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Choose the right thoughts
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Col 3:2 NIV
Marcus Aurelius said, “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” Unfortunately, you can’t stop thinking wrong thoughts just by trying harder. But you can do this: You can “set your mind.” The most basic control you have when it comes to your mind is your ability to choose what you pay attention to. At any given moment, it’s within your capacity to turn your thoughts in one direction or another. That helps explain why two people in the exact same set of circumstances can have completely different perspectives and experiences. The following excerpts from a dog’s diary and a cat’s diary may make you smile. But hopefully they will also make you stop and think about the difference your attitude can make. Dog’s Diary: 8:00 a.m. Ate dog food. My favorite thing! 9:00 a.m. Went for a car ride. My favorite thing! 9:40 a.m. Walked in the park. My favorite thing! 10:30 a.m. Got rubbed and petted. My favorite thing! 12:00 p.m. Ate lunch. My favorite thing! 1:00 p.m. Played in the grass. My favorite thing! 3:00 p.m. Wagged my tail. My favorite thing! 5:00 p.m. Ate a treat. My favorite thing! 7:00 p.m. Played ball. My favorite thing! 8:00 p.m. Watched TV with my people. My favorite thing! 11:00 p.m. Slept on the bed. My favorite thing! Now let’s look at the cat. Cat’s Diary: Day 983 of my imprisonment. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre dangling objects. The one thing that helps me carry on is my dream of escape. Two critters…similar situations…totally different experiences. What made the difference? One chose the right thoughts and the other didn’t.
Forming healthy relationships
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Ps 147:3 NIV
If you’re recovering from a bad relationship, it’s a mistake to rush into another one. Unhealthy people make unhealthy choices. Some wounds take longer to heal than others, but you can count on this promise: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” All God asks is that you give Him a chance. Start by taking time to search His Word to find out how He feels about you. His opinion is the only reliable foundation on which to build your self-worth. If a perfect God with full knowledge of your struggles and shortcomings can love you, the message is—lighten up on yourself! You can only love, or be loved again, with the same wholeness with which you love yourself. Next time make sure your choices aren’t predicated on need or the fear of being alone. And be careful: When you don’t value yourself, you attract people who won’t value you either; people who will use you for their own ends. You deserve better, so hold out for it. You train others how to treat you by how you treat yourself. And as you become spiritually and emotionally whole, you will start seeing how unhealthy some of your former choices have been. If some people walk away, so be it. Sometimes you have to give up less in order to have more. The God who said, “It is not good for man to be alone” has new relationships in mind for you. But He is waiting until your values and self-perception line up with His. So take it step by step, one day at a time. And remember to rejoice—your best days are still ahead!
Handling temptation Christ’s way (2)
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Lk 4:13 NIV
Observe this: (1) Temptation comes when you’re alone without support. Just as a wolf looks for the sheep that wanders from the safety of the fold, when you neglect Christian fellowship and cut yourself off from other believers, the Enemy rejoices. You say, “But I have the Lord with me always.” Yes, but here is how the Bible teaches us to overcome temptation: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecc 4:12 NLT). We are born, and born again, to walk this journey with others. Paul writes, “The body is not made up of one part but of many…The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1Co 12:14, 21 NIV). Walking in step with other believers increases your protection against Satan. (2) Your greatest weapon in the hour of temptation is knowing God’s Word. Jesus repelled Satan’s attacks by quoting it. Satan is rendered powerless when he is confronted by a believer who declares, “It is written!” You must decide to take a stand, but it’s your stance on God’s Word that makes the Enemy retreat. When Satan approached, Jesus didn’t go looking for a Bible; He quoted the Word He knew by heart. That’s your key to victory. John says, “I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one” (1Jn 2:14 NLT).
Beware of an elitist attitude (3)
“Humble yourselves…and…he will lift you up in honor.” 1Pe 5:6 NLT
Have you ever looked down on someone because they didn’t share or possess the advantages that you enjoy in life? Do you feel superior to others in any aspect of your life? Do you believe that being part of a particular denomination puts you in a special class? Maybe your well-toned physique makes you feel superior to the overweight multitudes. And what if you are renowned in your community? Do you think you should always be escorted to front-row seats at public meetings? If so, it’s time to submit your attitude to the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to elitism, there is another side to the coin. It’s possible to label a person or a group as elitist merely because they enjoy a particular advantage that you find intimidating and alienating due to your own self-doubt, or to try to improve your image in others’ eyes. Politicians do this. A candidate may accuse his opponent of elitism simply because of access to family wealth, or a diploma from a prominent university, or a high profile, or influential friends. As a result, that opponent accuses the other of reaching out to blue-collar workers and being disingenuous about how regular and down to earth they are. In the final analysis, it’s not what you do but what you believe that establishes whether you have an elitist attitude. The truth is, it’s easy to spot pride in others and hard to see it in yourself. That’s why Peter writes, “Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
Beware of having an elitist attitude (1)
“Don’t think you are better than you really are.” Ro 12:3 NLT
Paul writes: “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (vv. 3-6 NLT). Paul is teaching us this important principle: “Don’t have an elitist attitude!” If you are an elitist, you must deal with the truth that every advantage or favor you enjoy is a gift from God (See 1Co 4:7). Whatever God has given you or allowed you to accomplish must never be used for personal exultation. Even if you think you achieved each of them on your own, read these words and take them to heart: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being…he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names” (Php 2:3-9 NLT).
Are you critical of others?
“We have done foolishly…we have sinned.” Nu 12:11 NKJV
If you think criticizing others is just exercising your right to free speech and it’s no big deal, stop and consider these four things: (1) God saw it as a sin when Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. He smote Miriam with leprosy, and Aaron was quick to repent: “We have done foolishly…we have sinned.” Yes, God healed Miriam, but not before she had been publicly embarrassed. (2) A critical attitude will hurt you relationally. “Then the Lord said to Moses…‘Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and afterward she may be received again’” (v.14 NKJV). Leprosy was contagious, and those who had it were isolated from others. There is an important lesson here. When you become known for a critical attitude, people will distance themselves from you and avoid you. It’s a trust issue; they know if you will talk to them about others, you will talk to others about them. (3) A critical attitude hinders everybody’s progress. “So Miriam was shut out of the camp seven days, and the people did not journey till Miriam was brought in again” (v.15 NKJV). Have you ever been part of an organization where one fault-finding person destroyed the effectiveness and hindered the progress of the entire group? (4) A critical attitude hurts your relationship with God. “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends…Such people will stand firm forever” (Ps 15:1-3, 5 NLT).
Meditate—percolate (4)
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Ps 119:97 NKJV
Bible meditation is different from meditation as we know it in our society. Meditation, as popularly taught by the Eastern philosophies, tells you to empty your mind. That’s the exact opposite of what the Scriptures say! Bible meditation means filling your mind with the truth God has revealed. David was a king. Imagine the pressures and problems, demands and decisions he faced each day. Yet he said, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Have you observed that we waste an awful lot of time doing mundane things such as holding on the phone, waiting in line, driving to work? In big cities, people often spend an hour or more going to work, and the same coming home. That’s ten hours a week. Forty hours a month. Four hundred eighty hours a year. That’s an extraordinary amount of time! The question is, what are you doing with your mind during this time? Just driving along with your mind in neutral? Or listening to the radio or a CD or music on your smartphone? Or getting angry at all the drivers around you? What a great time to get your mind in gear! What an opportunity to grow spiritually and mentally! What exercise does for your body, meditation does for your soul. The Bible says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Pr 23:7 NKJV). A sign on someone’s office wall read: “You are not what you think you are. But what you think—you are!” If you want your life to be different, start thinking different thoughts; meditate on God’s Word!
Meditate—percolate (2)
“Line upon line, here a little, there a little.” Isa 28:13 NKJV
Let’s take this meditate-percolate idea a step further. (If you’re a tea drinker, substitute the word “brew.”) Maybe this will help you ease into meditation instead of feeling overwhelmed by the thought that you don’t have the time or discipline to do it. This is not an all-or-nothing challenge. Take small steps. If you have only ten minutes, maximize each one of them. You don’t have to read ten chapters of your Bible. You’re not doing a book report for school, and you’re not going to be graded on a test. Read this verse and it will help you: “But the word of the Lord was to them, ‘precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little’” (v. 13 NKJV). God’s Word is so rich with truth that you can take one phrase or one idea and let it percolate and brew in your mind, whether you have ten minutes or two hours. Instead of watching TV or constantly checking your iPhone for messages, just sit still, drink your coffee or tea, and let God’s indwelling Spirit interpret, enlarge, and enrich His Word as you roll it over and over in your mind. Think about it during your drive time, or your lunch or coffee breaks. Some days you will feel like you have hit the jackpot spiritually; other days you will just feel like you have added a little more to your basic Bible knowledge. Consistency is the key. Do this for one year, and you will have 365 scriptural insights to draw on. Can you see how this could change your life for the better?
Learn to manage your emotions
“He comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Ge 50:21 NKJV
If you have read the story of Joseph, you realize he had every reason to be angry, bitter, and vindictive for the despicable way in which his brothers treated him. But what does he do? He doesn’t get enraged and he doesn’t even get even. He helps Egypt, the land that enslaved and falsely imprisoned him, to survive famine. He feeds his family when they come begging for food. He forgives, and in doing so, he is freed from his negative emotions. He resolves the issues of the past, does not allow them to deter his destiny, and stays in the favor of God. As second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph held the power of life and death over those who had hurt him. Yet he told them: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (vv. 20-21 NKJV). We all have emotional reactions in our relationships; the problem isn’t the anger or the disappointment—unless you are controlled by your emotions. Anytime anger causes you to damage the things God has given you charge over, your emotions are being mismanaged. You give territory to the devil when you fail to manage your anger. “‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Eph 4:26-27 NLT). So the word for you today is—learn to manage your emotions.
What are you hiding behind?
“He is hiding among the baggage.” 1Sa 10:22 NLT
When Samuel went to present Israel’s first king to the people, Saul was discovered “hiding among the baggage.” The Hebrew word for baggage symbolizes the self-imposed limitations that hinder you from tackling the job God appointed you to do. Things like these: (1) Feelings of inadequacy. Saul’s first response when he learned he had been chosen as king was, “Am I not…from the smallest tribe of Israel…the least of all?” (1Sa 9:21 NIV). When you fail to figure God into the equation, you will always feel “less than.” Instead of focusing on your own weaknesses and inabilities, concentrate on “the incredible greatness of God’s power” (Eph 1:19 NLT). (2) Fear of what others might think. The writer of Proverbs tells us “fearing people is a dangerous trap” (Pr 29:25 NLT). And Saul fell into it headfirst! When Samuel confronted him for failing to obliterate the Amalekites, he replied, “I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded” (1Sa 15:24 NLT). God’s Word assures us, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So…we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper…I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb 13:5-6). Once you take hold of that truth and act on it, you will find there is nothing to be afraid of. (3) Being overly pragmatic. The Bible says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (Jas 1:8). And Saul fit the bill to a tee! When he didn’t hear from God, he took matters into his own hands and consulted a psychic. And after promising not to harm David, he repeatedly hunted him down. Adaptability is commendable, but God requires consistency and commitment.
Getting beyond the guesswork (3)
“When I open a door, no one can close it.” Rev 3:7 CEV
Here are two more ways to know God’s will for your life: (1) Providential circumstances. When God is leading, the way will open up for you. When He sends you, He goes before you (See Jn 10:4). His Word says, “When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it.” Who opens the right doors? God. Who closes the wrong doors? God. The right doors lead to blessing, but the wrong doors lead to pain and loss. Plus, nothing but unbelief can keep a door closed once God commands it to open. The only help God needs from you is: “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you” (Ex 14:13 NAS). (2) Inner “traffic lights.” The old-timers in the faith would say, “I always watch for the ‘checks’ in my spirit!” You’re a new creature with a new spiritual nature that’s “alive unto God,” equipped to sense God moving within you (See Ro 6:11). And while the counsel of wise and mature Christians can help, the last word must be spoken in your own heart. “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Php 2:13 NIV). If your will is surrendered to God, He is at work in you directing your will and behaviors. Believe it, because He declares it! He will give you the “red light” when He wants you to stop, and the “green light” when He wants you to go. Don’t go on red! Don’t stop on green!
Getting beyond the guesswork (1)
“God…works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Php 2:13 NIV
Remember the childhood game Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Winning in that game was “a-stab-in-the-dark” process. And for many of God’s children, determining His will and purpose for their lives amounts to a similar method. But it doesn’t have to. Here are some scriptural steps that take the guesswork out of it. (1) Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Understanding God’s will is impossible until you commit yourself unreservedly to doing it. Any desire to retain your own will blinds you to His. You don’t need a detailed map; it’s a journey of faith. Be confident that God loves you and wants only the best for you, and that when you submit yourself to Him, “You will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (Ro 12:2 NCV). (2) Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and trust it. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to figure out His will for your life. He is our Good Shepherd, and His “sheep recognize his voice…He…leads them…and they follow him because they know his voice” (Jn 10:3-4 NLT). Note the words, “recognize his voice.” With time and experience, you will learn to know when God is speaking to you. Like Abraham who submitted to God’s will without knowing where he would be led, you’re called to surrender your will without knowing where He will lead you. God promises wisdom, insight, and understanding—not to the spiritually smart, but to any person who lacks wisdom (See Jas 1:5-6). So believe that His wisdom is yours!
What do you “see”? (2)
“I am doing a new thing…do you not perceive it?” Isa 43:19 NIV
Your life will manifest what you continually keep in front of you. Paul says, “We have the mind of Christ” (1Co 2:16 NIV), and creativity and vision are part of the package. A blind man asked St. Anthony, “What could be worse than losing your sight?” He replied, “Losing your vision.” And a respected author adds, “Maybe you’re not experiencing God’s best because your vision needs to be improved. You say, ‘I have problems…I’m in debt…I’m lonely.’ Don’t let that image take root. Paint a new picture…See yourself stronger and healthier…rising higher…accomplishing your dreams…let the image of victory take hold. Get it on the inside…[Remind yourself] of these scriptural truths: ‘I can do all things through Christ’ (Php 4:13); ‘This is the day the Lord has made’ (Ps 118:24 NKJV); ‘We are more than conquerors through [Christ]’ (Ro 8:37); ‘God…always causes us to triumph in Christ’ (See 2Co 2:14); ‘You bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor’ (Ps 5:12 NIV); ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life’ (Ps 23:6 NKJV).” In Bible times wine was stored in leather wineskins, but as they aged, they lost their flexibility. New wine always required new wineskins. And just like, “You can’t pour new wine into old wineskins” (See Mt 9:17 NKJV), God can’t give you a new vision until you change the old images and attitudes you’re carrying around in your head. God says, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” He is ready to do something new in your life today. Are you ready to change your old way of thinking and make room for it?
Keep your group healthy
“There is one who scatters, yet increases…and…one who withholds… but it leads to poverty.” Pr 11:24 NKJV
Not all poverty is financial; there is a spiritual poverty that comes from not reaching out to others. Pastor Allen White says, “Sometimes it makes sense to keep your group small, but the following reasons don’t count: (1) ‘We value closeness.’ Too much closeness can cause your group to become ingrown. The motto changes to ‘Us four and no more’ or ‘We seven going to heaven.’ What was once so great becomes the death of the group. Members move away, schedules conflict, the group begins to decline around the two-year mark, and it’s harder to recruit new members. There is too much history going on. (2) ‘Outsiders might upset our rhythm.’ People get comfortable with familiar patterns. They sit in the same place and make the same inside jokes, but a comfort zone can quickly become a rut. New people don’t ‘get’ the jokes, they don’t know the routine, and what’s worse, they sit in your spot! (3) ‘Confidentiality.’ It is paramount because ‘loose lips sink ships.’ When new members join, review the ground rules. The conversation might go like this: ‘Since several new folks have joined, let’s take a minute to review the ground rules. We value confidentiality, and anything said here needs to stay here.’ If they agree, you’re good to go. (4) ‘If we get too big, we’ll have to divide.’ When it comes to the ideal group size, eight to twelve seems to work well. But numbers aren’t nearly as important as what’s happening inside the group. When numbers go up, personal care sometimes goes down.” Bottom line: Keep your group healthy.
Navigating life’s losses (3)
“A time to gain, and a time to lose.” Ecc 3:6 NKJV
How can we help our children navigate life’s losses? (1) Don’t underestimate their capacity for grief. Children are often the “forgotten” grievers. Their pain is real and intense; recognize and validate it. (2) Don’t avoid talking about the loss when they’re present. Excluding them from adults in mourning denies them the opportunity for support, and increased understanding about their loss. Include them in the family’s collective grief experience. (3) Encourage them to share their feelings about the loss. Teach them that being “real” is more important than being “strong,” and confirm that their feelings matter. Very young children have limited understanding about the meaning, permanence, and irreversibility of death. They can only talk about it briefly and concretely. Older children understand its meaning and should be encouraged to talk about it. (4) Make allowance for each child’s personality. Our personality determines our grieving style. Introverted children may need their own space; extroverted ones may need to be verbal and sociable. Dependent children need strong adults around them; independent ones can handle a lot on their own. (5) Communicate realistically with them. Adults often use language that confuses children. “Your dad has gone home…fallen asleep…passed away…gone to his rest,” etc. Speaking of death as the end of this physical life is biblical, clarifies the significance of the loss, and allows children to ask questions that matter to them. Your children can handle loss, and they can understand that everlasting life is God’s great solution and one day we will join our loved ones in heaven (See Jn 14:2-3).
In training for better things
“God causes everything to work together.” Ro 8:28 NLT
When Joseph was thrown in prison, it was hard for him to see how this road would lead to the fulfillment of his dream, but it did. That’s because God had a plan for his life. And He has one for yours too! Your current job may just be preparation for the job God really has in mind for you. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but, if you stay faithful, there will come a time when you look back and realize how God directed your steps (See Ps 37:23). Refuse to embrace any concept of victimhood that would steal your contentment. Your job, in spite of its difficulties, would have been the dream of some of your forefathers. Didn’t you pray for this job you’re now complaining about? As difficult as this may be to accept, you’re where you are for a reason—and for a season. So study, do the coursework, take the tests, graduate, and move on to what God has for you next. There are certain qualities you need to take with you from your present position into your next one. Things like skill building and character development. You may need to learn computer and social media skills—plus patience and gratitude. You may need to learn how to manage an office—plus how to manage your moods. When you’re led by God, no experience is ever wasted because “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Ro 8:28 NLT). God knows what He is doing, so trust Him; He uses every experience to bring about His will and fulfill our joy.
Blending two families
“Live in peace.” 2Co 13:11 NKJV
The Brady Bunch was a popular television show where a mom and dad with six kids created one big happy family without conflict or rivalries. The problem is it seldom happens that way. So, if you’re planning to remarry, here are three challenges you will need God’s help with: (1) It’s common for kids to see a new stepparent as a usurper. Their loyalty to the memory of their departed mother or father can be intense. For them to welcome a newcomer feels like an act of betrayal. This can place the stepparent in a real bind. (2) It’s common for one child to move into the power vacuum left by the departing parent and see themselves as a surrogate spouse. The status and power that come with this supportive role is very strong, and a youngster can be unwilling to give it up. (3) Each of us is irrationally committed to our own flesh and blood while being merely acquainted with others. So when conflict arises in the family, parents are almost always partial to those they brought into the world. And when children sense this tension between parents, some of them will try to exploit it to their advantage. That’s why, statistically, second and third marriages have a higher failure rate than first ones. But there is good news: “With God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26). What should you do? Seek professional counseling as early as possible. Yes, it costs, but a divorce will cost you even more. And include God; He can give you the patience, wisdom, and love you need. “Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Co 13:11 NKJV).
Handling temptation Christ’s way (1)
“For forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Lk 4:2 NIV
Here are some practical pointers from Jesus for handling temptation: (1) Your temptations are like the ones He faced. “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are” (Heb 4:15 CEV). You say, “But you don’t understand how bad my temptations are.” No, but Jesus does. The fact that “He was tempted in every way” means He has been there, felt the urge, and understands your vulnerability firsthand. You can turn to Him when temptation hits, confident He has walked the same path and He will help you. (2) Temptation often comes after spiritual victory. Jesus had just been baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and God declared His pleasure in His Son—then Satan struck full force (See Mt 3:16-17; 4:1-11). High spiritual moments can leave you with your guard down, susceptible to attack. Paul says, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Co 10:12 NKJV). People often crash and burn after big accomplishments. Ministers, for example, can be prone to temptation after delivering a great sermon. (3) Temptation comes when you’re exhausted. Forty days without eating had left Jesus physically depleted. When your resources are drained, you’re a target for attack. Lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, stretching yourself too thin, no exercise, anxiety, and discouragement can open the door to temptation. When you feel down, your focus blurs, your awareness is dulled, your spiritual edge diminishes, and you’re not on guard against the Enemy’s approaches and schemes. The Bible says, “Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up” (1Pe 5:8 MSG).
Beware of an elitist attitude (2)
“It was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” 1Co 15:10 NLT
Anytime you think less of someone because they’re not a member of your race, denomination, gender, or social group, you’re displaying an elitist attitude. Elitism is rooted in pride, and “God opposes the proud but favors the humble” (Jas 4:6 NLT). Here are two Bible examples of the elitist “they are not one of us” attitude: (1) When God poured out His Spirit upon the seventy elders who led Israel, they all prophesied. Two of them were not present when it happened. Later, Joshua saw them prophesying and reported it to Moses. “‘My lord, forbid them!’ Then Moses said to him, ‘Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!’” (Nu 11:28-29 NKJV). Joshua believed that only a select group were qualified. (2) “John said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.’ ‘Don’t stop him!’ Jesus said. ‘No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us’” (Mk 9:38-40 NLT). If you exclude others or feel superior to them in any aspect of life, read these words from Paul: “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”
Don’t be self-righteous
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you should.” Ro 12:3 GNT
“‘Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else…I don’t cheat…sin…commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted’” (Lk 18:10-14 NLT). The lesson in this story is, God has more tolerance for an honest sinner than a self-righteous Christian. When the Pharisee was congratulating himself for the sins he didn’t commit—cheating, adultery, etc.—he was guilty of the sin of spiritual pride. Question: What good behavior is a source of pride to you? Do you measure others by your performance and mark their scorecard accordingly? The only performance that makes any of us acceptable to God is based on Christ’s performance on the cross. “God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2Co 5:21 NLT). The righteousness that saves us is imputed—not earned. So don’t be self-righteous!
Meditate—percolate (5)
“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Ps 19:8 NKJV
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes…More to be desired are they than gold…sweeter also than honey…by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (vv. 7-8, 10-14 NKJV). This prayer shows that the psalmist regarded meditation as an utter necessity to his spiritual life. And if that was true for him in his day, how much more vital is it for you today! You need to bathe your mind each day in the waters of God’s Word so that your words and your thoughts are pleasing in His sight. Use your time—the start of the day, at coffee break, during your lunchtime, riding home from work, before falling asleep at night—to reflect upon the truth of God’s Word. The greatest changes in your life will come through the process of meditating on the Scriptures—just letting the Word of God filter and percolate through your mind and into your life. First-class Bible reading calls not for snapshots but for timed exposures.
Meditate—percolate (3)
“You shall meditate on it day and night.” Jos 1:8 NAS
Bible meditation has fallen out of favor. Why? Because we live in an instantaneous society, and a preoccupied society. We have so much stuff coming at us from TV, cell phones, email, texts, snail mail, satellite links, cable news feeds, and podcasts that we hardly have a moment to react—much less reflect. Get real! You can’t “download” spiritual maturity by hitting a few keys on a computer. That’s why the Scriptures speak so often about meditation. God, the author of the Bible, gave Joshua the formula for succeeding in your career and prospering in whatever you put your hand to: “This Book of the law shall not depart from your mouth [speak the Scriptures every chance you get], but you shall meditate on it [when?] day and night, so that you may be careful to do [not just know, but do!] according to all [you can’t pick and choose] that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (v. 8 NAS). Note the words “you will make.” To succeed in life, you must do something. Do what? Meditate in God’s Word! How often? “Day and night.” So what portion of Scripture were you thinking about this morning as you started your day? Or while driving to and from work? For that matter, when was the last time you consciously reflected on any Bible truth or principle? If you can’t remember, start making some changes right away. Paul told Timothy: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1Ti 4:15 NKJV). And that’s still the rule!
Meditate—percolate (1)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Col 3:16 NKJV
Meditating in Scripture is one of the great keys to spiritual growth. In Psalm 1, David writes, “In His law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2 NKJV). But the word “meditation” is not one that a text-and-Twitter generation relates to very well. We imagine sober-faced monks wearing hair shirts and chanting on bended knees as the sun comes up every morning. As a result, we want to run in the opposite direction. We admire such people, think God has to call us to such a thing, and conclude that He certainly hasn’t called us to do it. Or we think meditation is a discipline that requires hours of uninterrupted time, and time is the one thing we don’t have any more of. And the result? We live busy but spiritually barren lives. Some of us actually think meditation is a fine thing, but we believe that there are too many other areas of spiritual growth and character development we need to work on first. What’s the problem? We don’t understand what it means to meditate, or the rich benefits it will give us. A spoon of instant coffee is okay if you just want the basic taste of coffee. But if you want more—if you want to enjoy the flavors of the coffee in all their richness—you have to let it percolate. So, we could paraphrase the Scripture this way: “In His law he percolates day and night.” That is what Paul meant here: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Today, enjoy the aroma, taste the flavor, and experience the strength of percolating on God’s Word.
Use your gift
“God has given each of you a gift.” 1Pe 4:10 NLT
The Bible says: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety…Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God” (vv. 10-11 NLT). You may not be fortunate enough to work at a job that utilizes your gifts, but you should at least be moving in that direction. Paul worked as a tentmaker to finance his calling as a preacher. So if you know you’re a creative person with aptitude for design and visual arts, and you’re currently exasperated by your accounting job, it may be time to reconsider your career goals. If you like to solve problems and enjoy information technology, but you’re currently working as a pastry chef, it’s time to step back and reassess. You may not be able to make a living using your foremost gifts right away, and have to work in an unrelated field for awhile. That’s okay, but your sights must stay set on following God’s calling. Moses spent two-thirds of his life getting ready for his real assignment leading the children of Israel into the promised land. God never wastes experience. Often the wisdom you glean from a job you don’t want equips you to succeed in the one you do; the one God has chosen for you. So keep growing and keep believing God. Then, when He opens the door, you will be ready to walk through it.
Don’t even THINK about quitting!
“We don’t give up and quit.” 2Co 4:8 TLB
Here are some reasons why we quit: (1) We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we think it’s better not to try again than risk failing. Don’t spend your life digging up bones! We all have things in our past we would rather forget. Put them behind you. Paul writes, “Forgetting those things which are behind…[reach] forward to those things which are ahead” (Php 3:13 NKJV). (2) We worry what people will say. “Fear of human opinion disables” (Pr 29:25 MSG). How you respond to criticism is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There will always be people who won’t like or understand you. Get over it! (3) We listen to the wrong voices. Satan is the father of lies, and he will do everything he can to discourage you. Paul says, “Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2Co 10:5 NIV). When a thought comes, examine it. If it’s from God, receive it; if it’s from Satan, “demolish” it. (4) We lose focus. As believers, we’re to walk by faith, not by sight (See 2Co 5:7). That means making every decision based on what God says and not what you see with your natural eyes. (5) We lose touch with other believers. When the apostles got out of jail, they went back to “their own company” (Ac 4:23). To stay strong, you need fellowship with other Christians. Too many people quit on the verge of success; don’t be one of them. There is only one degree of difference between hot water and steam—so keep going, and don’t even think of quitting!
Getting beyond the guesswork (2)
“The Spirit…will guide you…He will tell you things.” Jn 16:13 NKJV
Always do these two things: (1) Recognize God’s Word as the final authority for deciding God’s will (See Isa 8:20). The Bible speaks clearly on life’s important issues. Every other source of guidance must agree with it. And you don’t need a theological degree; just let God speak to you through His Word before seeking anybody else’s opinion. For example, to tell a lie is unacceptable because God insists, “You shall not…lie” (Lev 19:11 NKJV). Likewise, having an extramarital affair is wrong because the Bible clearly says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14 NKJV). End of discussion. No other opinion is needed when God’s Word is clear. But a word of caution: The Bible is a book of principles, not a multiple-choice do-it-yourself manual. Picking isolated Scriptures leads to confusion, not clarity. For instance, “all things are yours” (1Co 3:21 NKJV) isn’t permission to choose whatever you want! Principles are established as Scripture is supported by Scripture. But what if you search the Bible without finding principles that settle your issue? Consider the following step. (2) Recognize the inner impressions of the Holy Spirit. How can you know your impressions are from the Holy Spirit? By knowing you have fully submitted your will in the matter to God. Your “impressions” must not contradict other biblical principles. Here is the Holy Spirit’s assignment: “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…he will shew you things to come” (Jn 16:13). Don’t be in a hurry. If it’s from God’s Spirit, it will become stronger and clearer with time and prayer. If not, it will dissipate. So wait prayerfully!
Start fresh every day!
“A quick-tempered person does foolish things.” Pr 14:17 NIV
You overslept, the car wouldn’t start, you were late for work, your computer crashed! These things can make you angry, but only if you let them. Solomon said, “A quick-tempered person does foolish things,” so if you fly into a rage, expect a rough landing! The Bible says, “Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city” (Pr 16:32 NCV). Anger always comes back to bite you and ends up doing more damage than the thing that triggered it. David said, “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar” (See Ps 5:3). Start by offering your day to God, then you will be less likely to react in anger when things go wrong. One pastor writes: “Our time here is short. What a shame to let something that happened—twenty years or twenty minutes ago—ruin your day. I’ve made up my mind to enjoy every single one. I may make mistakes; things may not go my way. I may be disappointed, but I’m going to live my life happy. I’m not going to let what does or doesn’t happen steal my joy. Every morning I say, ‘Father, this is going to be a great day. I thank you that I have discipline, self-control; that I make good decisions. I may not have done what I could have yesterday, but that day is gone. I’m going to do better today.’” Ever wonder why a car’s windshield is big and its rearview mirror small? Because what’s behind isn’t nearly as important as what’s ahead. So keep looking ahead, and no matter what happens today, don’t lose your peace.
What do you “see”? (1)
“Look up…and count the stars…That’s how many descendants you will have!” Ge 15:5 NLT
Vision is the God-given ability to see the invisible. Without it, “people…stumble all over themselves” (Pr 29:18 MSG). When God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations, he and Sarah were old and childless. Naturally speaking, it looked impossible. So God “took Abram outside and said…‘Look up…and count the stars…That’s how many descendants you will have!’” It wasn’t enough to hear what God said: Abraham needed to see it in his mind’s eye. And although the promise wasn’t fulfilled for twenty years, every night when Abraham looked up at the heavens, the stars were a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness. Woodrow Wilson said, “No man that does not see visions will ever realize any high hope or undertake any high enterprise.” To give birth to something, you must first conceive it by seeing it through the eyes of faith and burning the image on the canvas of your mind. Jesus said, “If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Mt 6:22-23 NAS). Legend has it, when Michelangelo looked at a chunk of marble the owner told him was worthless, Michelangelo said, “It’s priceless to me. There is an angel locked inside, and I must set it free.” What you “see” will change the direction of your life. Like a thermostat, it dictates how high you rise or how low you fall. And the good news is, no matter how dark things look on the outside, today God can give you a fresh vision and a new future.
Navigating life’s losses (4)
“A time to gain, and a time to lose.” Ecc 3:6 NKJV
What else do our children need from us when they’re grieving? (1) Our honesty. They need to know we’re hurting too. When they see you crying, but you tell them, “I’m all right,” they’re confused. They think either you’re not hurting, and tears don’t mean anything, or you’re not being real with them. They need to know the genuine you, so they can be real with you and trust you with their hurts. (2) Our awareness of their feelings without overprotecting them. For them, as for you, “There is a time to weep…mourn…lose” (vv. 4, 6 NKJV). God has made all these experiences “appropriate in its time” (v.11 NAS). Don’t inhibit or invalidate their sadness, anger, and depression. It’s part of their God-given humanness, and will help them become balanced, compassionate adults. (3) Sensitive listening. Kids learn and grow through loss when they have an open and understanding listener. Listen, then reflect their feelings. “Sounds like you’re angry. Want to talk about it?” Don’t analyze, ask! Listen with your eyes and ears. “Your words say you’re all right, but your eyes suggest you’re sad.” (4) Permission to express negative emotions. Anger and resentment aimed at doctors, the system, family members, you, even God is normal! Don’t say, “You shouldn’t say such things.” Instead say, “Sounds like a real, honest expression of pain and disappointment. Want to talk more about it?” Expression detoxifies negative emotion. (5) Inclusion in our grief rituals. Include them in family gatherings, funeral planning, and services, and they will find comfort in the validation, closure, and healing these times bring!
Navigating life’s losses (2)
“A time to be born, and a time to die.” Ecc 3:2
Researchers at the Colorado Institute of Grief offer us this helpful four-stage path to recovery. Stage one – Shock. Our initial response is one of denial and disbelief. “I can’t believe this is happening…it’s not real!” There is a numbing of our senses, a God-designed natural “anesthesia” that buffers the early blow and allows us time to gather our coping mechanisms. Stage two – Protest. We feel anger and resentment against God, yet we feel guilty for blaming Him. We may blame ourselves, the doctors, the patient, and question God’s love and faithfulness—even bargaining with Him. “If You will just do a miracle and bring them back, I will…” Stage three – Disorganization. Everything comes apart at the seams. The lifestyle we knew and loved unravels. The dreams we cherished evaporate. We feel hopeless, powerless, lost in a strange, empty universe. Secondary losses may loom: financial insecurity, social dislocation, depression, loss of concentration, etc. We’re convinced that life will never be normal again. We survive moment to moment, afraid to anticipate the road ahead. Stage four – Reorganization. Unrelenting grief gives way to waves of sadness varying in frequency and intensity. We begin to accept and accommodate our loss. The energy we expended on grief work becomes available again, enabling us to adjust to the demands and opportunities of our new lifestyle. Slowly we reemerge and take hold of the reins again. The process will take many months, and full recovery even years. But God promises it will come! There will be “a time to heal…build up…laugh…dance…gain!” (Ecc 3:3-4, 6 NKJV).