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The virtue of humility (2)
“Humility brings honor.” Pr 29:23 NLT
The story’s told of a young pastor who was widely known to be a gifted preacher. But as his congregation swelled—so did his head! One Sunday after he’d delivered his latest masterpiece, a church member shook his hand and said, “You are, without a doubt, one of the greatest preachers of our generation.” It was all the young minister could do to squeeze his head into the car as he slid behind the steering wheel. And as he and his wife drove home he told her what his parishioner had said. She didn’t respond, so after fishing for affirmation he said, “I wonder just how many ‘great preachers’ there are in this generation?” She replied, “One fewer than you think, dear!” Try to imagine Jesus kneeling with a towel and a basin to wash the dirt from your feet. In those days of unpaved streets, it was a common courtesy. When you visited someone’s home they’d wash your feet as a way of saying, “I welcome and honor you.” When Jesus’ disciples protested, He said to them, “I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you…That is the path of blessing” (Jn 13:15,17 TLB). Someone once asked Leonard Bernstein, the brilliant New York Philharmonic conductor, what the most difficult position in the orchestra was. He replied, “Second fiddle.” Everybody wants to sit in the first chair. But in God’s kingdom we’re called to consider others first and ourselves second. When we do, God promises to honor us.
The virtue of humility (1)
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Pr 22:4 NIV
When Benjamin Franklin was twenty-two he was living in Philadelphia after escaping an oppressive apprenticeship. He was, as they say, “trying to find himself.” One question burned in his heart: “What are the greatest priorities of my life?” In answer, he developed twelve “virtues”—values that would govern his life. They were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, and chastity. Franklin took his list of virtues to an old Quaker friend and asked his opinion. His friend read them and said, “Benjamin, you’ve forgotten the most important one.” Surprised, Franklin asked which one. The old man replied, “Humility.” Franklin immediately added it to his list. He organized his life into repeating thirteen-week cycles, focusing on one of those virtues each week. At seventy-eight years of age, he began reflecting on his life and the qualities he’d built it around. Though he felt pretty good about having achieved most of them, here’s what he said about humility: “I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue; but I have had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.” The Bible says, “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Humility is an interesting virtue; you’re supposed to show it—but not know it! Jonathan Edwards said, “Nothing sets a person so much out of the Devil’s reach as humility.” If there’s one thing in this world your ego will neither seek nor strive for, it’s humility. Yet true and lasting success depends on it.
Be prepared
“They prepare…in the summer.” Pr 30:25 NKJV
Ants are small, but smart; they “store up food all summer” (v. 25 NLT). Do you remember the story about the ant and the grasshopper? In summertime the ant is busy working, gathering food while the grasshopper plays. Then when winter sets in the ant retires to his home and enjoys life. He paid the price, now he can enjoy the reward. But now it’s time for the grasshopper that played on the front end to pay on the back end. As a result he starves in the cold because he didn’t understand that the only adequate preparation for tomorrow is the wise use of today. Think about it: When you were in school, did you ever prepare so well for an exam that you walked into the classroom with absolute confidence, knowing you’d ace it? Well, you can bring that same confidence to everyday life. Sadly, many of us don’t lead our lives, we accept them! But life’s not a dress rehearsal. You don’t get a second chance. Benjamin Disraeli said, “The secret of success in life is to be ready when the time comes.” Question: If God gave you everything you’re praying for right now, would you be ready to handle it? Nothing great is created suddenly. Success doesn’t occur overnight and neither does failure—each is a process. The fact is, every day of your life is preparation for the next. So the question is what are you preparing for, and how are you preparing? Are you grooming yourself for success or failure? Only if you’re willing to work hard on the front end, will you reap the rewards on the back end.
When God sends someone to help you
“May the Kind One correct me.” Ps 141:5 TM
The greatest indictment against not knowing is not learning. If you look at it the right way every experience in life is a school, and every new acquaintance is a teacher. So seize every opportunity to learn. Just make sure you pick the right teachers: those who’ve earned the right to come alongside, and when appropriate ask the hard questions, bring perspective, and keep you on track. Solomon said, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring” (Pr 25:11-12 NLT). When God sends someone to help you: (1) Show your appreciation. Never take others for granted and never forget to say thank you. An attitude of “I don’t expect appreciation so I don’t give it” will hurt you and close doors to your future. (2) Pull your weight. Don’t be self-serving and opportunistic. Look for ways to make your presence an asset, not a liability. Life owes you nothing except an opportunity to grow. (3) Understand the boundaries. Other people may know someone well enough to address them by their first name, but that doesn’t mean you should—especially not a potential mentor. If someone says, “Hello, my name is Charles,” don’t come back with, “What’s up, Charlie!” Show respect, and don’t try to change the protocol to suit the environment you’re used to. Observe boundaries, respect others, listen, and you’ll always have people willing to help you get where you need to go.
Try to see people as God sees them
“You are a letter from Christ.” 2 Co 3:3 NIV
When you consider some of the people Jesus called to be His disciples, the word “dysfunctional” comes to mind. But Jesus wasn’t put off. Like finding treasure in the trash, He was able to see their potential, draw it out and develop it. And that’s your story too, isn’t it? Paul writes, “You are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.” Other people don’t write your story. Even you don’t. “The Spirit of the living God” is writing it. That means your best days are still ahead! An old Bible lay on a bargain table along with hundreds of tattered books. A lot of people had picked it up and thumbed through its pages. It wasn’t in very good shape—certainly not worth two pounds—so it was cast aside. Then a man picked it up, stifled a shout, and rushing to the counter he paid the paltry asking price. Turns out it was an original Gutenberg estimated to be worth more than one million pounds! How many times did that old book change hands before it was redeemed? How many times did the world cast it aside, unaware of its value? The truth is, we were all passed over until Jesus saw value in us. But rather than paying bargain price, He paid the highest price possible. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:8 NIV). So when you’re having a bad day, look in the mirror and remind yourself, “God loves me Calvary-worth!” Then go out and try to see others as treasures God couldn’t live without; sinners Christ died to redeem.
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Express your love
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mt 22:39 NLT
When it comes to loving others: (1) You need to say it. An old fisherman who’d been married for fifty years to his patient, long-suffering wife, rarely took time to express his affection. Finally in frustration one day she said to him, “How come you never tell me you love me?” Without batting an eyelid he announced, “I told you I loved you when I married you, and if I ever change my mind I’ll let you know!” That’s a cute story, but not so cute if it’s a reality. Your husband or wife may know you love them, but they still need to hear you say it. And so do your children, your friends, and the people in your circle of influence. The fact is you can never say “I love you” too much! (2) You need to show it. Everybody needs “a pat on the back.” Dr. Dolores Krieger, a professor of nursing at New York University who conducted numerous studies on the power of human touch, discovered that both the “toucher” and the “touchee” experience great physiological benefit from human contact. It works like this: Red blood cells carry hemoglobin, a substance that transports oxygen to body tissue. And Dr. Krieger found that when one person lays hands on another, the hemoglobin levels in the blood stream of both people increase. And as they rise, body tissue receives increased oxygen, which invigorates you physically and can aid in the healing process. What you’re seeing is the literal power of love in action. Loving is good for you! There’s nothing as rewarding, satisfying, or encouraging as loving others through your words and actions.
The power of one (2)
“I set before you today life and prosperity.” Dt 30:15 NIV
God told His people: “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you” (vv. 15-16 NIV). One person with the love of God in their heart can start a chain reaction. John Wilkes Booth shocked the world by assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. At the time, Booth’s brother Edwin was considered one of the greatest actors in America. Believing the family name had been shamed forever, he retired from acting and went into seclusion. But his legacy turned out not to be one of death and disappointment, but of life and influence. A few years before Lincoln’s assassination, Edwin was at a train station in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was standing nearby when a young man lost his footing on the platform and almost fell into the path of a moving train. Without hesitation, Edwin rescued the young man by reaching down and pulling him up by his collar. There was a brief exchange of gratitude, but Edwin never dreamed how significant that moment would become. Some years later he received a letter from then President Ulysses Grant thanking him for his heroic deed. Why? Because the young man he had saved was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln. Edwin Booth took that letter to his grave; a reminder that we may not be able to change our past but we can certainly change our future. And by God’s grace you can change yours too!
God says ‘Yes’
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” 2Co 1:20 NIV
You will notice that in the Old Testament God’s promises came with conditions that had to be met. In other words, you had to do something. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land” (Isa 1:19 NIV). To receive God’s promise there was a price to be paid, conditions to be met, and a performance of certain things on your part. But all that changed at the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the Greek text could literally be translated “paid in full.” Hence Paul writes, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” Are you a redeemed child of God? Are you “in Christ”? Then God says, “Yes, I’ll meet your needs, I’ll do for you what I have promised.” Just as a bank will tell you, “You’re pre-qualified for the credit card,” as a believer you’re pre-qualified for the promises God has made to you in His Word. Under the Old Testament law God said, “If.” But to those who are in Christ and living under grace, He says, “Yes.” And what should your response be? “Amen,” which means “So be it.” This is a life-changing truth! Now you understand why Paul could confidently write, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Php 4:19 NKJV). Not only is God able to meet “all” your needs, He’s looking for opportunities to do it.
Words (2)
“My mouth will speak words of wisdom.” Ps 49:3 NIV
The Bible says that you are to be gracious in what you say. That means your goal in conversation should always be to bring out the best in others, not denigrate them or cut them off. Good communication makes good friends, so you need to be clear when it comes to your personal boundaries, beliefs, values, and desires. It may well be true that more problems are forgotten than are ever solved, but healthy relationships sometimes call for healthy confrontation. And there’s a right time and a right way to do it. When you have to deal with a difficult situation, pray and stand on this Scripture: “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.” Your words are the vehicle through which your thoughts are conveyed, and your tongue is the driver. So if you don’t want to end up on the wrong road, or end up in a wreck, pray: “Lord, give me words of wisdom. Help me to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.” The Holy Spirit is a great driving instructor! He will guide you, instruct you, and keep working with you until you get it right. He will help you grow in grace until you reach the place of maturity in your relationships where you’re able to say, “My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge” (Pr 8:8-9 NLT). When you can say that, you know you’re making progress!
Move closer to God and stay there!
“You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else.” 1Co 10:12 TM
Writing about mistakes some of God’s people made in the past, the apostle Paul penned these words: “These are all warning markers—DANGER!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naïve and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it” (vv. 11-13 TM). Here Paul addresses two kinds of people who are particularly at risk: (1) Those who think they’re incapable of falling. “You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” (2) Those who believe they’ll never be able to get back up again. “God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” Isn’t that great news? God not only understands your struggle, He promises you an exit strategy: a way to get through it. So the word for you today is: Move closer to God and stay there!
Heaven (2)
“Set your sights on the realities of heaven.” Col 3:1 NLT
Five hundred years ago sailors feared the horizon, believing if you sailed too far you could fall off the edge of the world. Today we smile at such an idea. But back then they were deadly serious; so much so that they erected a monument at the Strait of Gibraltar to commemorate the concept. At its narrowest point Spaniards assembled a huge stone marker bearing the Latin inscription Ne plus ultra, which means “No more beyond.” Then in 1492 Christopher Columbus came along and blew their theory out of the water (no pun intended!). The discovery of new worlds and new horizons changed everybody’s mind. Spain even acknowledged this in its coins which came to bear the inscription Plus ultra—“More beyond.” Have you limited yourself in your thinking? Do you regret wasting seasons of life on foolish notions and pursuits? Do you feel like your best years are gone by? Not so! You’ll have eternity to make up for lost time in a glorified celestial body that knows no limitations. Your biggest moments lie ahead, on the other side of the grave. So: “Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven” (vv. 1-2 NLT). John the Revelator was a prisoner, surrounded by the sea on the tiny island of Patmos. Everywhere he went, the sea was there. It confined him. It hemmed him in and separated him from those he loved. Then God showed him the glories of heaven and he wrote, “There was no more sea” (Rev 21:1). No more limitations—in heaven you’ll be “free at last.”
From the bottom to the top
“In the prison, the Lord was with him.” Ge 39:20-21 NIV
When Potiphar’s wife cried rape, her husband believed her and had Joseph thrown into prison. Some of us would have said, “It’s not fair. I did the right thing. Maybe I should have had some fun, kept my job, and even gotten a promotion.” Not Joseph! At that point in his life there was no better place for him to be, because he was exactly where God wanted him. It was in prison that he met the royal butler, who in turn introduced him to Pharaoh, who eventually placed him on the throne. Sometimes God takes us to the bottom in order to take us to the top. The hard part is remembering that when you hit the bottom it’s not the end of the trip. The Bible says of Joseph: “Until his word…came true…the word of the Lord tried…him” (Ps 105:19 AMP). Pharaoh was about to have a dream nobody in his kingdom could interpret except Joseph. And as a result Joseph was about to go from a zero to a hero, from prison stripes to Pharaoh’s second in command. No one can perform that kind of miracle but God. If most of us were in jail we’d settle for early release, a suit of clothes, and a hundred dollars to get back home. But God had something much better in mind for Joseph. And He has for you too! He knows where He’s taking you. He knows the lessons you need to learn along the way so that when you get there you can do the job. So look for God’s hand in your situation today.
Let Christ Be Manifested In You
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
The greatest thing that could ever happen to you isn’t only to have and know Jesus Christ, but to also have Him manifested in your life. If you’re sick in your body today, what you need is the manifestation of Christ in that part of your body. The Bible says, "… For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). When He’s manifested in your life, everything that’s not of God will give way.
When Christ is manifested in the life of a sinner, the power of sin is broken, and righteousness takes effect. When He’s manifested in the life of one that’s bound, the chains are broken, and deliverance takes place. Christ is the answer. Christ is all you need. Christ is everything. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Let Him be manifested in you—spirit, soul, and body. Subject your will and emotions to Him, to His Word, and you’ll think the thoughts of God, have the emotions of God, and do the will of God.
Then, you can have Him manifested in your physical body. You know, someone can be born again and be blind, lame, sick and afflicted in the body. But if you let Christ manifest Himself in your body, not only will healing result, He’ll vitalize your body and keep it immune to sickness, disease and infirmities. He’ll keep you in divine health.
In John 14:21, the Lord Jesus said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." That’s what you need; let Him manifest Himself to you. You don’t need the healing; no, you need the one who heals; the healer Himself.
So, give Him your whole spirit, soul and body and your whole life will be full of glory. Hallelujah!
THE 12 WELLS AND 70 PALM TREES
Exodus 15:27
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.
Would you like to know an important biblical key to divine health? It is found in today’s verse, which comes right after God says, “I am the Lord who heals you.” He said this to His people after He brought them out of Egypt. (Exodus 15:26)
The wells of water and palm trees speak of refreshment. They paint a picture of an oasis in the desert. The Israelites rested and were refreshed there. But why the numbers 12 and 70?
There are no insignificant details in the Bible. The 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees represent anointed ministries that refresh you with God’s Word. So if you want to know Jesus as the Lord who heals you, sit under anointed preaching of God’s Word because when His Word goes forth, it will heal you. His Word is medicine to all your flesh! (Proverbs 4:22)
How did I make that connection? Let the Bible interpret the Bible. Matthew 10:1 says that when Jesus had “called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” He sent out the 12 and said to them, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons...” (Matthew 10:7–8)
Then, in Luke 10:1, the Lord “appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go”. He also said to the 70, “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Luke 10:9)
In other words, Jesus anointed the 12 and then the 70 disciples to preach God’s Word and heal the sick. Today, if you want refreshment, if you want health and healing, don’t sit under ministries that tell you that God doesn’t always want to heal and that He sometimes gives you diseases to teach you lessons. Instead, sit under anointed ministries that preach the good news and practice healing the sick. My friend, that is how you can begin to walk in divine health!
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The double standard
“The road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker.” Pr 4:19 TM
The Bible says: “The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces” (vv. 18-19 TM). In 1966 Dr. Joseph Fletcher published a book which became a best seller. It was called Situation Ethics. In it he said love was the only standard for determining right from wrong. The result was ethical chaos. Why? Because it allowed us to set our own standards, which changed from situation to situation. And to make matters worse, it’s our natural inclination to go easy on ourselves, judging ourselves according to our intentions, while holding others to a higher standard and judging them based on their actions. For example, someone who cheats on his taxes or steals office supplies still expects honesty from the company whose stock he buys and the business clients he deals with. That’s what’s known as the double standard. It’s easy to get disgusted with people who fail the ethics test—especially when they’ve wronged us. But it’s a lot harder to make ethical choices in our own lives. Understand this: When you operate on the edge of honesty, you invariably go over that edge! It may be possible to fool people for a season, but your deeds always catch up with you. Just as someone may appear to profit temporarily from dishonesty, being truthful may sometimes look like a losing proposition. But both your pleasure and profit will be short-lived, because ultimately we’ll all stand in judgment before God—and how will you look then?
God knows “the text” of your life
“God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.” 2Sa 22:25 TM
You can be successful yet still feel empty inside. Solomon’s life proves that. He was the world’s wealthiest man, as well as one of the most famous. Yet amazingly he begins the book of Ecclesiastes with these words: “Everything is meaningless” (Ecc 1:2 NLT). Solomon discovered that a fulfilling life can only be built on two things: relationships and purpose. And the first and foremost relationship you must establish is with God. Once that happens you discover your life’s purpose. And as you start walking in it your joy and fulfillment knows no bounds. Self-help gurus tell us, “Look inside yourself and you’ll find the key!” But how can you uncover the plot for your life by simply examining your life? You’ll have more luck following “the yellow brick road”! No, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Eph 1:11-12 TM). Your life’s purpose has already been determined by the greatest mind and the kindest heart in the universe: the mind and heart of God. You say, “But things aren’t working out too well for me right now.” We all have times like that. But here’s a promise you can stand on: “He makes everything work out according to his plan” (v. 11 NLT). God knows “the text” of your life. Pray and He will reveal it to you.
Don’t doubt God’s Word
“Faith comes from hearing.” Ro 10:17 NIV
You may doubt your own ability, but never doubt God’s—or His promises and His willingness to fulfill them. The Psalmist wrote, “You have magnified Your word above…Your name” (Ps 138:2 NKJV). The only thing in the universe that God has placed above His name is His Word. So fill your mind with it, speak it daily, and don’t ever question it. Doubt often originates from our inclination to portray ourselves as self-confident. Self-confidence is a concept touted by the world; it encourages us to rely on our own skills and abilities. But the Bible says, “He who trusts in himself is a fool” (Pr 28:26 NIV). Reportedly, the verse at the center of the Bible is: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Ps 118:8 NKJV). So center your confidence around God, not yourself or anybody else. Do you doubt yourself and your own worth? Do you question your ability to pursue your career? Do you doubt your aptitude to form healthy relationships? Despite having lived with Jesus for almost three years and hearing His promise that He’d rise again from the dead, Thomas still said, “Unless I can see his wounds and touch him, I will not believe” (See Jn 20:25). Did Jesus turn His back on Thomas because of his doubts? No, He never rejects a sincere, doubting heart! Jesus showed up in person and resolved all of Thomas’ doubts. And as you read His word and seek His face, He will alleviate your misgivings and qualms too. When you stop living in the “sense” realm and learn to “walk by faith,” your doubts will begin to die (See 2Co 5:7).
Encourage your pastor
“He…encouraged them for the service of the house of the Lord.” 2Ch 35:2 NKJV
The Bible says King Josiah “set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the Lord.” Josiah did two things: He instructed them, and he encouraged them. Why? Because one without the other doesn’t work! How often have you left church feeling lifted, encouraged and inspired by the sermon? Question: Have you ever thought of telling your pastor how much it meant to you, or sending them an email to let them know you appreciate their ministry? Pastors get more kicks than kisses. Some 37 percent quit the ministry because of discouragement. Did you know that? Even the great apostle Paul got discouraged: “When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared…how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!” (2Co 7:5-7 TM). Titus encouraged Paul in two ways: (1) By showing up. “We were glad just to see him.” Like it or not, when you don’t go to church you’re saying, “Pastor, you’re not worth coming to hear.” (2) By offering encouragement. “True reassurance came in what he told us.” This week, encourage your pastor.
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How to stay together
“Wives…support your husbands…Husbands, go all out in love for your wives.” Col 3:18-19 TM
Picture two little rowing boats setting off across a choppy lake. A man sits in one, and a woman in the other. They have every intention of rowing side by side, yet they begin drifting in opposite directions until they can hardly hear each other above the wind. Soon the man finds himself at one end of the lake and the woman at the other. Neither knows how they drifted apart, or how to reconnect. Now picture two newlyweds. They stand at the altar and pledge to live together in love and harmony. Unfortunately, 50 percent of the time it doesn’t work that way. Unless their relationship is maintained and cultivated, they will grow distant. That is why two romantic little rowboats often drift toward opposite ends of the lake. So how can husbands and wives stay in love, and stay together for a lifetime? The answer is to row like crazy! Take time for romantic activities. Think about each other through the day. Avoid that which breeds conflict and resentment. Be aware of each other’s needs and desires. These are the keys to harmony and friendship. Yes, it’s difficult to keep two rowboats together, but it can be done if each partner is determined to row. Nothing beats a good marriage, but you have to work at it because the currents of culture and the stresses of life can cause you to drift apart. Hence the Bible says, “Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives.”
Start taking time off
“On the seventh day you shall rest.” Ex 34:21 NKJV
One of the best ways to maintain your perspective on what’s truly important is to plan times of rest and recreation. The word recreation means to “re-create”: to recharge your batteries physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Rest and recreation restore your creativity, fuel your vision, and bring balance to your world. The fact is, some of the people we admire most are socially and relationally dysfunctional. For example, if you took the pulpit away from certain preachers and the CEO title away from certain executives, they’d be totally lost. And if you’re honest, you’d conclude that in all likelihood they needed counseling. They’ve only one string on their fiddle—work. Without it they don’t know how to live! The Bible says, “God…rested from all his work” (Ge 2:2 NIV). Now, since God doesn’t sleep and never gets tired, clearly He was setting an example for us to follow. Purpose-driven people can become obsessed with work and believe they don’t have time for fun. Some may even consider fun to be “carnal.” But Jesus said to His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mk 6:31 NIV). God, who thought that taking time off was so important that He put it in the Bible, said, “If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy…if you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’ making money, running here and there—then you’ll be free to enjoy God!” (Isa 58:13-14 TM). So the word for you today is: “Start taking time off.”
The power of one (1)
“Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you?” Jdg 6:14 NIV
Gideon came from a family of idol worshippers, so he didn’t think he had much of a future. But God thought differently. He said to him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” And today Gideon is remembered as one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. That’s what’s known as “the power of one.” Do you doubt that one person can make a difference? Winston Churchill convinced England they could survive the Nazi war machine. Lee Iacocca turned Chrysler around and saved the company. Florence Nightingale transformed the care of patients by emphasizing sanitary design and hygiene in hospitals, practices that carry over to this day. Rosa Parks, a lone black woman, overturned two centuries of racial discrimination. But you don’t have to be a George Washington, an Abraham Lincoln, or a Mother Teresa to make a difference. Your influence may not be as far-reaching as theirs, but “charity begins at home,” which means you can grow and thrive where you’re planted. In A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writes, “Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime; and departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.” Like Gideon, you may not be able to change your family history or undo your past mistakes. But you can learn from them, grow, and create a legacy that outshines your heritage. Not sure where to start? Commit your life to Christ and start following in His footsteps.
Who are your true friends?
“Friends come and…go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.” Pr 18:24 TM
Who are your true friends? Stop and think about that for a moment. How many of the people you consider friends, truly care about you? How many encourage you in your visions and dreams, and are there for you when you hit a wall? If we’re honest, most of us would have to concede that a significant number of so-called friends and associates aren’t there for us in a pinch. In fact, many of the people we spend time with are time-wasters who drain our energy and trivialize our dreams. In the Old Testament David and Jonathan were willing to lay down their lives for each other. And Ruth told Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go” (Ru 1:16 NKJV). Do you have friends like that? If not, spend more time cultivating relationships with those who genuinely care about you; who don’t feel threatened by your success and want to see you succeed. You don’t need to be cold or rude to the others. Maintain their friendship, but spend your serious time with friends who believe in you and want you to achieve your God-given potential. Novelist Elizabeth Jane Howard said, “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Here’s a fail-safe principle when it comes to cultivating great friendships: Whatever you desire in your own life, you must first give to others. If you want true friends, you must become a true friend. If you want a harvest of blessing in your own life, plant seeds of blessing in the lives of others.
Words (1)
“I will…not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue.” Ps 39:1 NLT
An unknown poet wrote: “A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life. A bitter word may hate instil; a brutal word may smite and kill. A gracious word may smooth the way; a joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress; a loving word may heal and bless.” The Bible says, “No man can tame the tongue” (Jas 3:8 NKJV). “Well, if it can’t be done,” you ask, “How am I supposed to do it?” By pausing before you speak, cultivating a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit within you and drawing on His power. By reminding yourself that once a word has left your lips it can never be taken back, and all the “I’m sorrys” in the world won’t alter that. The Psalmist, who’d evidently made the mistake of talking when he should’ve been listening, wrote: “‘I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue.’” In the Bible, abstaining from food for a period of time is called “fasting.” It has a spiritually cleansing effect. It draws us closer to God. It strengthens and sharpens us. So here’s an idea for you: How about going on a verbal fast for the next thirty days? At least a partial one. Isaiah said, “The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary” (Isa 50:4 NLT). Instead of your tongue doing the leading and you doing the following, let your mouth become Spirit-guided.
Heaven (3)
“God…has planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecc 3:11 NLT
Why do thousands of children die of starvation each day, while every night the world’s wealthiest nations throw away enough food to feed them? In 3,500 years of recorded civilization, only 268 years have passed without war raging some place on the globe. Yet during that same period 8,000 peace treaties have been signed. Why is the dash between the dates on a tombstone so small? Something tells us this isn’t right, good, or fair. This isn’t home. Who put these thoughts in our heads? The Bible says, “God…has planted eternity in the human heart.” As a redeemed child of God your life on earth is just the beginning. It’s the first letter, of the first sentence, of the first chapter, of the great story God is writing. We’re like homing pigeons; we have an innate home detector. We’re heaven bound and heaven hungry. That doesn’t mean you can be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly use. If you want to hear the “well done…good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21), you’ve got to be a good and faithful servant of God each day on earth. But your mandate is: “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Mt 6:33 NKJV). In His plan, it’s all about the King and His kingdom. He wrote the script: “And this is [God’s] plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth” (Eph 1:10 NLT). The Bible ends with these words: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20 NIV). How do you get to heaven? By putting your trust in Jesus Christ.
Heaven (1)
“I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Jn 14:2 NIV
In this devotional we stress the importance of maximizing each day: enjoying where you are on your way to where you’re going. And that’s good advice. But ultimately, as a redeemed child of God your greatest longing shouldn’t be for that which is temporal but for that which is eternal—your heavenly home. Jesus described it this way: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Max Lucado writes: “The journey home is nice, but the journey is not the goal. I prepared part of this message on an airplane. As I looked around at fellow passengers, I saw contented people. Thanks to books, pillows, and crossword puzzles, they passed the time quite nicely. But suppose this announcement were heard: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this flight is your final destination. We’ll never land; your home is this plane, so enjoy the journey.’ The passengers would become mutineers. We’d take over the cockpit and seek a landing strip. We wouldn’t settle for such an idea. The journey isn’t the destination. The vessel isn’t the goal. Those who are content with nothing more than the joy of the journey are settling for too little satisfaction. Our hearts tell us that there’s more to this life than this life. We, like E.T., lift bent fingers to the sky. We may not know where to point, but we know not to call the airplane our home.” Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you.” And there’s no place on earth like it! So live with heaven in mind.
Does My Vote Matter?
Over the last 50 years the church has lived through some of the most dynamic culture shifts imaginable. In fact, 50 years ago the evangelical church never would have believed that much of what is considered legal and right today could have been possible.
A handful of judges have literally reshaped the American landscape into a near secularist society. We watched as the following events happened one decision at a time:
Prayer in Schools – Rejected and redactedThe Ten Commandments – Rejected and removed from public placesPresence of a Creator in Science – Rejected and redactedCreationism as a theory in schools – RejectedChristmas Vacation – Winter BreakEaster Vacation – Spring BreakChristian Prayer at Graduation – Rejected and punishableSanctity of Life – RejectedSanctity of Marriage – Redefined
This reshaping of America happened one decision at a time. Decisions matter. Every believer should decide right now to vote in this year’s election. This is a crucial time for us to fast and pray for our nation.
Fruit or just leaves?
“He found nothing but leaves on it.” Mt 21:19 AMP
The Bible says: “As He was coming back to the city, He was hungry. And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once” (vv. 18-19 AMP). Perhaps you’re thinking that’s pretty harsh treatment. After all, it wasn’t the tree’s fault that it didn’t have any figs. So why did Jesus curse it? You’ll find the answer in these words: “Seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves.” When Jesus saw leaves on the tree, He’d a right to expect fruit. And when there was none, He cursed it for being a phony while giving off the impression that it was the real thing. There’s an important lesson here for each of us. Be careful that you don’t display an impressive array of leaves without actually bearing fruit. It takes more than a bumper sticker on your car, a Jesus pin in your lapel, and a big Bible under your arm to influence and win others to Christ. The Bible says, “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 TLB). That’s the kind of fruit people can see, touch, taste, and enjoy. And it’s the kind God wants to see manifested in your life today.
Don’t Just Learn from the Bible. Remember It!
“Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body”(Proverbs 4:20b-22 NLT, second edition).
The Bible says this about wisdom in Proverbs 22:17-18: “Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings, and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them” (TEV). Notice the four verbs in that sentence: listen, study, remember, quote. Those are marks of wisdom.
You can’t just learn something and become wiser; you’ve got to remember it. And you can’t just remember it; you’ve got to reinforce it. Because if you don’t remember and reinforce it, you end up having to learn the same lesson over and over.
You have to retain it to remember it so you can review it so you can apply it.
People say, “I can’t remember anything!” Oh, yes you can. You remember what’s important to you. You remember what you love. You remember what matters to you.
For instance a lot of you say, “I can’t memorize the Bible.” But you remember every baseball or football statistic for the last season. Or you say, “I can’t remember the Bible,” but you can quote all kinds of lyrics to popular songs or every step to a favorite recipe or something else you care about. You remember what’s important to you.
If the truth becomes important to you, you will remember it. You will remember and you will rehearse it and you will reinforce it and you will review it in your life. Then, it can change your life.
“Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body” (Proverbs 4:20b-22 NLT, second edition).