absalom. Not only did David fear the effective counsel Ahithophel could give against him, but he also felt the pain of a lost friendship.

The burdens were heavy ones, each capable of feeling weighty alone. Together, they were more than enough for any man to bear.

As much as we might want to just dump our difficulties and escape, that isn’t an option. David tells us how to lose the weight. “Cast your cares on the LORD” (v. 22). God’s plan does not allow for us to be destroyed but to be sustained. But we must do our part; we must lay our burden on Jesus. He will sustain us.

Laying our burden on Jesus does not mean losing all responsibility. There still may be things we must do. It does not mean immediate escape. The reality of the burden may continue. It does mean, however, that the load is shifted in such a way that we now look at the burden differently. Yes, it is ours, but Jesus is bearing it.

Learn to cast your cares on God. Pray that He will sustain you, and don’t worry. When the worry starts up again, start praying again, asking God to help you give Him the burden.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 4 Psalm 57-59

Banking on the Right Thing

Psalms 57–59, Romans 4
Key Verse: Romans 4:3

It was hard for the Jewish people in Paul’s day to understand that their special covenant relationship with God was insufficient to save them. Even today many Jewish people believe that they are automatically a part of God’s family and need no personal salvation.

But the apostle Paul, who was himself Jewish, warned his fellow countrymen that it was not Abraham’s works or his circumcision but his faith that brought him to God.

Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 as proof. God told Abraham that the stars of heaven would not exceed the number of his descendants. But Abraham had no descendants; he was childless. Still, he “believed in the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Abraham believed God’s promise and God credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness.

That’s the way it is with us as well. We are not saved by who we are or by any rite such as circumcision or baptism. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

If you are banking on anything other than Christ’s death at Calvary to pay the penalty for your sin, you’re banking on the wrong thing. Have faith in Jesus’ death in your behalf, and let God credit that faith to your account as righteousness. It’s the only way to be saved.

“Lord, I believe that Jesus Christ died in my place, paying the penalty for my sin. I have faith that that is all You require for my salvation. Thank You for crediting my faith as if it were actual righteousness and for saving me.”

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 5 Psalm 60-62

The Hope of Spring

Psalms 60–62, Romans 5
Key Verses: Romans 5:1–2

Ray Stedman tells of a friend who lived in the Midwest. He lived in the country, and one stormy morning, in the dead of winter, he looked out his window and saw the mailman drive up and leave something in his mailbox. Wanting to see what it was, he dressed warmly and went out into the bitter cold. With the snow swirling about him, he walked about a quarter of a mile down the lane to where the mailbox was located. He opened the mailbox, and to his disappointment saw that all that was there was a seed catalog. But he opened it and began to thumb through it.

There is nothing like a seed catalog to capture the beauty and brilliance of flowers and vegetables. As he stood there in the snow, suddenly he felt as though spring had come. He could taste the crunch of a cucumber and smell the fragrance of those red roses and feel the juice of a red-ripe tomato running down his chin. It seemed as though winter faded for the moment and he was caught up in the beauty of spring and summer. Hope stirred within him!

The hope for the Christian goes far beyond a summer garden to eternity. The joy within our heart far surpasses that of a man looking at a seed catalog, because “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (v. 2).

“God, help me look beyond today and look forward to eternity. I may struggle now but have hope. Help me find the rejoicing that comes from the hope I have in You.”

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 6 Psalm 63-65

Freed from Sin

Psalms 63–65, Romans 6
Key Verses: Romans 6:22–23

A remarkable fact about Romans 6:23 is often missed—this verse was written to believers. We often use it to tell others about God’s gift of salvation, but Paul wrote it to the church. Too often the meaning of the text is missed because we think only in terms of how it applies to others. In this chapter, Paul is telling us how to say no to sin. One reason is found in these verses. We have been set free and are no longer a slave to sin.

In the past, the master we served was sin. Paul makes it clear that we were slaves to sin but have been set free by Christ. Our master now is God.

The penalty for sin, the former service, is death. Now, the believer’s outlook is to life. Before it was a “wage” that was earned. We were destined to receive what we deserved. Now it is a gift received, undeserved but freely given. Sin pays us what we earn, which is death, but God gives us what we need, which is life.

Paul wrote these words to the Christian as an encouragement not to sin. The chapter begins with a stirring call for us not to continue sinning.

Why keep living like a slave to sin? There is no good reason to. Instead, we should live like people who have received the greatest gift ever given, the gift of eternal life.

“God, help me to turn away from sin and turn to holiness. Help me see sin as You see it and understand that in Christ I am free from the penalty and power of sin.”

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 7 Psalm 66-67

At Ease in Zion

Psalms 66–67, Romans 7
Key Verse: Psalm 66:10

We prefer being at ease in Zion. It’s nice to sit on padded pews in air-conditioned auditoriums. Our version of “life is hard” comes in the form of a street being closed for widening. We complain over being inconvenienced when the work is being done for our convenience! We’re at ease in Zion, blessed, enjoying the good life.

Then one day the plug is pulled. A doctor’s grim expression belies the test results. Downsizing is not just a word found in a book on business trends but in a note in the pay envelope. Your accountant calls; the ink in his pen is red. You reach for the motion sickness pills because your boat is now rocking. Life is no longer smooth sailing.

There are times when God rocks our boat, and with a good purpose. He wants to test us so that we will emerge from the experience better. The imagery the psalmist used is that of the process for refining silver. Silver is heated to the point of melting so the impurities float to the surface. Then they are skimmed off, leaving better-quality silver, a more pure metal.

God at times tests us to remove the wrong and the unnecessary from our lives. We may find that these tests increase our praying, strengthen our faith and cause us to reorder our priorities. The result is a better-quality Christian, one who has been tested and strengthened.

Times of difficulty are tough. Don’t try to escape them. Instead, learn the lesson(s) God may have for you in those times. Ask Him to give you the wisdom to know what He is teaching you.

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Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Romans 8:1-21 Psalm 68-69

Mind Matters

Psalms 68–69, Romans 8:1–21
Key Verse: Romans 8:5

Sometimes our minds are like dry ground, rutted by erosion, with grooves that channel the water that runs over it. Mentally, we always seem to follow the same grooves. We get into a particular way of thinking, perhaps seeing only what we want to see or thinking about only what we want to think about. Events, values and memories are forced into the same grooves, cutting them even deeper.

Paul used different imagery to describe the mental rut. He wrote that for some people, their minds are set on the sinful nature. Since their minds are set that way, they live their lives according to the sinful nature. In contrast, Paul wrote, “Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (v. 5). If our disposition is toward the things of the Spirit, our lives will show it.

In exasperation, someone may rebuke us with the words, “What were you thinking about?” That’s a theologically astute question! It strikes at the heart of our actions, our mind-set.

Through your waking hours, your mind absorbs an overwhelming amount of information. Like water over the ground, it will channel into the mental grooves of your mind-set. Your preoccupation must be the things of the Spirit.

What preoccupies your thinking? Your mental grid must be spiritually oriented. Focus your thinking on the Word of God. Then, your mental pathways will develop a mind that is set on the Spirit.

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