Happy Independence Day

[Judy Harder]

Earning Your Way

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

How many things can you think of in this world, that are "Free of Charge" . . . no strings attached? Not many! Perhaps that's why there are so many people trying to work their way into the King¬dom of God.

At a "Celebrity Roast" in Beverly Hills, California, long time come¬dian and actor Bob Hope was put on the "Hot Seat". Among the nearly 1,000 people in attendance, were many of Hope's long time friends and fellow entertainers from Hollywood's early days.

Bob Hope's wife, Delores, while reflecting upon the recent passing of two Hollywood legends, Gene Kelly and George Burns, said, "God must want us around for something. So many other wonder¬ful people have gone and we are here. I guess maybe we haven't earned heaven yet." How many mistakenly believe that they can earn their way into heaven?

Accept the "Free Gift" of Salvation by asking Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you and your sins. If you've already taken that step, I challenge you to serve the Lord out of love and appre¬ciation for the gift that he has given you.

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer." - John Wooden (1910-    )

[Judy Harder]

You're a Child of God

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. - Matthew 7:8

Have you ever been in the uncomfortable position of having to defend your rights or your personal property?

A 47 year-old woman conceived by artificial insemination after the death of her father was awarded Social Security "survivor's" benefits. This ended a seven year battle between the woman's mother and the Social Security Administration over the woman's rights as a child of the deceased. The Social Security Administration never conceded that she was legally entitled to the benefits, but rather stated that they did not want to spend the time and money necessary to fight the issue in a court of law.

When you ask Jesus into your heart, you are re-born into the family of God. From that point forward, there is no question that you are His child. You don't have to prove that He is your Father or that you are entitled to receive support from him.

As a child of God, you are given a promise, that all of your needs will be met. No one can deny you that benefit.

Live life with the assurance that you are a child of the King. God is your Father and you will never have to fight for your inheritance.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

[Judy Harder]

The Danger of Rationalizing

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. - Proverbs 10:7

Beware when you find yourself rationalizing your actions. Ultimately, you will be trapped by your own deceit and unable to receive any direction from the Lord.

Most of us, at one time or another, have found ourselves rationalizing something we're not quite comfortable with. It's not so much the act of rationalizing, as it is the refusal to receive correction in this area that will get you in trouble.

In Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, a man by the name of Mark Spotz was put on trial for the murder of his brother. Spotz adamantly denied killing his brother, saying, 'He didn't die until he got to the hospital. In my mind, killing someone is taking a life willfully. I didn't do that. I shot my brother and he died. I didn't kill him."

Do you see how clouded your mind can become when you give in to what you know is wrong, and then allow yourself to justify it?

Rationalization is a ticking "time bomb". If you rationalize inappropriate actions, at some point you may find yourself as deluded as this poor fellow in Texas.

"O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!" - Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

[Judy Harder]

Excusing Sin

For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. - Proverbs 5:21-22

Have you ever been foolish enough to attempt to blame your wrong doing on the Lord?

Earlier this year, Honduran Congressman, Julio Villatoro was charged with bigamy. When asked about the charges filed against him by his wife, the congressman replied, "I have problems with my wife, even though she knows a handsome man is not for one woman but for several. God gave me a physique attractive to women, and I take advantage of it."

Do you ever find yourself making excuses for your sin? Excuses rarely fool anyone except the person making them. They never fool the Lord. When you pardon your own wrong doing, you have set yourself on the path to self destruction.

Don't make excuses for the sin in your life. Instead make a habit of catching yourself in the act, and go to the Lord immediately for His forgiveness and His loving correction.

"If you don't do your part, don't blame God." - Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

[Judy Harder]

The "R" Word . . . Repentence

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. - Proverbs 28:13

What does the word "repentance" mean to you? Some mistakenly believe that "repentance" is just another word for "Really SORRY!" That definition is incomplete at best, and there are some people who just have to find out the hard way.

Consider the case of a Texas man, convicted of armed bank robbery. Incredible as it may seem, this man was able to cut a deal with the state prosecutor. Instead of doing any prison time, he was allowed to pay a hefty fine as complete recompense for the wrong he had done. Grateful and relieved, the convicted felon made his way down the hall of the Court Clerk's office where he paid his $10,000 fine. He presented the clerk with a check for the full amount, and regained his freedom.

This story could have had a wonderful ending except for one thing; the man had not repented! Shortly after his release, this man found himself standing before the same court, charged with yet another felony. The check he had presented to pay his fine had been forged. This time he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Search your heart and see if there are sins in your life, for which you have not truly repented. Repenting means to do a 180 and walk in the opposite direction. If you find that there are sins in your life, ask the Lord for forgiveness and then turn away from that sin and RUN in the opposite direction.

"Some often repent, yet never reform; they resemble a man traveling in a dangerous path, who frequently starts and stops, but never turns back." - Bonnell Thornton (1725-1768)

[Judy Harder]

Transparency

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. - Lamentations 3:40

I took a course in seminary and the professor told us that we could ask him anything we wanted, that his life was an open book. He would answer any question about anything. I didn't believe him, but as the semester went on, I witnessed transparency in this man unlike anything I'd ever witnessed before.

My upbringing was such that "transparency" wasn't even in our dictionary. My parents never came out and said it, but what was modeled was that it was o.k. to fudge on the truth if it meant letting others know that everything was o.k. in the Arterburn household.

It can be difficult to be real and open and honest, but if I want to continue growing and learning and being open to the awesome things God is doing, I have to at all costs keep myself accountable and let others know exactly where I am, what I'm feeling, what I'm concerned about; in short, just where I am emotionally. When I don't do that, that's where the journey into isolation begins for me, and I head off into an unhealthy emotional state. 

I want to be honest and exhibit integrity at all times. I want to be someone that others can trust and turn to knowing there will be no judgment. And I want others to come to me in the same way. 

What keeps us from this transparency in life? I know one thing that hinders transparency is pride. Satan has used this since Adam and Eve to put a wedge between man and God. That's why we have to put on the whole armor of God. Our battles are spiritual. Don't let pride get in the way of God's call for you to live a transparent life.

"Eyes so transparent that through them the soul is seen." - Theophile Gautier (1811-1872)

[Judy Harder]

Troubled Comparisons

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:4

Why is it that we don't accept who we are? I don't know about you, but I look at others around me (friends, people in the news, in movies, athletes, co-workers) and compare how I look . . . my clothes, my physical features, my sense of humor, my speaking ability, my communication skills, my car, my cell phone, my glasses, the color, length and fullness of my hair, and my experiences.

If you're like me, you always come up short and feel intimidated. You never measure up so you clam up. You don't offer to use your gifts and talents because you're feeling inferior. So your gifts and talents die inside you. You stop living, stop loving, and stop feeling. Some of you may have turned to things to numb the pain and shut down the lying, hounding voices of your past hurts, mistakes, disappointments, and your failure to measure up to others.

But it's all a lie. God created you just as you are. Satan wants to shut you down. He doesn't want the uniqueness of you to shine forth.  When you stifle who you are, you're giving Satan a victory. When you allow your personality, your experience, your gifts and skills to shine forth, you're giving God a chance to use you just as he made you. It's only then that you'll grow more and more into who he created you to be.

Accept who you are in Christ. He accepts you. Why don't you accept you? There's no reason good enough. Work through your insecurities and let God use you, starting today, just as you are.

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

[Judy Harder]

Blind Spots

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. - Proverbs 27:9

Samuel was one of the great men of faith and one of the great lead¬ers in Israel's history. He served as priest, prophet, and Israel's last judge. Look at what the Bible says about him. "As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful. All the people of Israel from one end of the land to the other knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord." (1 Samuel 3:19-20)

But Samuel was human, and he had blind spots. Samuel appointed his sons as judges in his place. The problem was that his sons were not the men of character that he was. Scripture tells us they "were greedy for money, accepted bribes and perverted justice." The peo¬ple tried to tell Samuel, but for whatever reason he had a blind spot when it came to his family. 

We often develop blind spots with regard to someone we love and want to protect. If Samuel had heard the people's complaints with openness, he may have seen the truth before it was too late. Then he could have corrected the problem and held his sons accountable for their actions. If others around you are telling you things you don't want to hear, maybe you should stop and evaluate carefully what's being said. 

Do you need to be honest about someone in your life: a friend, child, a family member? Take your blinders off.

"The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly. - Jim Rohn

[Judy Harder]

Samson

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

As a child, Samson was dedicated to God, and God gifted him with supernatural strength. But Samson had a lifetime weakness . . . his desire for women. If you know the story, then you know that Samson was blinded to the dangers he faced in his relationship with Delilah. His enemies paid Delilah to discover the secret of his strength. Three times she begged him to let her in on his secret, and each time she tried to use this information to hand him over to his enemies. All three times, Samson lied to her and was able to escape, but each time he got closer to telling her the truth. In the end, Samson revealed his secret, was taken captive, and died a slave in the hands of his enemies.

Samson's real problem can be found in his wayward passions, which his enemies took advantage of. His disobedience to God caused him to gradually inch his way toward destruction and a violent death. 

What do we learn from the story of Samson? Though our choices may not lead to a violent death, they can lead to the destruction of our families, jobs, or reputation. You can protect yourself by developing relationships with those who love you and are devoted to God's truth. It will help you choose obedience when you might have been tempted to choose otherwise. Unlike Delilah, safe, trust¬worthy friends will prove to be a source of strength, encourage¬ment and wisdom.

"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001)

[Judy Harder]

Nehemiah

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. - Romans 14:12

Nehemiah, the great rebuilder of Jerusalem, is a great example in the Bible of leadership, faith, and unshakable commitment. He didn't let the huge task of the long-delayed restoration of Jerusalem discourage him. He realized that it was never too late for God's people to begin the process. He took direct and forceful action. His faith, wisdom, and courage kept him focused on his goal. He was determined to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He faced foreign opposition and discord amongst his own people, but the wall was completed in just fifty-two days. An incredible feat!

Soon after this victory, Nehemiah directed the people toward a sec¬ond phase of restoration. He called upon the great teacher Ezra to lead the people in a study of the Scriptures. Confronted by God's word, they were soon in tears because they could see the truth of how far they'd strayed from God's law. They confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They accepted responsibility for generations of unfaithfulness on the part of their people and grieved openly before God. 

When Nehemiah returned to Babylon, however, the people re¬turned to their sinful ways. Nehemiah found himself once again putting the Jews back on a right path. This example of short-term restoration shows how prone we are to drifting away from what's right if we're not held accountable. The encouragement: it wasn't too late to rebuild the wall, and it's not too late to rebuild your life. Begin by doing the next right thing!

"Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They're just braver five minutes longer." - Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)