time with God

May 22, 2020 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Out of Step

Out of Step

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt out of step? Things just weren’t quite right. You were a little “off,” reacting instead of taking the initiative on things. Overall, you were “blah.”

I feel one of those days coming on today. It’s just the beginning of the day and I’m not walking on solid ground. I started with my devotions, but they were interrupted. The time was cut short and I never settled into deep fellowship with the Father. I read Scripture, studied it, but had to pick up and leave for work before the Word of God deeply penetrated my heart.

Maybe that’s the key. If we are a little off in the day, we can look back at how we started. Was that time with God rushed and shallow? Were we too interested in getting something done instead of settling in with the Lord?

I confess that this morning, before my devotions, I spent 10 minutes adjusting the sprinklers in my lawn. You’d think that’s no big deal, but it stole precious time with God. On top of that, it occupied my mind as dawn arrived.

Settling in with God. The sound of that feels comforting and right. Unrushed. Listening to the Lord. Reading his Word. Praying. Not cutting it off early. Perhaps God wants you to spend an extra 10 minutes with him. Those 10 minutes could be soul refreshment. It could be the time you need so you don’t feel “off” that day. I needed it today.

Jesus is our anchor, our rock, refuge, fortress. Starting the day immersed in him is the steadiness we’re seeking. The Bible says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV) When our minds are occupied by the cares of life, we can’t walk with confidence. When we’re grounded in Christ, we know where our confidence is. We know we’re right with God. And when that happens, nothing can push us around.

Set your feet upon the rock today. As for me, I need to go back and get alone with God. Almost like a do-over. That might not be possible for you. So I recommend finding Scripture you can think about during the day. Write it down. Post it where you’ll see it. Read it. Pray through it. Quick prayers in the middle of a hectic day will bring you back to your Savior. And he is your rock. (1 Corinthians 10:4)

I have to remind myself that I live for the Lord, not for me, my organization, my dreams and goals, not even for my family. When I live for the Lord, my loyalties fall in place so I serve my company, goals, dreams and family even better.

It’s a matter of priority. Will I choose to put God first, giving him the first minutes of my day? Or will I let other tasks, thoughts, responsibilities and distractions get in the way? That’s what happened this morning.

Take a deep breath right now. Then another. Relax in the Lord. He has you. Now ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit. He’ll give you power for the day, free you to center your thoughts on him and enable you to exercise faith for whatever is ahead.

Get in step with Jesus. You can’t go wrong by going to Jesus first.

March 16, 2020 Jfuglerwriter 2 Comments

Coronavirus: A believer’s response

The Coronavirus pandemic has rocked our world. Not just the globe, but our personal lives. Everyone is talking about it. Opinions are flying everywhere. Fear has nations in its grip.

As believers, how are we supposed to respond? Our faith is certainly put to the test. If we believe God is sovereign, ruler of everything (including the Coronavirus), fear shouldn’t even be in our vocabulary. But, for many Christians, it is.

That’s easy to understand. Wherever we turn, news of the Coronavirus pops up. Every third email is about the Coronavirus, sent by my bank, airlines, department stores, my church, hotel chains and my financial advisor.

Our emotions are frayed. On the outside, we appear calm, but our intense discussions say otherwise. In all of this, we might find it hard to shut out the world and open our hearts to Jesus.

Everyone is talking about the Coronavirus.

And so is God.

He has been talking about it for centuries. It may have been under a different name, but this crisis is not new to him. Imagine the lepers of the New Testament, the Bubonic Plague centuries ago and Ebola that is wreaking havoc in Africa. The Swine Flu over a decade ago. And there are other earth-shattering crises I could name.

God has been speaking about calamities since the beginning of time. These upheavals get our attention. And the attention of the world.

God’s timeless words reach us in the pandemonium of the pandemic. Jesus said, “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

The early church was encouraged by the Apostle Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

For the first time in my memory of 60 years, our world has come to a halt. It won’t be for a day, or a week, but it could be for months. Who knows?

Your social life is on hold. Your church life, too. And any sports or cultural events on your schedule are cleared out. Trips you’ve planned are likely pushed back indefinitely. Schools are closed. Workplaces are resorting to remote officing.

I just had a conference postponed, as well as an international visit from a colleague. We’ll meet by Zoom.

Life is at a crawl. This is a serious thing for many businesses. My son works for an airline. That industry has been quickly crushed. Your own work situation might be tentative.

In the midst of this crisis comes opportunity. You now have the time to spend with God. Your schedule has opened up in a way it may never have before and may never open up in the future. The blocks of time you had set aside for events, trips, gatherings and other activities are now wide open.

John Piper wrote a book over a decade ago called Don’t Waste Your Life. A few years later, he came down with cancer. His pulpit message soon after was, “Don’t waste your cancer.” His message was that everything in our lives can be used for God’s glory.  Even bad things.

Let’s not waste the Coronavirus. This evil disease will not beat us, but it is a trigger to get our relationship right with God. We can experience a renewed intimacy with the Lord, going deeper than we ever have. Not for temporary results, but lifelong.

(Taken from my new book, Fresh Faith: Leaning on God in the Corona Crisis. Available NOW. Free).

December 26, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Christmas Every Day

Christmas Every Day

We make a lot of Christmas each year, but for believers we celebrate the King every day. At least we should.

As you look back at Christmas, are you leaving Jesus in the manger? Think about how you can honor him as King in the year ahead. First of all, giving him your best time is a great way. Start the day with God, spending time with our Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart.

I’m finishing up a year-long study in Luke that I had thought would take three months. I’m racing to complete the final chapter by New Year’s Eve. I think I’m going to make it.

he point is this. Instead of rushing through the book and the study guides, I took as much time as God wanted me to. He had a lot to say to me this year through Luke. Giving Jesus time was a way I honored him as King. And I’ve enjoyed being with him each morning.

I’ve made my choice for 2019 and how I’ll start every day with God. I’m planning to explore prayer. Who knows how long it will take? I have 12 lessons in the study guide I’m using. It could take 12 weeks. Or 12 months! The guide is just a guide. I let God work in my heart free-form.

How will you honor Jesus as King in 2019? Our Savior went from the manger to the cross in 33 years. He did that for us. And when he rose again, he declared is rule of over all. Sin, death, Satan — everything. Let’s give him honor throughout the year ahead.

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