Happy Independence Day

[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)

[Judy Harder]

It's Not About You!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24

The first sentence of Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life is this:  "It's not about you!" Do you believe that? Does your life reflect that? It's a struggle for me, and I bet it's a struggle for you. Consider these situations:

You're in the checkout line and the older gentleman in front of you wants to write a check, but can't find his checkbook. He locates his checkbook, but now he has no pen. Finally pen in hand, he inquires about the date. The clerk noticing his out-of-state check calls for approval. This short "in-and-out" errand adds 6 or 7 additional minutes to your packed schedule. It was probably the most inconvenient experience you've gone through. There ought to be a law! Or in the words of my mother, "It's always something!"

Or what about your restaurant experience with the hamburger and no ketchup because the waitress forgot. She is off talking, ignoring your request, and crying about something. The serving station has ketchup but it is her job. So you sit, tap your fingers on the table, and shoot darts at the lady crying at the back of the restaurant.

Did you think to say a kind word to the gentleman to help settle his nerves, or tell the waitress that you hope things get better. You might even leave a bigger tip or offer to pray for her. It's not about you!  Look outside yourself.  It's what we're called to do. Try it. See if God doesn't affirm you for it.

"Anyone bored these days is not paying attention. May you enjoy the horn of plenty without blowing it." - Bill Copeland (1929-    )

[Judy Harder]

 

Walk With a Limp

When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. - Genesis 32:25

There's a story in the Bible about Jacob wrestling with God, and as a result, God touched Jacob's hip resulting in Jacob walking the rest of his days with a limp.

Have you wrestled with God? What's your limp? Do you have a scar or a wound that you have hidden from the world? Note that God gave Jacob a limp. Unlike a scar or a wound, you can't hide a limp. It shows whenever you get up and move around. I think God wanted Jacob to limp with pride. It was his battle scar.

What's your battle scar? Have you accepted them for what they are and for the person they have made you? Have you allowed the pain of your wrestling match to grow you into a better, more compas¬sionate person? Let God unfold more of His beauty and grace and love in your life. Would you have it any other way?

God will take the lowest of all and raise him up. He'll take the weakest one and strengthen him. He'll take the most insecure and fill him with courage. He'll take the least and make him the most.  All you have to do is let him.

So, whatever your limp is, walk with it and don't deny it. It is who you are, and He is molding you into a masterpiece. You are who you are because of your painful past. God accepts you right where you are, limp and all.  I hope you do, too. 

"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has." - Billy Graham (1918-    )

[Judy Harder]

A Daddy Vacuum

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God . . . - Psalm 68:5

I grew up in a family where my father was always there for me. He was a good man. A funny man. A bedrock of faith with a compassionate heart. I was truly blessed to be born into his family. Some of you weren't so fortunate. Your father wasn't a positive role model for you. Or, your father deserted your family or died young. You grew up without a father, and just hearing someone refer to "dad" or "daddy" is painful for you. The void of that all important person in your life left an insatiable void within you.

The role of your father is so important that it can effect how you perceive God as your heavenly father. I hope that no matter how bad your experience was with your father, that you won't be afraid to see God as your father. Consider and take solace in the words of Psalm 68 promising that God will be a father to the fatherless.

A friend of mine who grew up without a dad says that she has a daddy vacuum. Is that where you are today? Do you have a vacuum of your dad, or your mom, or maybe your entire family? If so, cling to God's promise that he'll be a father to the fatherless. How that looks will be different in each situation. Some of you will take solace directly in and with your heavenly father. To others, God will bring a father-figure into your life to begin to fill that void.

If you have a daddy vacuum, pray for God to fill that void within you, however He chooses. If you don't have that vacuum, and you're a man who was blessed like I was to have a dad that loved me and was there for me, look to see if God might be calling you to be a father to the fatherless on His behalf.   

"It is much easier to become a father than to be one." - Kent Nerburn (1946-

[Judy Harder]

 Lesson From Jonah

But Jonah ran away from the Lord . . . - Jonah 1:3

I'm sure you're familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale (big fish!). The book of Jonah in the Old Testament is a short book with just four chapters. If you have ten or fifteen minutes, stop and read it through. It's a great story with a lot of lessons for us.

The thing that stood out to me about this story was that Jonah was bold enough, after hearing exactly from God what he was supposed to do, to intentionally do just the opposite. He got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.

That stood out at first because I thought to myself, "What a fool!  Who would do such a thing?" Then I realized that is what I've done time and time again in my own life. Haven't you? 

Look back at the choices you've made to try to do things your way. Think about the nights you've laid awake with a knot in your stomach, full of fear and anxiety about things that most likely weren't going to happen anyway. Think about the times you've chosen to numb yourself with food, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, or something else that wasn't really the answer you were looking for or needed. When you "sobered up" you felt a little more empty than the day before.

What Jonah needed to do; what you and I need to do, is to humble yourself and surrender our wills to God. It's a daily task that will grow a little easier the more you do it. Start today. Don't go through what Jonah went through. Learn from him.

"Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you've got it, you've lost it." - E. D. Hulse

[Judy Harder]

A Small, Brown Spot

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Luke 12:34

I was sitting in a meeting one morning last week when I glanced down and something captured my eye. It was a small brown coffee spot on my clean, white shirt. I couldn't believe it. I was bothered by it but really couldn't do anything about it. But my ADD mind was racing. "What if someone sees this?" "Will the stain come out?" "Do I have another shirt somewhere around here I could change into?" "Why didn't I wear a brown shirt?" 

It was ridiculous to be consumed with such thoughts. Looking back I laugh at it, but at the time, I wasn't. It's kind of sad the way my mind can obsess over things like this, and a rather sad example of what can be so important to us at times. Why do we focus on the negative aspects of life?  How many of us compare ourselves to others and worry we don't measure up?  How many times do we walk into a group setting and worry about what we are wearing and how we look, so concerned that it's the way others think it should be?   

What is more important? That my desk is organized and neat, or that I set aside time to be with the Lord? To make a purchase to fill a void inside, or to support the kingdom of God with that money? Would God rather I memorize Scripture, or apply it to my life?

What is your focus on today? Are you working to do a better job than the person in the next cubicle because you want to look better to the boss, or are you working to show them God's love in some way for their benefit? Is it on kingdom living, or on a small, brown spot?

"Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow." - Aesop

[Judy Harder]

David

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth - Psalm 145:18

We know more about the spiritual life of David than probably any other person in the Bible. The extensive record of his life and the Psalms he wrote show us that he studied and meditated on God's word, he fasted, and that his entire life was yielded to God's service. Two things he did stand out to me:  he worshiped and he prayed. These spiritual exercises renewed his spirit over and over again.

For example, David's first role in the king's court was as a musi¬cian. His ministry of worship touched Saul's heart, as it has untold millions of others since David lived. His worship is so powerful because it's a natural, unforced mixture of David's heart (when he is up and when he's down) with an unwavering faith in a gracious, almighty God. 

His prayers often begin with an honest confession of anger, despair, or frustration. He didn't hide his feelings from God and  he didn't pretend that he was "super-spiritual." Spiritual renewal flows from the freedom to be totally honest with God. Read Psalm 145 and you will see David's progression from anxiety and distress to faith filled assurance and confidence.

When you consider the worship and prayer in David's life, you soon recognize that being someone after God's own heart doesn't mean you never fall . . . it means when you fall, you look to God to restore your spirit, and you fall to your knees in worship and prayer. 

"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance." - C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

[Judy Harder]

Wise Counsel

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the Lord" - 1 Kings 22:5

If you desire spiritual growth, then you'll need wise counselors in your life. Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, recognized the need for wise and godly counsel. Turning to trustworthy counselors in times of confusion or uncertainty can help you preserve your spiritual strength. 

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon gave this advice, "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors, bring success." (15:22)  He also said, ". . . with many counselors there is safety."(Proverbs 11:14)

Where else can you look for wise counsel? Solomon's father David looked to God's Word, saying, "Your decrees please me; they give me wise advice." (Psalm 119:24) And the prophet Isaiah made it clear that the Messiah himself would be our great counselor when he came. He said, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) 

Jesus is the one who grants wisdom, hope, and purpose to life, even and especially in times of confusion or trouble. Good counsel comes from God's word and from godly people. It can come from professionally trained pastors, counselors, or from people who understand your specific issues and care for you. Whatever the case, don't isolate. You'll do yourself a great service if you seek wise counsel.

"Counsel woven into the fabric of real life is wisdom." – Walter Benjamin (1892-1940)