Love Worth Finding

[Judy Harder]

October 6

True Beauty

". . . even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4b

Are you a woman struggling with the way you look? We all know that women want to be beautiful, especially to their husbands and boyfriends, but so often women think that beauty is found at a cosmetics counter, on a dress rack, or in a jewelry box. Those things are corruptible, and what's in vogue today is out of fashion when next year's supermodels hit the runway.

The only thing that will make you more beautiful, day after day, is what you nurture within yourself - serenity.

The ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit is worth far more than even the most expensive jewel you can wear around your neck.

Stand in front of the mirror today. Imagine Jesus by your side, and ask Him to create in you a gentle and quiet spirit of love.

[Judy Harder]

October 7

God's Plan for the Man

"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15

God gave women a nurturing instinct, but God gave men a different gift and task—to dress the garden. God equipped men with a hard exterior to be the providers and protectors, and because of this, men want to be admired by women. I want to be admired by my wife. I get more blessing when she admires me and says, "You are wonderful," and she gets a blessing when I am romantic, loving, and tender toward her.

1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

How can you show your wife a little tender loving care today? Now that you've thought of something, go do it!

[Judy Harder]

October 8

Taming the Tongue

"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19

Your tongue can get you into a lot of trouble. There is nothing that can do more damage to your relationships than your words.

Proverbs 17:27 says, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words." That is, if you're smart, you won't talk so much. When you do talk, keep your words warm and sweet because you may have to eat them later.

There's an old saying I heard a Rabbi use once that reminds us:

"The ears are open and out. They're unguarded, but the tongue is behind ivory bars."

When you're talking, you're not learning.
When you're not learning, you're not communicating.
When you're not communicating, there will be no intimacy in your relationships.
In what ways has your mouth gotten you into trouble this week? Confess those times before the Lord and ask for strength and wisdom to be a better communicator.

[Judy Harder]

October 9

Inclining Our Ears to Hear

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22

Several years ago, the investment firm of E. F. Hutton had a slogan: "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." If only people had this respect and reverence for God and His Word! That is the kind of ear we ought to have for the matchless Word of the living God.

If you do not incline your ear, you might miss something! It has been said that God will not only hold us accountable for what we hear but also for what we would have heard if we had listened.

Do you take notes when your pastor teaches? Maybe it's time you started. It's a great tool for those teachable moments during the week with your friends and family.

[Judy Harder]

October 10

A "Know-So" or a "Hope-So" Salvation?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

If you think you're going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you've done enough. You will not have a "know-so" salvation. You will have a "hope-so" salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it's all by grace.

Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can't run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can't read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.

Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read "You Can Be Sure" for more insights on the eternal security of the believer. Just visit us at: http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dis_YouCanBeSure

[Judy Harder]

October 11

Thankful in Trials

"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people." 1 Chronicles 16:8

If you are a child of God, you ought to be able to thank God every moment of every day no matter what happens to you.

Have you ever stopped to thank God for the water that you drink? Did you know that in some countries in the world, the majority of the population doesn't have reasonably pure drinking water? Millions of people die annually just from water-related diseases.

If you wear a hearing aid, do you ever thank God for that? Some people wish they had a hearing aide.

If you are a student in the midst of final exams, do you thank God that you have an exam to take? There are many who wish they could afford college.

Do you thank God for your next breath?

Take whatever it is that looks like a trial in your life today and thank God for it! Thank Him every time the thought enters your mind to grumble or complain.

[Judy Harder]

October 12

One Plus One Equals One

"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:6

Do you know what's wrong with many marriages? Husbands treat their wives like a new car. When it's new, he shows it off; and then when it gets old and the paint fades a little bit, he trades her in for a new model.

Are you a married man? Then you are to satisfy her needs and share your life with her. That means all that you are and all that you have is for her! God's arithmetic is one plus one equals one! There's no part of our lives that we do not share.

Are you the strong, independent type? Then you're not like Jesus, who shared unconditionally and sacrificially with you.

This week, make it a priority to give something sacrificially to your wife. It may be your time. It may be a possession. It may be a word of encouragement that she needs

[Judy Harder]

October 13

Don't Be a Flabby Christian

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

I'm amazed at the little bit it takes to stop some Christians from accomplishing the tasks the Father has given them to do. This thing of being a Christian is not a Sunday afternoon stroll! Shining God's light in a dark world is a full‑time job.

We must pray over it, weep over it, and study over it to show ourselves approved. Most of us in America get up on Sunday mornings and sit in an air conditioned church with beautiful stained glass windows and sit in streamlined comfort. The truth is we're flabby, undisciplined, and exhibit no determination.

Friend, God does business with those who mean business.

Do you mean business in this Christian life? Then, begin something today for the building up of God's Kingdom to the glory of God.

[Judy Harder]

October 14

Honoring Our Parents Always

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12

Whether you are young or old, you can honor your parents. How? By showing respect. Leviticus 19:3 says, "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." Now that word "fear" doesn't mean to quake in the presence of your parents. That is, you are to have a holy respect for your father and your mother.

You may say, "But my parents are not worthy of respect." With all due respect, you aren't either. None of us are worthy. Only perfect children can demand perfect parents, and no children are perfect. Our parents are imperfect. We are imperfect. But God is holy, and He says that we are to respect our parents.

What's your relationship like with your parents? If you've been showing less than the type of biblical respect God requires, then begin today to turn that around for His glory!

[Judy Harder]

October 15

The Sun of Righteousness

"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings. . ." Malachi 4:2

Since Jesus is the S-O-N of God, He is also the S-U-N of righteousness. Let me tell you something about the sunrise. The sunrise never comes ahead of time, and it is never late. Isn't that right? The sunrise operates according to the power of God and the authority of God. You can't hurry it up, and you can't stop it!

It is the same with the Second Coming of Jesus. He is coming at a time known only to God. You can't hurry it up and you can't stop it.

One day the Lord Jesus Christ shall come with trumpet sound. He will pull back the shade of the night and pin it with a star. Then He'll open the door of the glorious morning of His millennial reign and flood the world with light.

Tomorrow morning, get up with the sunrise and praise God that His timing is perfect and that He is coming again!

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.

Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online.

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