John Stanko

Q56: Sleeping

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Why are you sleeping?" - Luke 22:46.

It is easy to get caught up in all kinds of things and let your spiritual life wane.  Or you can give so much physical energy to other things that you have none to devote to your spiritual life. When that happens, you can go to sleep spiritually and become dull to the things of God. Are you too busy to conduct the basic devotional exercises like reading and prayer? Read Ephesians 5:13-16 and do what you must to invest some of your time and energy in spiritual things.

Q55: Fear of Man

What would Jesus ask you today?

"How can you believe if you accept praise from one another,
yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" - John 5:44.

You are here ultimately to please God and not be a people-pleaser. While there is nothing wrong with accepting praise from others, that cannot be your motivation in life, especially if it is for conduct contrary to God's will or Word. Are you compromising some aspect of your faith in order to be popular or accepted? read Proverbs 29:25 and reflect on where the fear of man may have crept into your walk and work.

Q54: How Is It?

What would Jesus ask you today?

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36.

Be careful you aren't climbing a ladder that is leaning against the wrong wall! You may be making progress, but it may not be toward where you want to go. How is it with your soul?  Are you growing or stagnant? Learning or coasting? Closer to the Lord or more distant? Investing more time in career than the Lord or family? Read Joshua's vow in Joshua 24:15 and then decide if that is a commitment you can make today with your whole heart.

Q53: Condemnation

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Has no one condemned you?" - John 8:10.

When you sin, you can encounter feelings of condemnation and not fight them, concluding that you deserve to feel that way. That is wrong thinking!  Do you struggle with condemnation when you mess up? Do you feel like you deserve condemnation when you do? Read Paul's conclusion about sin and condemnation in Romans 7:21-8:4 and then determine to resist and refuse condemnation whenever and wherever it shows up in your life.

Q52: Lack

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Why are you talking about having no bread?" - Mark 8:17.

What you don't have can become your focus and limit what you can do and accomplish. It can also lead to discouragement, depression and despair.  If you think about what you do have, however, and ask God to bless and use it, you will be happier and more productive. Where is your focus?  On what you lack or what you have? Read Judges 7 and see how the Lord used a little to accomplish His purpose; He can do the same in your own life.

Q51: Press In

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Who touched my clothes?" - Mark 5:30.

Jesus is aware of your situation and hears when you seek Him. Don't be discouraged if it seems He is not responding. You keep pressing into Him and you will receive what you need, although you may be surprised at how He meets it.  Are you growing weary in seeking Him concerning your area of need?  Read the entire account in Mark 5:24-34 and then show the same determination this woman did to touch Jesus and have her need met.

Q50: Work It Out

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" - Luke 5:22.

It is not enough to change your external behavior; you must change at the heart level. You may be smiling on the outside, but harbor all kinds of hidden thoughts in your heart that lead to bitterness, anger and even hatred. Are you willing to have God change you on the inside? Are you willing to cooperate as He works those changes in you?  Read Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT) and meditate on what it means to work hard at working out your salvation.

Q49: Freedom

What would Jesus ask you today?

"How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions
unless he first ties up the strong man?" - Matthew 12:29.

Jesus was referring to the power of the devil under which all mankind operated until He came. Now there is a power that is able to set you free, but only if you choose freedom. Are you applying the power of God to set you free in every area of your life, including thoughts, actions, what you watch and what you do?  Read Acts 10:37-38 and then ask yourself if that same dynamic is present in your own relationship with Jesus.

Q48: Eyes and Ears

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" - Mark 8:18.

You don't see or hear with your eyes and ears. You see and hear with your brain and sometimes your thinking can actually block or cause you to misinterpret what is happening right in front of you. That can happen even with spiritual things. Are you willing to ask the Lord to open your ears and eyes to see what you are unable to see and hear? Read Genesis 21:14-19 to see what can happen when God opens your eyes!

Q47: Faith

What would Jesus ask you today?

"Where is your faith?" - Luke 8:25.

Where is your faith?  Is it in your own abilities, in your company, or you culture?  Those are important questions to answer, for faith in anything less than God and His word is faulty faith that is doomed to disappoint you. Take the time today to read Hebrews 11 and pick out one of the faith heroes listed there to do some additional study to learn about and imitate their faith.